Run For It!

One of my favorite things in life is to run. Running is one of the best cardiovascular exercises you can do. Beyond the physical benefits, here are some more reasons it might just become your favorite exercise. These tips will help you to do this activity without you even knowing you are exercising.

Moving Meditation
Meditating does not have to be in a silent room, away from all the noise. One of the greatest ways I find that mental space is by running. I focus on my breathing and with each step I take, I contemplate nature, trees and the flowers. I listen to the noises, the wind and when I run on the beach, the waves crashing. I focus on what my body is telling me, what it is feeling. Running is a great way to be present and it gives you a sense of clarity when you are done. It becomes a spiritual practice that can make the physical come together with the mind and spirit.

Running With a Friend
One of my favorite ways to run is running with my best friend. It is what I call my coffee time. Instead of sitting down at a coffee shop to catch up, we run and talk and as time goes by, before you know it, an hour has passed. It is amazing for the soul, to connect with people you love, a great way to release stress and socialize.

Use your Headphones
I love listening to podcasts, sometimes music, or if I am on the treadmill even watching a documentary or a movie. Just make sure you are also focused on the road or not falling off the treadmill. Getting your mind off what you are doing helps in making the run easier and longer. I run at a slow pace which helps me to catch up on my work emails and return text messages.

Running Anywhere
After doing every type of training you can imagine, from boot camp, weights, yoga, Pilates, spin class, cardio, and tennis; there is nothing that I enjoy more than running and it is so simple. You can run anywhere, on vacation, at home, no matter where you are in the world – just take your sneakers, get out and run. Explore the city, the beaches, the trails, whatever it is you want, just run and have fun!