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

... we don't give up around here.
That "Oh shit" feeling when you're  winded by your warmup
If you see me running around the block with multiple race bibs on my shirt it's  because I'm doing a 3-in-1 Have some respect  and look away
You ever been super cool with someone from IG and ain't seen them a day in  your life?
When I say I'm blessed it has nothing  to do with pace. It's all endurance baby!!
"every girl's dream is to get married" no lol, every girl's dream is to run  Boston
Anyone wants me fr? Going Once.... Going Twice.... SOLD TO THE  TRAILS       we outdoor!
TRIATHLON Why suck at only one sport when you  can suck at three
me: i'll stop at 6  miles: 6.08  me: whoa, looks like i gotta run 7
I was in a running store today and  this girl walked in, looked at me  and went "hello, where are  the Nike Alphafly Next%?"  like girl I don't work  here but aisle 8
bro, can you come pick me up? Where  am I?  Well I was on a runner's high  and I think I am in Ohio
Just changed my ig name to NO ONE so when I double-tap on stupid posts  it will say NO ONE liked this
PERSON: wow you ran 17 marathons 8 ultras, you must be so healthy!  ME: *caffeine-addicted*  *chronically tired*  *occasional binge-eating*  *shin stress-fractures*   "haha yeah idk it's just a  lifestyle at this point"
Nobody has seen you at your ugliest  like your running friends have
Absolutely no one: Me:
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