your breathing don't lie

Ok, the first week of higher end aerobic efforts should be in the books...er, logs. As you evaluate your runs, how do you know the efforts were in the right aerobic range? The answer is in your breathing, and your breathing don't lie (I know that is grammactically incorrect, just roll with it).

As you focus on learning or executing the 80-85% efforts, your breathing will guide you if let it. At the highest aerobic end, you should just barely be able to keep your breathing under control. When you feel you have gotten to a point where your breathing is too labored, where your breathing is unable to keep up with the running, you are just crossing over into the anaerobic range. While all of that is not exactly correct on a scientific basis, it is a good 'layman's description and a great rule of thumb.

So, focus on your breathing, stay relaxed, and have some great runs!