Let’s first understand what mindful running is? With mindfulness being about bringing our attention back into the here and now. Being mindful involves paying attention to our breathing and physical sensations, also how our emotions and thought process are responding. For runners that includes not only their breath, but also their posture and gait, where are they looking or focusing while running, and their overall form?
It can be easy to become overwhelmed with our pace or the distance we cover. Mindfulness helps runners to keep the focus on the moment they are in and bringing their attention back to the moment.
How to Work on it?
Before preparing for it, spend some time bringing yourself into a neutral state by practicing deep breathing mindfulness exercises. Whether it takes 5 or 10 minutes, take that time to prepare your mind before you prepare your body.
Be a Mindful Runner:
- By running outside and not on the treadmill.
- By being aware of your body sensations and leaving the headphones at home.
- By practicing mindful breathing.
- By starting slow and building up.
- By paying attention to your thoughts.
- By paying attention to your landing.
- By acknowledging discomfort.
As you come to the end of your run, continue to engage in a mindful practice. While cooling down focus on your breathing, it becomes fuller and deeper as you recover. Listen to your heart as it begins to slow down, and feel your whole body.
Once you are done make some notes reflecting on your run. With the time, review your notes and observe how your physical and emotional responses change over time.
