As I was running on the treadmill last night, it suddenly occurred to me why I still feel like running is difficult, even though I'm very quickly gaining endurance. It's not painful anymore, my stride is a lot more relaxed and natural than it was at the beginning, and it takes me a while to really get out of breath.
The difference, though, is that when I walk -- even when I walk really hard -- my brain wanders. As soon as my body finds its rhythm, I don't really have to pay conscious attention to how I'm moving. I just keep going, and my brain finds other things to do.
But when I'm running, I still have to think about it. Instead of thinking about the things I need to do when I get home or getting caught up in the lyrics of whatever song is on my iPod or brainstorming ideas for centerpieces for my wedding or deciding what to cook for dinner, my brain has to think about what my legs are doing and remember to relax my shoulders and pep-talk myself over the hills. I'm very conscious of every step, and I don't get to that point where my brain can wander off and let my legs go on autopilot. That's where the zen of walking comes from. I can get so distracted by other things that suddenly I've gone a mile before I realize it.
Guess I'll just have to keep running until I'm comfortable enough with it that my brain can stop babysitting my body.
About Me
- Jaye
- I'm an artist, convenience store general manager, Nine Inch Nails fan, and hopeless internet addict. And now I'm a marathoner! Blogged By Jaye is my general-purpose blog, and Fat to Finish Line is my running journal. Occasional foul language included on both sites.
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