How Meditation Upped My Running Game
How Meditation Upped My Running Game

Last summer, without getting into messy specifics, I found my world turned upside down. Or, more accurately, I chose to turn my world upside down. Unfortunately, knowing I had done what would ultimately be best for me didn’t make transitioning into my new day-to-day any easier. Fortunately, my oh-so-wise sister had just found a new meditation app (called Calm) and strongly suggested I try it. Initially, I resisted. Then, after acknowledging I did indeed want to improve my life, I indulged her.

I’ve always known meditation offers a host of amazing benefits, but it’s never felt like a priority. Every time I decided to give it a go in the past, I’d do it for two or three days, and then stop. But something about this app made it easy to stick with, and I’ve been a devoted fan ever since.

Within days I felt a shift toward more positive thinking. Within a few weeks, I began noticing a renewed interest in creative projects I had given up years before. Life began to feel more exciting and joyful than it had in over a decade. And just when I thought the benefits couldn’t get any better, I caught a glimpse of what meditation could do for my mental game. One hour into a 10-hour road trip, with nothing but sagebrush and a straight stretch of road to look forward to, I actually felt eager to take on the monotonous challenge. There was always something on the horizon to move toward, and I felt calm knowing that if I just kept breathing and staying relaxed, getting there would be no big deal.

Then, wonder of wonders, I caught meditation similarly impacting my runs. Cold feet? Tired legs? Just about anything that didn’t signal an injury or serious problem was no longer a big deal. If I just kept breathing and moving, I’d ultimately get to where I was going. That’s not to say that all runs suddenly became easy, but the more challenging ones certainly felt more manageable.

Things got even cooler when I realized how meditation was affecting my stretching. (That’s right, stretching – every runner’s favorite pastime.) On a day when my muscles felt about as pliable as cement, I stayed with a stretch instead of coming out of it. Realizing that wasn’t normal for me, I questioned why, on this day, things were different. That’s when I realized that under the random thoughts in my head, there was an inner dialogue running that kept repeating, “Just relax and breathe – the muscles will release…” And weirdly, they did.

As someone who isn’t terribly new-age-y, it was an odd moment; however, it was also the most in tune I’ve ever felt with my body. Not a bad return on investment for 15 minutes a day of quiet time…

 
 
Seen a lot of slim chicks posting their

workouts on here so I thought I'd join 

the fun
Warning : I will bully every one of you

into daily stretches, plyo drills, crazy 

intervals, lifting heavy weights and 

epic long runs
104 °F.....  As my Grandma says, 

"Marathon training ain't for p*ssies."



Crazy old lady is right.

New Featured eBibs

2 rest days in a row..  Omigawd I'm gonna be so  out of shape !!
Me contemplating wtf i'm going to do  with my life because it's raining and  i hate treadmills
Mile 22. I'm not saying I'm in pain... I'm just saying that Advil are my skittles now.
I am currently experiencing this run  at 15 WTFs per hour.
Santa baby, just slip a Garmin under  the tree for me; been an awful  good girl, Santa baby, a pair  of running shoes too, light  blue; Santa baby, I want  a PR... and really that's  not a lot... So hurry  down the chimney  tonight!
You know you're a runner when... you scoff at paying $10 for a movie ticket  but you'll happily pay $40 for a 5K that you hope lasts less  than 30 minutes.
UNPOPULAR OPINION: wine is better than gatorade
I have blisters on both feet, I might  have a stress fracture on my left foot, and my legs are so sore it hurts to walk.. But I got a shiny medal saying  I finished the race... Which is nice!
You know you're a runner when...  you've tried to convince a friend  to run a 5k with you because  "it's ONLY 3.1 miles."
Don't blame the holidays; you were fat in August.
I know it's Monday.. But where are we running next weekend?
People are so worried about what  they eat between Christmas and the  New Year, but they really should be worried about what they  eat between New Year  and Christmas.
Never say NEVER with anything  running related... "Never could  I run a 5k." ...DID IT! "Never could  I run a 10k." DID IT!  "Never could  I run a Half-Marathon." DID IT!  "Never could I run a Marathon"  ....DID IT!
You know you're a runner when...  You can run 6 miles nonstop and  still feel out of shape.
Honey, if you think it's tough getting  into a sport bra, wait until you try  to take it off after an hour  of sweating!
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