Now that July is behind us, it is slowly becoming more evident in the early morning as I prepare for a run or walk with my ever-energetic Collies that Winter is slowly heading towards Spring. The dawn light is a little brighter and the sunsets are ever so slightly later and later in the evening. The slow fading of winter often beckons for me the chance to spend a bit more of the available daylight going for longer runs through the bush and the opportunity to start pushing the time and distance spent on the running trail. However, the most challenging thing I find about emerging from an imposed exercise hibernation over the winter period is being able to get back quickly into one’s stride; both in the literal and figurative sense.

Equally, the same challenge of getting back into one’s stride applies for when returning from injury. It is a slow, painful and awkward process of discomfort; a wobbly gait, poor or inaccurate foot placing and an inconsistent, rasping breathing pattern! That added to the constant nagging worry and fear of re-injury that could befall you any moment! Getting back onto the road or trail is a huge challenge for motivation, dedication and mental toughness.

Logically, why would one choose to experience pain or take on such risks? After all, it stands to good reason that we are pain-aversive creatures. We have an entire Central Nervous System and an automatic, unconscious nervous system (called the Autonomic Nervous System or ANS) to keep us from danger and pain free! It must be some kind of madness to put oneself through such pain and discomfort? Thankfully, the worst of the aching feet, legs and body doesn’t last very long. After some sweat, a few blisters and the odd thought of giving up, running, just like any sport, starts to become more enjoyable; the fabled “Runner’s High” being the commonly held description for the developed enjoyment of running, the eagerness to get outdoors and a sense of euphoria experienced during the course of a run.

A number of new Sport Science and Psychologically-based terms such a “Flow” have also started to enter the runner’s lexicon as well as the increasingly popular concept of “Mindfulness”. Both the Runner’s High and Flow have been called akin to Mindfulness; a state of heightened psychological arousal or awareness of the immediate here-and-now moment. The question has been asked through numerous articles in the popular press, sports magazines and blog posts on the internet whether running is, in itself, a form or meditation or mindfulness? Can running reap the same benefits as a period meditation?

Indeed, going for a challenging but lekker run will result in a sense of peace, relaxation, a loss of a sense of time, a heightened awareness of one’s surrounding and bodily sensations but unfortunately it does not, according to the research, equate to mindfulness meditation. Fortunately, mindfulness is a very useful tool to use in the preparation for a run or to help one get into the zone during a difficult run, particularly when starting out again or when bouncing back from injury. Remember all that awkward stumbling, rasping breathing and wobbly gait? Using mindfulness to focus your attention your breathing, planting your foot in the right place and clearing your mind of worry are all good skills that can be used to ease your transition back from injury or to take advantage of the longer days and the warmer weather as Spring approaches.

Part of your preparation to getting back on the road or the trail is about making time to be mentally prepared. Priming your mind is just as important as getting your body ready. In fact, being mentally prepared and using techniques such as mindfulness can help you to more readily face the challenge but also shorten the duration it takes to get being able to enjoy your running once again.