Be Present When You Train
that’s runnable
The 33rd Edition of your favourite Running Newsletter
Something I don’t speak about as much as I’ve recently realised I should, is what we’re talking about today. We’re talking about the importance of mindfulness during exercise.
Something to Think About 💭
When you’re truly present during a run, every step becomes more than movement – it’s a conversation between your mind, body, and your surroundings.
Something to Ask Yourself ❓
Am I fully aware of how my body feels, moves, and connects with the world around me right now and when I exercise?
Article of the Week 📄
Mindfulness and exercise has always been something that has served my mental health. Both of them, together. So, have a read of this article if you don’t believe me.
Track of the Week 🎶
Been in Egypt… soooooo here’s a banger for you
This week’s track of the week is:
Lala by Shkoon (2018)
Personal Lesson
Eight years ago, I was at a pretty low point, searching for something that could help me make sense of my constantly overactive mind. That’s when I stumbled across meditation, and I became obsessed, not just with the practice itself, but with the theory of mind and broader ideas of mindfulness. I dove deep into books, podcasts, and articles, soaking up everything I could about how we think, feel, and process the world around us. Somewhere along the way, I came across the concepts of proprioception and neuromuscular coordination. The funny thing was, these weren’t new to me. I think I’d always intuitively understood them through the way I trained—but now, I finally had the words to describe what I’d been doing all along and was able to hone in on it as something that mattered for my training.
Since then, mindfulness and these concepts have become a core part of how I approach exercise, and honestly, I don’t talk about it nearly enough. I’ve realised how much focusing on the present moment, on how my body moves, how my muscles fire, and how my foot meets the ground, has shaped the way I train. It’s not just about running faster or lifting heavier; it’s about being in the moment and connecting with every part of myself and my surroundings. This kind of mindfulness has become a crucial piece of my training, and I’m realising now how much value there is in sharing it. Being present during exercise has transformed the way I approach movement and I think it might resonate with others, too.
Running – Life’s Metaphor
When you focus on each step, each breath, or each movement during exercise, you’re not worrying about the finish line or what’s coming next — you’re just showing up for the moment.
If you’re constantly stuck in the past or anxious about the future, you miss out on what’s happening right now, where real growth and connection actually take place.
Final Thoughts
I was training with a friend the other day and the coach in me came out. As we were doing an exercise, I shouted to him, “WHERE NOT HERE TO JUST GET IT DONE!” The idea of “getting it done” might feel necessary sometimes, but there’s a lot to gain from being present whilst you do it.
Mindfulness in training isn’t just about improving performance; it’s about creating a deeper connection between your mind and body. When you focus on the present moment, whether it’s the rhythm of your breathing, the movement of your legs and torso, or the feel of the terrain you’re running on, you’re not just moving; you’re engaging with yourself in a way that’s intentional and transformative. I like to see it as a reminder that training isn’t just a physical pursuit; it’s a mental and emotional one, too. By learning to stay present, you gain clarity, resilience, and a sense of control, not just in exercise but in life as a whole.
It’s in those moments of focus, when we’re completely in tune with ourselves, that we find growth – not just as athletes, but as people.
Whether you’re halfway through a run, or just about to do your final rep in the gym, try to be present, in that moment. You might just discover a new level of connection and purpose, one step at a time.
Thanks again for reading and subscribing.
Run the runnable, and keep showing up for yourself!
Tommy 🙂