Breakaway Coaching and Training

Had a great time at Eagle Creek and Kids Triathlon Greenwood this weekend. It's always exciting helping nervous first timers get their bikes squared away ahead of the race. See you at Muncie and Go Girl next! Kids TRI for Kids Triathlon Series Tuxedo Brothers USA Triathlon

Focus on breathing to make running easier.

We have talked about cycle breathing and why altering your breathing patterns can help prevent injury and increase running comfort. That was a great conversation, but is still leaves the question of why. Why does breathing increase with speed, and should I be focusing my energy on the inhalation or exhalation side of breathing?

Answering that question will probably change your perception on what is actually happening during respiration. Most of us are probably under the assumption that breathing rate increases because of an increased need for oxygen. In fact, our lungs are over-engineered for gas exchange; we are able to fully oxygenate our blood at rest.

As you work harder, it is true that you must deliver more oxygen rich blood to the working muscles. This is why your heart rate proportionally increases and breathing is able to stay stable and comfortable in zone two. As you work harder, your breathing becomes heavier and quicker. As you move closer and closer to your maximal work load that breathing rate can almost turn into panicked panting.

Here’s the thing. That panicked panting isn’t because you need more oxygen. It’s because you have excess waste your body is desperate to breathe off. There are free protons released from the molecular energy cycle your cells use to provide energy to your working muscles.

These protons increase the acidity of your blood. As the acidity increases, your body uses its bicarbonate buffering system to capture the free protons and convert them into water and carbon dioxide gas. This carbon dioxide created through chemical buffering is in addition to what is produced through normal cellular respiration.

With two sources of carbon dioxide dumping into your blood, the overwhelming job of respiration is to get the junk out! When we are panting during heavy exercise our bodies are not short on oxygen, they are working over time to get rid of carbon dioxide.

Because of the increased waste load in the bloodstream, it will improve your running if you focus on strong and forceful exhales while working above your threshold. Being mindful that the increased rate of respiration is mainly due to waste will help you stay calmer and more focused when your body is ratcheting up the panic and pain.

Let’s get the kids racing! I’ll be there for bike support if anyone needs any last minute fixes.

2026 — KTFK - U-Indy Triathlon/Duathlon — KTFK - U-Indy Triathlon/Duathlon 3982 S State Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46227 - University of Indianapolis (U-Indy)East Hanna Avenue and… - August 9, 2026

It can be bittersweet saying goodbye to a client. But today I am more than happy to say good luck to Connor as he embarks on his next athletic journey. Thank you for the opportunity to work with you!

Let’s take the kids racing!

2026 — KTFK - U-Indy Triathlon/Duathlon — KTFK - U-Indy Triathlon/Duathlon 3982 S State Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46227 - University of Indianapolis (U-Indy)East Hanna Avenue and… - August 9, 2026

Team Breakaway took the team coed win at Morse Park this weekend! It was a lot of fun racing a relay with clients and seeing first hand how hard they work. See you this weekend at Eagle Creek!

Last few weeks have been a blast! Secured a 2nd place overall at Potato Creek off-road triathlon and fixed a lot of bikes at Cicero Triathlon. See you at Morse triathlon!

Tuxedo Brothers DINO Triathlon & Adventure Racing USA Triathlon

We had a great time ringing the cowbell and fixing bikes so all the athletes could finish their race! Can’t wait until the next time! Tuxedo Brothers Ruble Racing - Events and Timing DINO Triathlon & Adventure Racing Kids TRI for Kids Triathlon Series

Community is an important aspect to endurance sport! Breakaway Coaching wanted to build something special for the 311 community. I just sat down and wrote the whole backstory of how the 311 Day 5k race came to be.

Link in comments!