How to run mindfully
Running is a magical moment that gives me great relaxation and helps me stay present. It is the moment I'm so relaxed that I feel like I was in another dimension. Running helps me to stay present and focused, and see things clearly. I’m not talking about the post-run or the runner’s high effect, yet I’m talking about the feeling during the run. Some people have defined running as a form of meditation, and I agree 100% with this statement. While running, I often experience that my mind is free and empty, and I get completely immersed in my surroundings. Oftentimes my mind wanders and I forget about worries or issues to solve…indeed, it’s the best time to come up with new ideas or solutions that I wasn’t able to find before. My mind is so clear that if I struggle to find a solution, after a run, I see the same thing from a different perspective. This is a meditative approach to running and it cannot be applied to every run. In fact, not every run is the same; different intensities, different distances, and different purposes. When the run is easy and relaxing, I don’t have a specific goal in mind and have the opportunity to get immersed in nature and be connected with my body. On the other hand, during steady runs and speedwork, I’m focused on the workout, and I don’t pay too much attention to my surroundings.
So, how can you learn to run mindfully?
You can better practice mindfulness running if:
You run aerobically: stay in your lower heart rate zone and not focus much on the meditation factor. If you run aerobically (below your lactic threshold), your breath is slow, your body is relaxed, and after 5-10 minutes when you get the rhythm, your mind starts to wander. Body, breath and mind are aligned, and then it’s when the magic happens. You might feel better results during your long runs.
Run outdoors: I personally feel that running or exercising outdoors helps me stay present. I would recommend choosing a route in a park or in nature.
Activate your senses: Feel your surroundings: the cold wind on your face or the beautiful sun rays warming up, the trees and leaves changing colors during seasons, the blue sky on a clear day, birds or ducks in the lake, squirrels chasing each other and playing on the lawn…
Don’t be focused on pace or stats: Ideally, it’s the time that you don’t want to look at your watch and be focused on your pace. This is not a speed workout or any kind of workout that requires a watch.
Pick a solo run: for this purpose, a solo run is optimal, so you can be focused on your body.
Breathe and let it go.
When I first started running, I couldn’t understand it. I couldn't get the mindfulness of this sport. Over time, the more I ran, the more I got appreciative, because I noticed and recognized the benefits, and I also became more mindful and present. It’s a process that takes time, but I’m glad and thankful that I’ve chosen running as a hobby and physical activity.