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And that can bring up a range of emotions, no matter the number of miles youre covering.
Inevitably, youre going to experience things that are uncomfortable.
So what to do about it?
One way to do this is by connecting with the world around you.
When we feel awe, we become more porous or open to experiences bigger than us, she says.
And you dont need to be in a particularly awesome locale to experience it, either.
Disengage from technology occasionally.
Were always talking about optimization and biometrics.
Use all five senses.
Thats enough, sometimes, to bring you into a different state of awareness.
Dozens of times per day, she reaches out to touch trees.
Give yourself a photo assignment.
Another runner,Erin Vandenberg, turned her Chicago Marathon training into a fun game of capturing nature.
I took a selfie-pop in photo on every run.
Switch up your scenery.
Or appreciate the everyday.
Redundancy frees us, in a way, to experience awe.
Many trails and paths pass bodies of water, and for good reason.
Sometimes, the water holds even more natural delights.
I run along a lake and look out for the beavers, Seattle-based runner and coachMorgan Jaldontells SELF.
No matter the climate, you’re free to likely spotsometype of critter if you look closely enough.
Delight your inner child.
To get there, Dr. Little imagines running with her two young daughters, picturing what theyd be saying.
They have this joy and presence and surprise, she says.
They are talking about the colors of the trees and getting excited.
Play an ABC game.
Another childlike exercise: Go through the whole alphabet, naming things around you that start with each letter.
This can stop your brain from fixating on negative emotions like anxiety and also help you appreciate your surroundings.
Give in to gratitude.
You cant feel gratefulandsad at the same time.
you’re free to also take a moment to marvel at your body and its capabilities.
As runners, we sometimes take it for granted, Dr. Bagley says.
Recognize that our bodies are awesome and allow us to do these things.
Finish with a grounding moment.
Added bonus: Learning to bring your mind to the present moment can pay dividends come race day.
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