Runner's Best Friend? The Bushman's Blow
When I run, my nose runs and it runs even more in cold weather. I have this theory that it is because my head heats up from all of the splits, and minutes per klm calculations that I am doing (or maybe because the blood only ever reaches my brain when it bounces up there while I am running). This extra heat, liquifies the contents of my nose that would otherwise be a sort of antigravity consistency. As it thins down it drips down and makes a bid for freedom.
Now lots of people sniff, snort or wrap it all up in a handkerchief (tissues are a nightmare when combined with sweaty hands). But I firmly believe that if you love something you should set it free. So my aim is to get rid of the drippy mess as quickly and as far away as possible.
So here it is…the bushman's blow. It is a technique that I perfected while racing bikes. You may know it by another name, and I am sure I didn't invent it, but I fear that some people in the running community don't have this essential running technique at their disposal.
The aim of the exercise is to get the runny snot out of your nose and as far away from you as possible without losing your running rhythm.
Use my simple 10 point plan to the perfect blow
1)Choose a nostril
2)If it is the left nostril, gradually move to the left side of the path (opposite for the right)
3)Check that your rhythm is regular and that the path is clear (especially to your left)
4)Block up your right nostril with a finger trying to get as good a seal as possible
5)Breath in deeply
6)Lean your head slightly to the left
7)Close your mouth and blast the air out through the left nostril
8)Give your nostril the all clear checking for any hangers on
9)Glance down your left shoulder to check for friendly fire
10)Breath normally and then repeat for the right nostril
Now realistically, we all have bad blows every now and then and it can be a real nightmare if you are running with a cold or a flu. In fact I think this is a good check for if you should be running at all. If you are too sick to blow in a way that disconnects from your body, then the story is in the substance…you should stay in bed.
Over time I hope that you can practice and perfect the bushman's blow (old hands sometimes just call it a "bushy") while you are training. This will mean that you can use it in competition with confidence. Just remember with super powers come super responsibility. The bushman's blow is definitely a power that can be used for good or for evil. So you must always check that the coast is clear before you blow, unless you think you can outrun any potential victims.
Related Tags: running, running tips, runner, bushmans blow, bushy, bush hanky, running nose
Tom O'Leary is an Australian author and runner, currently living in Tsukuba Japan He recomends a carefully balanced mix of work, rest and play in order for runners to achieve their goals. If you enjoyed this article there are plenty more at http://www.runningmonkeys.com
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