The Mindful Runner

Jill Whitaker (of the amazing running blog Jill Will Run) and I were tweeting the other day about mindfulness and the “zen” of running.  I spontaneously asked her if she would write a piece on that topic for my blog, as she has some experience with running, mindfulness,  and running for a cause.

Jill and her Mom started running after her  mom was diagnosed the second time with breast cancer.  They decided to run a marathon to celebrate her recovery and crossed the finish line of the 2008 PF Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in Arizona with a hunger for more.  Since that time Jill has run other distance races and has said she’ll never stop running!  She particularly loves the “Race for the Cure” series and even got to visit Washington DC to do the Global Race for the Cure.  She’s running the 2009 Las Vegas Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon to benefit the Komen Foundation, raising money via her website, Jill Will Run .  She’s asking people to donate $1 in hopes of seeing what can be raised without requesting huge contributions from everyone.  Emptying the “car ashtray change” can make a difference!

The Mindful Runner

by Jill Whitaker

Too often I feel as though I have a million thoughts rattling around in my brain.  I recently wrote about this feeling on my blog, Jill Will Run, and how it is similar to a bird trapped under a roof.  (I will admit the inspiration for that simile came from a book.  “The Thirteenth Tale” by Diane Setterfield is full of rich literary imagery.)  Running has become a very therapeutic way for me to “release the birds” and get my thoughts in order.

There is an important aspect I’ve been working on improving in my life that helps both the “birds in the brain” and my running: being more mindful. 

Instead of trying to outrun my thoughts, I use a run to observe my thoughts.  It’s a difficult task at times and I often find that I’m trying to fix the thoughts as opposed to simply noticing the different directions my brain is traveling.  When I catch myself, I try to remember to just listen and that through listening more answers can be found.

This personal observation and mindfulness is beneficial in many areas.  I think the general attitude of the world seems that we must always be on the go; planning, plotting, rushing and moving.  This constant buzz can actually prevent us from evolving as individuals. 

In January I experienced my first DNF (Did Not Finish) after tripping and falling in a marathon.  As I was trying to get medical assistance, sitting in the emergency room waiting for stitches, getting rocks dug out of my hands… all I could think was “How will I redeem myself? What’s next?”  And I think I actually delayed my recovery some by not allowing myself to focus on getting well.  I was too concerned with proving to the world that I am a tough runner and nothing can set me back.  My physical wounds healed, but my emotional well-being was damaged by not giving myself a break.

On an even more basic level, taking the time to rest mindfully can help with recovery from our everyday running and workouts.  Just sitting down and taking a moment to acknowledge that this rest is healing and is as vitally important to training as a long run or speedwork, gives the activity more focus and purpose.  (Yes, I’m going to say rest is an activity… simply because I need that label for myself.  Too often I’ve branded it as doing nothing and that just serves the purpose of making me feel down on myself.)

Mindfulness can be practiced during a run as well.  Take a moment to turn off the music and run on your own.  Notice your breathing, the world around as you run through it, the way your body moves and how it feels at that particular moment.  Do a mental scan from head to toe.  This practice can help you correct imbalances in your form, appreciate the power and grace of the human body and remember just how much you CAN do.  I have a friend who runs ultramarathons and she often reminds people that we are capable of doing so much more than we think.  When we let the negative thoughts get in the way, that’s the foundation where our limits and obstacles are built.   If you are constantly trying to block out the experience of what you are doing when running, how will you ever learn to appreciate the sport and what you are accomplishing?

Lastly, I think mindfulness can help us focus on our own abilities.  Turning our thoughts inward redirects our focus on our own skills at a personal level.  Instead of looking out at everyone else and comparing their pace and distance to our own, remember how far you have come and what changes and improvements you have made.

I challenge you to take a look inside.  Take stock of what YOU need, not what you think you NEED TO DO for everyone else.  Observe without negative judgment and remind yourself that it is okay to treat yourself kindly.  Then act upon those observations… keeping your thoughts mindful and actions purposeful.  You are worth your own attention!

Jill Whitaker writes the blog Jill Will Run.  Stop by and tell her “HI!”