Bye Bye Balaclava - Welcome Spring!

An experience with severe bronchitis as a high school runner taught me to cover my mouth when running in temperatures below freezing. I don’t like it, and try to get as many runs in as possible when temperatures are mild. The balaclava, by nature of making both inhale and exhale difficult, does develop good breathing strength. Proper inhale and exhale facilitates a proper forward displacement of the chest when running. This forward displacement of the chest allows for efficient and fast running. Focus on allowing your chest to rise upward and forward as you inhale. This is easily stimulated if you inhale through the nose. As you exhale, your lower abdominal muscles should tense, pulling you forward. To stimulate this action, force the exhale out through pursed lips.