The Rise of Running

There is more to running than just running - if you don't believe me, you're running for the wrong reasons.

Running provides me with the freedom to think. It allows me to move from one thought to the next without hesitation. Running 1656+kms this year, I want to explain how running helps me stay stoic and present when life throws adversity my way.

Running is my form of meditation - it can be yours too. I'm going to share with you how someone with ZERO running experience can start running immediately.

Moving Meditation

Running is moving meditation. When my mind is settled I have the freedom to think clearly.

Contrary to popular belief, meditation does not have to be done sitting like a pretzel. The uncomfortable cushion, the crossed legs, the straight back and dead silence - forget all of that!

For 67% of people, that shit doesn't work. Some of us prefer to find calm WITHIN the fire, rather than put out the fire.

Why? That's life! It's more applicable to everyday situations.

Running allows me to find calm in the fire. The sweat, the salty eyes, the traffic beside you, the car horns, the dogs, the pedestrians - the list goes on.

Finding calm here is far more applicable to a life situation.

Meditation is Not Distraction-less

Meditation is NOT distraction-less. The idea you need to remain focused, clear-minded and never forget about your breath... again, Nah!

Distractions HELP meditation.

Read that again - it's completely different from the meditation narrative.

The goal of meditation is not to remain singularly focused - the goal of meditation is to notice thoughts without assigning feelings to them.

The ability to seamlessly move from one thought to another, without taking on the accompanying emotions IS meditation.

Every distraction from one thought to another is another chance to IMPROVE your meditation - another chance to notice without feeling.

Mind Open, Mouth Shut

Running provides time for my mind to be open and my mouth to be shut. This is the single best time for me to think with freedom - freedom to think and explore, without feeling.

In a world surrounded by distractions, how often do you get the time to spend time with yourself?

Better yet, how often do your get time to explore your thoughts?

Running provides people with a fast-paced mind and an anxiety default personality the chance to meditate, sort through their head and build a better relationship with themself.

Sounds like you? But maybe you don't know where to start. I got you!

More experienced runners, hold tight, I got you too!

2 Entry-Level Starting Points For Low Experience Runners

You've read this far so I can only assume you are interested in running. If you want to give this whole moving meditation thing a whirl, here are 2 starting points for you to experiment with:

• Walking ---> Walking run

• Nasal breathing

1) Walking ---> Walking Run

Running, put simply, is fast walking. If you're brand new to running, start with walking.

Over 4 weeks, increase your walking distance and speed like so:

Week 1 & 3 - increase your distance. Slowly build your distance by 5-10% each run.

Week 2 & 4 - increase your speed. To help monitor your speed, there are a plethora of free apps in the app store that provide you with live paces (Runkeeper is my favourite). I would suggest improving your pace by 2 - 5% per KM each time you run.

After 4 weeks you may be ready to introduce some running - start by jogging to the next landmark (a tree, a lamp post, a car, a driveway etc) then continue to walk. Slowly incorporate running into your walking

2) Nasal Breathing

Nasal breathing is a slightly more advanced technique. It requires you to use nasal breathing as a limiter.

Nasal breathing is running with your lips sealed, breathing in and out through your nose only.

Start running slow. When you have to open your mouth, slow down (even to a walk) and recommence running when you have nasal breathing back under control.

With this technique, breathing in and out through your nose will naturally limit your pace and distance. Listen to your body and it will show you how to build those running elements.

Moving Meditation Games

If you're a more experienced runner (or you've followed the above tip and are ready for something more), I have 2 running games for you that will help you meditate whilst moving.

1) Breath and Count

This is a simple game that requires a mild focus level.

Whilst running, start counting your steps. Once you have your step counting under control, I want you to introduce and follow rhymic breathing in line with your steps, as follows:

3 steps = breathe in

3 steps = breathe out

*repeat infinitely.

3 is a good number to start with. However, if you feel you have this under control, extend that number out to 4, 5 or however many steps you feel comfortable with.

As you get better at this remember: you want this game to take some of your focus, NOT all of it. If you're finding it difficult to keep up or you become short of breath - you're defeating the purpose. Drop it back.

2) Sunglasses Vision

With eyes fixed ahead of you, notice what is happening outside of your sunglasses.

'Look' ahead but 'notice' everything thing in your peripherals. It is a simple technique I used often to get that little overactive part of my brain harmonized.

There is More to Running Than Just Running.

Running has the potential to give your freedom of thought. Running allows movement of thought and is my meditation - it can be yours too.

Tom xoxo