Breathing through nose or mouth while jogging

Question
Hi John,

I jog or do fast-walking everyday.  Should I breathe through my nose or mouth (or both) when I am exercising?  I thought that breathing in through my nose would warm the air and filter the air from dust etc.  But I find myself not being able to breathe through my nose when I jog/walk really fast;  I have to breathe in/out of my mouth to get more air or something.  But when I breathe through my mouth, my throat feels dry and I feel like all the pollutants go directly to my lungs without any nasal filtration.  Do you think it is fine to jog while breathing through my mouth as long as I jog indoor on the treadmill?  Do you think I can breathe through my nose while jogging if I just try harder?  Any benefits or harm in breathing through the nose vs. the mouth?  Thanks for your time and help.

Answer
Hi Flora
Don't get caught up in any breathing nose or mouth science etc.Just breath and enjoy your run or walk.Your breathing will feel most comfortable when your walking or running in a very comfortable relaxed rhythm and as you move quicker you will start to find your breathing becomes labored,so all you have to do is just back off a little until your breathing feels comfortable.In time as you move forward with your training you will find that your level of fitness and breathing will move to a higher level of pace and comfort.I teach my athletes a formula world class and recreational a formula i devised call white line training to keep them on target to personal records.What it is the white line on the road.If you run or walk to far on the left side of the white line you will crash with the on coming car,but if you stay on the other side and close to the white line you will be fine and and your breathing will be optimal for a great run or walk and set personal records.The white line is the optimal BREATHING PATTERN and comfort area for personal records.If you want a more comfort run or walk just stay on the higher side of the white line.I hope you could follow this.The bottom line is as long as your breathing comfortable YOUR FINE when your walking or running.As you become more fit you will be breathing easier at faster paces.JUST ENJOY your run walk and don't stop ever and you will enjoy the highest quality of life.And this i know for sure.I started just like you 32 years ago with the same questions and have been getting out the door 7 days a week ever since with 24 marathons and about 600 shorter races behind me and for the past 27 years have coaching some of the most prominent world class runners in history.Flora anything is possible if you believe and as long as you keep getting out the door you will be rewarded beyond your expectations.This i also no for sure.

To your success Flora

JOHN