90 min run, first 10′ power walk, 40′ MAF-10, 40′ MAF
Doing the sub-MAF method for first half again. I’m liking this protocol as it allows me to run at MAF quite fast at the latter parts of the run where I usually falter.
Not sure if it’s the cooling, near rain weather, my improved aerobic capacity, strength training, or a new breathing method, but it feels like my MAF pace is faster now. It seems like things are clicking together. It feels like I’m on the cusp of something wonderful.
One thing I did discover is Wim Hof. He’s been around in the podcast world promoting his methods, and of course, with anything on podcasts, I have to take things promoted with a grain of salt. After listening to his latest interview with Ben Greenfield and Joe Rogen, I tried introducing the hard diaphragm inhale in and short breath out. Not as if I never diaphragm breathed before, but the difference now is the out breath. Before, I would purse my lips and force the breath out because of the knowledge that the body’s need to breathe is a function of the CO2 in the blood, not the lack of O2. But Wim Hof’s breathing method, I believe, is to super-oxygenate the blood by forcing more clean air back into the lungs and minimize the outflow as it reduces the time for new oxygen to get it. It’s supposed to increase the core temperature to help withstand cold better, but wouldn’t it be benefitial, too, for oxygen utilization?
So I was diaphagm inhaling through the nose for my usual 4 steps, then open my mouth and simply let the air fall out for the next 4 steps as the flexed diaphragm naturally relaxes. I was apprehensive at first thinking that my body’s reflexes will force me to push air out. But I was pleasantly surprised to find myself more relaxed and my HR dropping to MAF. Only thing now is the be able to diaphragm inhale subconsciously as my natural tendency is still to inhale into my lungs. Lung inhalation feels good at the release, but it elevates the HR as it places stress on the heart.
So is this increasing the oxygen intake or merely relaxing even more to help reduce my HR? I’ll have to test out this new breathing method more to see if it actually works. If it does work regardless of the science behind it, I’ll take it, as long as there are not deterius side effects from it.
theRUNS.net 