I am a marathon runner, and terrible at meditation. I find running therapeutic and meditation tedious. I would much rather be out there moving than sitting down, trying to empty my mind, when there are so many other interesting things I could be doing.
However, there are increasing numbers of claims that meditation and running are actually the perfect partners; that one can complement and even improve your capacity to achieve the other. This does not involve adding meditation into your daily routine if you are a runner, or vice versa, but instead combining the two and actually meditating while you run.
Meditation, so I am told, is all about focusing on your breath and awareness of your body; putting away distracting everyday thoughts about what you're having for tea or tomorrow's to-do list – a cessation of thought in order to really listen to your body.
To me, that sounds like the opposite of what should happen on a run. To me, long runs are a great opportunity to think things through – I've written essays in my head while running before, remembered emails I have to send or tasks I have to accomplish, and worked through difficult emotional situations.
This is because, when running, I don't have the Internet or books or television to distract me from my other commitments in life. Therefore, using my running time to empty my mind seems rather counterproductive to me.
However, I decided to investigate the claims of running and meditation further by following meditation instructions on a ten-mile run. Immediately, it all felt counterproductive. The last thing I wanted to do whilst struggling up and down the Peak District hills was focus on my breathing and the feelings in my muscles.
I think about other things while running precisely to avoid realisation of my shortness of breath or muscle fatigue! However, I pushed through and I have to admit that after a difficult first few miles, I found the sensation of emptying my mind and, in a way, becoming my run, very calming.
I would hesitate to call myself converted to the idea of in-run meditation, but the combination of physical activity with mental peace was therapeutic, and I think I will try to meditate while running every now and again.
It would take a lot more than a single experience of calm while meditating to fully convince me of the benefits of meditative running over listening to music, or simply just thinking and allowing my mind to wander, though.