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| *Vultures Knob>>>Cycling |
Breathing Techniques? |
From time to time I hear the term "Breathing Techniques" applied to cycling. Can somebody tell me what it, or they are? Or point me to a website that can explain what I should be doing? There's a few of them, but the basic one I use is to inhale and exhale in rythym with your pedaling. For example, if I'm going at a fast but steady pace where I'm working hard, I might meb inhaling for 3 pedal strokes - right-left-right, then exhale for 3 - left right left. If you've ever done any running, they teach the same thing. in, out, in, out trying to keep a steady and rythmic cadence with your peadaling. obviously not one for one but rythmic and steady. it helps keep heart rates down and creates a smoother ride for your insides, less cramping, all over body fatuige. These answers above are right, breath in rhythm to your pedaling. When riding very easy it won't matter. When hitting your AT or going fully anaerobic you will HAVE to breath as fast as you can this will likely be out of rhythm. Also, I breath through my mouth and nose 100% of the time. I remember back in the early 1980's, Ian "The General" Jackson came to the OTC to teach us his breathing technique. I thought back then that it was a bunch of hooey, and I still do. Some people swear it helps, but personally, I don't think so. It is my opinion that the benefits that some of its practitioners claim, is merely due to the fact, that by focusing on their breathing, they are better able to remain relaxed when riding near their limits. Remaining relaxed is crucial to being able to get the most out of one's efforts. If you begin to tense up and fight the bike, you will waste valuable energy. If some form of breathing technique helps you to remain calm under pressure, than by all means use it. But personally I think it's much easier when you're under pressure, to just remind yourself to remain calm. I always used to remind myself not to panic, keep my breathing steady and controlled, and focus on keeping the proper cadence and pedal stroke. Don't waste energy. This is something that we used to see Jan Ullrich do all the time. Whenever Lance would attack on a climb, Jan learned to just let him go. Not to try to match his accelerations, but to stay steady, and ride at his own pace. When you're under pressure you need to stay relaxed, you need to stay focused on what your body is telling you, and push yourself as hard as necessary, depending on the circumstances. Sometimes you need to go into interval mode, sometimes sprint mode, sometimes time trial mode. With training you'll easily know the difference, and be able to respond accordingly. Anyway, if you want to try some breathing techniques, it couldn't hurt. But the main thing to remember is just to stay relaxed, and keep your breathing steady. Your legs may be working like he**, but you and your breathing should remain calm. |
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