Hi everyone. I have a question here.

I'm currently training for my first marathon. I'm also fond of long distance swimming, although my records a not yet too impressive: half-marathon running and 5km swimming.

There is a dilemma about breathing sequence for running and swimming. Is it OK that they are quite different? I inhale every third stroke while swimming, hence long gaps between breaths. And of course my breathing rate is much higher while running. Moreover, honourable Gordon Pirie suggests in his book that you shouldn't breath to deep and the shorter you breathe the better (together with rapid and short stride). I tried this technique - and it worked very well for me.

But the dilemma is: these two breathing styles (swim and run) have become essentially different.

Is it safe to use these two different ones or should I  try to reduce them to a common denominator, so to say? Should I invent and master some universal breathing rate? What do you say?

Hi Kuzyak,

You are up almost as early as me in the morning, although it is a day of rest for me today.

Regarding breathing I find that after a warm up my breathing pattern takes on the pace that I am doing, which thinking about it every second or third pace I'm breathing out. If I push my running hard I do conciously regularly take  deep breaths as this assists in increasing the oxygen intake needed for the increased effort.

Also if by misfortune I get stitch the forced breathing technique seems to get rid of it.

I do however

Hi Kuzyak, Derek,

theoretically when running you breathe on every third step (alternate legs) and for a short time, 400m reps, sprinting for the line etc, every 2nd step. However in practice just breathe when you want and as your lungs and cardiovascular system gets stronger you can take in more oxygen to fuel the exercise. Swimming by its nature means you have to be more controlled about it, but although this probaly helps strengthen the system i wouldn't try to replicate it in running.

Hi Andy,

Frankly, I always find it too difficult to think about syncing my breath to my actual steps when running. Just not enough mental capacity ;). Still I don't have any particular problems breathing any way I like when I run (although shallow and rapid suits me more).

My main concern is whether it is possible at all to effectively train your body to be comfortable with such different breathing patterns. It may be OK at this stage, but I'm planning to increase speeds and distances dramatically. And what happens then?

I suppose some triathletes must have faced similar problems.

Hi Derek,

It's not that I was awake early - I was STILL awake at that time )

Thanks for your advice about stitches and forced breathing. I will definitely try it cause I get stitches quite regularly somewhere at 10k.