Climbing - oh those hills!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

One habit I try to overcome on hill climbing is that when I don't pay attention, I begin to synch my breathing along with my pedal strokes- one whole in/out short breath per stroke. This is no good! When I catch myself doing that I stop it and start breathing more relaxed and deeply and slowly. When i do that it winds up being about 1/3 less the number of breaths, but much deeper breaths, and I feel like I'm getting more oxygen...my heart slows down and I relax more.
Pay attention to your breathing cadence and avoid having it synch to your pedaling.

[OakLeaf]

well, I'm going to have to disagree with that. Just goes to show everyone's different.

I find that I breathe much more efficiently both running and cycling when it's synced to my cadence. Chi Running definitely recommends syncing one's breath as a way of maintaining body awareness. Swimming, obviously everyone has to sync, like it or not. If you feel you're breathing too fast, try adding a pedal stroke - in one, out two; in two, out two; in two, out three; or whatever.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

well, I'm going to have to disagree with that. Just goes to show everyone's different.

I find that I breathe much more efficiently both running and cycling when it's synced to my cadence. Chi Running definitely recommends syncing one's breath as a way of maintaining body awareness. Swimming, obviously everyone has to sync, like it or not. If you feel you're breathing too fast, try adding a pedal stroke - in one, out two; in two, out two; in two, out three; or whatever.

Yes I hear you.
I guess what I mean is that when I absent mindedly synch my breaths with my pedaling, my breaths are way too quick and shallow. Then when I double the length of breaths and still synch them to the pedaling, I'm not breathing fast enough, even when breathing deeply and calmly. So for me, I have to just concentrate on my breathing as a separate rhythm and try to get the right breathing cadence that feels oxygen rich and relaxed.
We are all different, and I tend to have respiratory/lung capacity issues, so that's just my own experience.
But being aware of one's breathing vs. pedaling cadence is certainly helpful to find what's right for each person. It's something that's easily overlooked.

[GLC1968]

A very experienced (completed the Assault on Mt Mitchell 29 times!) hill climber once told me, "smile as you climb". It's really, really hard to tense your upper body when you are genuinely smiling. Unbelieveable, but it totally works!

Plus, it's fun to think how much you are likely freaking out car drivers or other cyclists who see you struggling but with a big ol' grin on your face!

[indigoiis]

Once I was going up a hill, into the wind, and I was shouting "that's right, that's all ya got? Come on, this ain't steep! Where's the wind???" when I thought I was alone. Then I got passed by some guy and he was grinning ear to ear. I am not sure if it was to breathe better or because he was laughing at me.

[jobob]

Plus, it's fun to think how much you are likely freaking out car drivers or other cyclists who see you struggling but with a big ol' grin on your face!

Sounds like the TNT Death Ride team - they've been climbing big-azz hills with annoyingly happy smiles. Gahhhh.

Dachsund is particularly good at that...

[melissam]

Sounds like the TNT Death Ride team - they've been climbing big-azz hills with annoyingly happy smiles. Gahhhh.

Dachsund is particularly good at that...

No kidding. I give you Exhibit A:



The jury will note that:
1. Dachshund (on Orange Seven) is smiling; it's not even a fake smile or grimace/smile.
2. The rider in the foreground (one of our coaches -- a very nice person and SUPERB rider) is NOT smiling
3. The riders behind Dachshund are at a considerably lower elevation
4. One of the riders in the background is walking his bike

I rest my case.

[jobob]

That is precisely the picture I was thinking of.

There are other photos (one on Sierra road comes to mind), but the point has been made.