When running, is it best to breath in through the nose? If so, why? What's the physiological advantage to it?
My son, 13 1/2 years old, is trying to get his 1 mile down to 7min 30seconds, and his taekwondo instructor is training him on a treadmill. She insists on in through the nose, out through the mouth. Which I've always disliked and quickly give up on. It seems very unnatural. When you're running all out your body needs to get as much oxygen as possible with each breath, and the nose just doesn't do it. It's also just one more thing to worry about.
But I don't say a word, because she's doing what I can't do, help ds run faster. It's working! He mostly loathes the experience and today it was evident that he was upset, but he's down to 8:30. It's good practice for me, not being a meddling mom, because I've realized that I do hold my kids back with low expectations. I still think she's pushing him too hard too fast and I especially think the in through the nose out through the mouth thing is a load. But it isn't going to kill him, it's just going to make him uncomfortable, right?
Running a mile in 7:30 is the last thing standing in between him and his black belt! He's doing a great job!
What do you think?
Edited by journeymom - 1/6/13 at 6:56pm
I've got excuses for everything, why my kid can't do this or shouldn't do that. Wow. It's every step of the way. I've got an argument for dh for almost everything. 
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