Game version
Pace-match pairs: run beside a partner and hold the same easy pace for a count of 60. Swap who sets the pace.
Breathing Rhythm Pace
Use your breathing rhythm to tell easy, steady and hard paces apart.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
Run easy and count steps per breath in and out.
Core: 60. Beat your own steadiest pace.
- Ages
- 11 and up
- Time
- 12 min
- Players
- Just you
- Space
- Yard or field
- Bring
- Loop
- Level · skill
- Developing · Pacing
The steps
How it works
- Run easy and count steps per breath in and out.
- Run steady for 2 minutes and count again.
- Notice the count drop as you go faster.
- Finish with 3 minutes easy.
Coaching point
Listen to your breath.
Safety: Warm up first. Stop if a muscle feels tight or something hurts. Pain in one spot that gets worse each run, or a limp: stop and see a doctor.
Make it fun
Play it, don't drill it
Challenge
Pick a level: Less (30 counts), Core (60), More (90). Beat your own steadiest pace.
Story
You are a metronome keeping a steady beat on the trail.
My best
Beat your own count
Beat your own steadiest pace. Only your own number counts: today against last time.
Practice makes progress
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