Let me start off by saying there is no scientific proof or any cycling research that has been done on this one, but what I’m about to share with you just might pull you through some tough riding.

Ever since I can remember, I’ve been subconsciously using a little breathing technique at times when I’m out for a ride.  It seems like it kicks in when I’m really pushing it and need a little kick to get me through.  It just sort of became something that I started doing, but I’m telling you….it really seems to help me catch my breath and give me the energy I need to keep going.

I’ve never researched it so, who knows…maybe this is actually something that athletes actually do. But I’ve never heard of anyone else doing this, so for now I’ll patent it as my own.

Okay, enough with the rambling….here it is.  If you’re looking for something to give your lungs and body the extra push it needs when out suffering on a ride, give this a try.

“The Loving the Bike Secret Tongue Breathing Technique”

It’s hard to see what I’m actually doing in this picture, so let me give you the run down.  There’s really not much to it. Simply curl up your tongue so that the tip is touching the back of your top two front teeth, and be sure to keep your mouth open slightly.  Breath in and out through your mouth for a little while….Yep, that’s it.

My reasoning for why it works is because the wind is absorbed through the bottom of the tongue and this hot spot sends it instantly to the rest of your body. Hey, but don’t go knocking holes in my theory….I’ve got nothing to back that up.  Maybe it’s psychological….maybe I actually stumbled upon something that will create a better cyclist.  I’m not sure.  But I do know that I catch myself doing this on pretty much every single ride, and I can totally see an instant change in the way I feel.

Give it a try and let me know if it works for you as well. 

I’m not sure if it’s been just plain good luck, or if being extremely conscious of taking in good whole foods is the reason…but I’ve been running on healthy and haven’t had a cold for longer than I can remember.  In fact, it has been at least a couple years or more since I had to take a day off of riding due to illness.  But those nasty bugs hit me earlier this week and were credited for me taking time off the bike.

It wasn’t an extremely bad cold, but enough for me to want to take Monday off from riding.  The next day, I felt better but still wasn’t sure if I should ride.  I have to admit that it takes an awful lot for me to convince myself that I shouldn’t ride, so I got on and took a slightly easier ride that day.  I could definitely feel the cold taking a beating on my energy, but it went pretty good.

But did I do the right thing by getting out on the bike?  Did it prolong the illness?  There is a famous line when it comes to cycling while sick and it goes:

If the illness is above the neck, keep riding.  If below, rest.

Mine was pretty much all in my head so according to this rule of thumb, I was doing okay. However, later on Tuesday night I could really feel the fatigue in my body and I was wondering how I was going to feel in the morning.  I went to bed saying positive affirmations and believing that I would be feeling great.  I woke up Wednesday morning not feeling miraculously cured, but I didn’t feel too bad at all.  I went out for another ride that day and Thursday, and took it pretty easy again.

I’ve always wondering if I would cure myself faster by just totally resting and letting it pass, or keeping active and toning things down a notch.  I still don’t know the answer, but I made out pretty well taking the approach that I took.  If I can offer any advice on what you should do about your riding when feeling a little under the weather, it is this…..follow the golden rule found above, and keep the following in mind:

1. Listen to your body, don’t push it more than it feels okay with
2. Keep extra, extra hydrated
3. Don’t be too macho to turn back if you aren’t feeling good
4. Take extra vitamin C
5. Be prepared for a very runny nose while you’re out there