Running and Yoga

So tonight, I decided to start running again after taking 2 months off. I do run, not fast, but I have been running for at least 10 years a few times a week. I wasn't running a Boston Marathon pace by any means, but I was keeping a solid 11:OO min pace. And, yes, I was fine with it. As I ran, I was clearing my mind, and as I ran farther I began to drift my thoughts to yoga. I found myself in my head wondering, has yoga changed my running? The answer was yes.

1. Running in a group v. alone. For the last four years, I have been running with a group. So much so, that I forgot how much enjoyment I get out of running alone. Running for the run. Don't get me wrong I like to socialize, but like yoga, when I run alone, I focus on my run. I am not worried about should we slow down, speed up, talk, stop...I am solely there for me, focused on my pace, my breath, and my thoughts. I do love my running buddy's, but remembering I can run on my own and enjoy it is powerful. Yoga brought that back to me.

2. Breathe! I found my breathing to be really regular in this run. No strain. No passing other walkers who were alarmed to hear my gasping coming up on them as I struggled by. When I felt the struggle in the run, I breathed through it. Much like being on my yoga mat. I found my edge, and push just a little beyond it.

3. Foot placement. I could feel my foot placement in my run, not too far up on my toes, not back on my heels. I felt my foot feeling like it was gently moving on the pavement, not pounding into it. I think this goes back to my yoga practice. Stronger ankles, stronger feet, and stronger awareness of my whole foot and how it engages with the ground.

4. Stride. My stride wasn't constricted. My hip flexors were open, my stride was open. I wasn't shortening it, it was just naturally elongating. When I ran, I thought wow those Warrior Poses make me feel strong in my stride and the Pigeon Pose balances that with stretching. My arms, shoulders and core are also stronger, making the running in general more comfortable as my body awareness is more alert.

As I was running, I was bringing my focus back to the run. Noticing the trees, ducks, and people around me. Glancing and smiling, while engaging myself in my own running practice. Enjoying the run, and what it brought me in that moment.

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