Breathing is so automatic that we almost never think about it. Yet a very simple variable can reveal a great deal about our physiological state: respiratory rate. Respiratory rate refers to the number of breaths a person takes per minute. Each breath includes an inhalation and an exhalation. Along with heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, and …
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What would it take for a recreational runner to complete eleven marathons in eleven consecutive days? For Renato Walkowiak, the answer was not just determination. It was also physiology, smart coaching, and a meaningful cause. In the summer of his challenge, Renato set out to run 11 marathons in 11 different cities across France. The symbolic number …
Read more “11 Marathons, 11 Days, One Purpose: Renato Walkowiak’s Journey with CHASKi”
How breathing patterns shift across ventilatory thresholds and what it means for endurance training, exercise physiology, and respiratory efficiency. Breathing is one of the most important physiological processes during exercise, yet it is rarely something athletes or coaches actively observe. As exercise intensity increases, the way we breathe changes significantly. Understanding the transition between nasal …
Read more “Nasal vs Oral Breathing During Exercise: What Happens as Intensity Increases”
Breathing is the most constant movement we perform throughout the day. Yet it is also one of the least examined aspects of human physiology. For endurance athletes and coaches, breathing is usually associated with ventilation, oxygen uptake, and the response to exercise intensity. But recent research suggests that something even more basic may matter just …
In recent years, breathwork has moved from yoga studios and mindfulness apps into the world of performance training. Coaches and athletes are increasingly recognizing that breathing is not only a passive process but also a trainable component of physiology. For endurance athletes in particular, the way we breathe influences efficiency, recovery, and the interaction between …
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In the endurance sports world, few topics have generated as much discussion lately as Zone 2 training. Once considered a basic form of “long, easy miles,” this intensity zone is now at the center of debates among coaches, athletes, and scientists. But what exactly is Zone 2, why does it matter, and how can athletes make …
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In our constant pursuit of unraveling the secrets of endurance performance, we’ve already explored the First Ventilatory Threshold (VT1) as the foundation of our endurance. Today, we’ll raise the intensity to understand the next physiological milestone: the Second ventilatory threshold (VT2). What is the Second Ventilatory Threshold? The Second Ventilatory Threshold, commonly known as VT2 or also called …
Read more “Breaking your limits: how to train and improve VT2 for high intensity”
As experts in physiology and performance, we know that endurance success lies in deeply understanding our body’s signals. Today, we’ll delve into a fundamental concept for athletes and coaches: the First Ventilatory Threshold (VT1). The First Ventilatory Threshold, or VT1, is a critical physiological point during progressive exercise. It represents the exercise intensity at which a …
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In endurance training, Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) has long been a trusted compass—an intuitive guide to how hard an athlete feels they’re working. But how reliable is this perception in real-time, especially under fatigue, heat, or glycogen depletion? More importantly, can we measure how well athletes are controlling their RPE, and should we compare what they …
Read more “Why Monitoring RPE—and Comparing It to Respiratory Frequency—Matters More Than You Think”
Success in endurance sports isn’t just about grit—it’s about precision. One of the most overlooked performance strategies is aligning your race pacing with your ventilatory thresholds. Whether you’re targeting a 10K or a 100-miler, understanding how each race maps to your body’s internal limits is critical. That’s exactly where CHASKi steps in. CHASKi is the first wearable designed specifically for …
Read more “Race Pacing Starts with Physiology: Why Matching Distance to Your Thresholds Matters”