Sprinting
Sprinting is very short duration, VERY high effort running. Because of it’s nature, sprints are mostly — if not entirely — anaerobic efforts, and therefore are beyond the level where a breathing pattern is meaningful. Just RUN!!
After a sprint effort, it is possible to use breathing patterns to gauge recovery. The amount of time it takes to go from just gasping for air, to a 3-Step Breath pattern, then to a 5-Step, and so on, can signal how soon one can be ready for repeat sprint efforts (i.e., HIIT — High Intensity Interval Training). Tracked over time, the time it takes to recover from maximal effort sprints can be an indicator of increased metabolic efficiency and improved aerobic conditioning. Likewise, an increase in recovery times after maximal effort sprints might indicate over-training, illness, or other issues which may require deeper investigation or medical intervention.
Breath Runner rarely uses any maximal effort sprints in our training plans, and if and when it is called for, we always urge extreme caution.
It should be noted that with the extreme level of exertion required for maximal effort sprinting, the risk of injury becomes exponentially greater. Lack of appropriate warmup and/or strength conditioning prior to sprinting can result in muscle and/or ligament strains, sometimes even tears or ruptures. Also, due to the nature of sprint efforts, one approaches their maximal heart rate. This level of exertion can trigger unknown or undiagnosed cardiac issues, leading to severe health consequences, strokes, and possibly death. Extreme caution is advised, and at the first sign of ANY non-normal or unusual feelings, sensations, dizziness, disorientation, or vision issues, one should STOP EXERCISING immediately and seek appropriate medical assistance.
As always, it must be noted that one should always seek qualified medical advice as well as obtain medical clearance from one’s doctor or appropriate healthcare provider before starting any kind of nutrition, weight loss, and/or fitness program. The materials and content contained within the Breath Runner training programs, as well as our emails, newsletter, journal entries, and/or the Breath Runner website as a whole are for general health information only and are not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any and all specific medical questions should be presented to one’s own physician and/or healthcare provider.
