4 THINGS I THINK ABOUT WHEN I RUN

As y’all know, I love to RUN! I love to talk about my running adventures, my running schedule, my running goals, how I fuel for my runs, and how I incorporate yoga and strength training into my runs. I look forward to writing more about these topics and sharing with you tips, videos, and inspiration.

But let’s start with something more whimsical, like what exactly goes through my mind while I am hitting the pavement. Is it a random question? Not really, as I get asked it a lot and I find it fascinating what other athletes think about when they are training. We are all different and have different goals and training schedules, but finding what makes people tick and what keeps them motivated is really fascinating.

Random Note #1 – When I do my runs on the treadmill, I do not have these same thoughts, as I am just all about the workout…pushing myself…building strength…and yes just getting it done. Treadmills are not my choice of training, but when the weather is crap and you need to work on sprints, intervals, and hills, I opt for the treadmill. There are ZIP ZERO hills in Charleston!

Random Note #2 – I am a Pisces. I dream BIG. I am emotional, artistic, and intuitive. So when you read about my running thoughts, they are very relatable to my sign and who I truly am. Running is when I let myself DREAM!

1. LOVE – MY RELATIONSHIPS – This is probably the topic that I think about the most. I am obviously in a much different place than I was almost two years ago. I am no longer single and I am head over heels for someone. I spend a lot of time with this person and I would not have it any other way. He is very special to me and I am grateful that we met. That he is in my life. The things that he does for me on a daily basis. Oh geez, I could ramble on and on about this, but that story is for another time and post.

Those above thoughts…They go through my mind when I run! I daydream about the first time we met…The first date…The first kiss…The honeymoon stage…All of our trips. They make me smile when I run, so why wouldn’t I think about these things. I also have thoughts about the times we struggle, because as y’all know, no relationship is perfect. We have our moments. We have our disagreements. It’s called life. So YES, these thoughts also go through my mind.

How can I be a better partner?

Am I opening myself up to this person 100%?

Am I holding back with my thoughts, frustrations, opinions?

What am I afraid of?

There is no other place I would rather have these thoughts than on the open road. It’s the perfect place for me to just let it out. To figure it out. And then work through it, when I am ready.

2. HOW CAN I BE THE BEST VERSION OF ME – I am all about self-care and taking care of myself. It is important to be selfish when it comes to YOU. When we take care of ourselves emotionally, physically, and nutritionally we are a happier human. When we are a happier human, we give off good energy and attract good people and good opportunities.

Running is ME time. I like to run alone. I like to take that time to disconnect from the world, work, relationships, and focus on my thoughts, my body, my mind, and the good and the not so good. And just like with love and my relationships I think about topics like:

How can I better nourish my body when it comes to training?

How can I be more available to my friends?

How can I practice more self-love?

What holds me back from being 100% FEARLESS?

3. BUSINESS GOALS – I try not to let this topic take up too much of my running time, as it is probably the most stressful. I can be a worrier and I am scared shitless that I won't be successful. But I am beyond grateful to be working with an amazing woman; to have a support system that spreads across this country; to work with brands and influencers who are just BAD ASS!

I do notice that once I do start thinking about work, my running steps can get a little bit heavier and I probably start to scrunch up my face more, and the overall run just doesn’t seem as fun. It becomes more like work...HA! But business goals are part of life. It is my income. It is how I pay the bills and for all that food to fuel this body. So it is a hard topic to avoid.

4. NOTHING – My absolute favorite!!! It is that moment for me when I honestly forget that I was running. It is silent. My thoughts are silent. I am in the moment. I am in the zone. I am flying. It is that runner’s high and then POOF it is gone. For me, thinking about nothing typically lasts no longer than 5 minutes, but it is PURE BLISS and that feeling is why I continue to run. I live for that NOTHING moment.

What do you think about when you run?

What thoughts help you run fearless?