Breathing Tips for Runners

Breathing
Image: active.com

A senior director at an Oregon-based application development and support services company, Graeme Queen oversees budgeting and handles setup and management of offshore development. An avid runner, Graeme Queen has competed in multiple marathons as well as 5K and 10K races.

In addition to proper form and appropriate footwear, proper breathing is key to success in any running endeavor. Running coaches recommend that runners employ deep belly breathing while running instead of chest breathing. Belly breathing allows for deeper breaths and ensures the body gets the oxygen it needs to stay active. On the other hand, lung expansion and therefore oxygen intake is limited with chest breathing.

To practice belly breathing, begin by lying on the floor and placing your hands on your stomach. Take a deep breath, making the belly expand, then exhale all the air in the lungs until the abdominal muscles contract. As you breathe in and out, you should see your hands rising on the stomach. Over time, you can consciously employ this breathing technique during short walks, jogs, and eventually runs.

In addition to breathing through the stomach, runners should breathe through the mouth instead of the nose. The mouth is capable of taking in more air and helps runners achieve maximum oxygen intake during a run.

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How to Qualify for the Boston Marathon

Boston Marathon
Image: baa.org

Graeme Queen is an information technology professional who has mentored several coworkers into leadership positions in his capacity as a senior director. An avid runner, Graeme Queen is training to qualify for the Boston Marathon.

Because the Boston Marathon’s field size grew significantly throughout the 1960s, organizers instituted an official qualifying time in 1970. Interested participants were required to submit certification from their district or college coach or the Amateur Athletics Union’s long distance running chairman that they trained enough to complete the marathon within 4 hours. The qualifying time was shortened to 3 hours and 30 minutes the following year and continued to fluctuate for men and women of different age groups throughout the next few decades.

For the 2018 Boston Marathon, men between the ages of 18 and 34 must achieve a qualifying race time of 3 hours and 5 minutes, while men 80 and over are given a time of 4 hours and 55 minutes. The qualifying times vary by 5, 10, and 15 minutes for ascending age groups, which, starting at 35, are grouped by five-year periods. Women, meanwhile, receive an additional 30 minutes in each age group.

Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman in Breaking Bad

Aaron Paul
Image: imdb.com

A senior director of an IT solution delivery team, Graeme Queen earned his MBA from Portland State University, where he was a member of Beta Gamma Sigma. In his free time, Graeme Queen enjoys watching drama series and counts Breaking Bad as one of his favorites.

Aaron Paul, who played Jesse Pinkman in the popular series, won three Primetime Emmy Awards for his portrayal of the character. Paul won the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series award in 2010, 2012, and 2014. It was a breakthrough role for the actor who had previously never had a lead role in a film or television series.

In fact, one of Paul’s minor roles earlier in his career played a part in him landing the role of Pinkman for Breaking Bad. In 2001, he played a guest role as David “Sky Commander Winky” Winkle on an episode of The X-Files, a show for which Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan wrote episodes. Gilligan recognized Paul when he came to audition for Breaking Bad, especially because the “Sky Commander Winky” moniker was the nickname of Gilligan’s real-life college friend.

SSMO Foundation’s 2017 Valley Catholic Gala

Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon
Image: ssmo.org

A senior director of IT solution delivery teams in Portland, Oregon, Graeme Queen is experienced in areas of software development and infrastructure outsourcing. Outside of the office, Graeme Queen contributes to local non-profit groups, such as the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon (SSMO) Foundation.

Every year, the SSMO Foundation hosts a variety of fundraising events to support the educational services that it provides to the community. One of their most important fundraising events is the Valley Catholic Gala, which provides funding for Valley Catholic School’s operating expenses and financial aid packages for select students.

This year’s Valley Catholic Gala took place on Saturday, February 11th at Montgomery Park. People from the local community came together to celebrate the good work that the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon were doing in providing quality education at Valley Catholic.

At this year’s event two students spoke as representatives of the school’s student body. They shared the highs and lows of their experience at the institution. The night also included dinner, drinks, and a raffle.