W2R1 counting and breathing at the same time !!!!

[Wantorun2013]

Well just did my first W2 run first in the rain and wind as well😂 bit tough at first but soon got into it until........ MJ told me to start counting my breaths 4 in 4 out l don't think so Mr J completely through me as lm concentrating so much on running and just breathing to make it to the end😂😂 so l ignored him and just carried on. Buzzing that lve done it lm actually 🏃 want to tell everyone but you guys are the only ones that know so sorry to bore you all with my euphoria!! Have a good day !! 👍

[Wizziewood]

Don't worry about the breathing ... and don't worry about being boring, you certainly are not! That's what we're here for, to share the good and sometimes the not so good runs.

Well done for completing the first week, you're well on your way ... and running in the wind and rain, a true runner!

As for the breathing, just make sure it's steady and even, in time the counting 4 business will make sense and just happen. More important is to keep your pace slow and steady and not worry about speed or distance. Trust in the program and you'll succeed.

Keep posting, keep smiling, keep running and good luck!

[Prudanced Graduate]

Oh yes I found that difficult too! I found I couldn’t count to more than 3 on the in breath, although I sometimes managed 4 on the out breath. That was on Sunday and now I have a cold, so is suspect that on my next run (not sure I can make it today) I’ll be even further from the 4:4.

I guess it’ll be a good way of measuring progress over time though, as I’m sure we’ll manage it one day!

[Wantorun2013 Graduate in reply to Prudanced]

Hope so don't want to upset MJ😂😂x

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Ignore him and carry on.

inexplicably the breathing advice ( which is not technically incorrect) and the heel strike advice (which would be disputed by 90% of running experts) has found its way from the old podcasts, first produced many years ago into the apps.

They confuse and worry many runners. I, like many, could not begin to get my feeble male brain to multitask, in respect of breathing, to such a degree and so resigned myself to the fact that I would never become an elite athlete.....hey ho.......but I kept running because I loved it.

Don't worry and don't heelstrike...........unless that is what you naturally do.

[Prudanced Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Oh I was trying to heelstrike after hearing that. I thought maybe that was how to be a bit less clumpy and more graceful. At the moment I often feel a bit like an elephant! So how should you land then?

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to Prudanced]

Heelstrike is the quickest way to aching knees. Try to land mid foot. If you naturally land heel first I would advise that you ensure that your footfall is immediately under your body, not out in front.

[Prudanced Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Ok, thanks. I have no idea how I naturally land. It’s good to have a bit of guidance!

[GingerBohemian Graduate]

W2 already !

That W1R1 was SOOOOOO long ago now wasnt it !

Dont worry too much about your breathing. That will just sort of click and come with time.

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

Don’t apologise EVER!!! Also, don’t worry about your breathing...just breath naturally & concentrate on just keeping going...eventually, as you move through the weeks, your breathing will sort itself out & you won’t even realise...well done on this mornings run & keep that feeling with you on your next jaunt 😊

[Hidden]

It's generally accepted on here that the running and breathing advice dispensed by he coaches seems difficult for most of us to grasp. I loved Mr Smooth as my coach but could never ever do the breathing thing. Funnily enough I still graduated as do hundreds of others! Breathing is a natural thing, no more complex than normal. Breathe as you usually normally do and you'll be fine...

[Hotheels Graduate]

I feel exactly the same as I too just completed W2R1!!!!

I want to shout from the rooftops but then my neighbours will report a madwoman in the neighbourhood....lol!!!

I too couldn't work out breathing in and out for 4 strides......so I just focussed in breathing as evenly as I could whilst bearing the pain of shin-splits and arch-aches.....to simply get to the end.

Well done you!!!! Keep it up!!!

[Tartiflette Graduate]

I love to read euphoric posts, keep them coming! Off to a great start to week 2 👍🏼👍🏼

[David_G]

Hi, for what it’s worth I never got the hang of MJ’s advice on breathing, so I just did my own thing. 😊 I graduated 3 weeks ago so I don’t think it’s compulsory! 🙂 Just take it slow and steadily and you’ll get there 😀👍