Meditation session

[UnfitNoMore]

I do love the headspace app, it’s got me through quitting smoking and some dark times. I’ve loaded up some headspace guided runs before and enjoyed them. Today (after some shuffling of my plan) I had a mission of running 3.75 miles slowly. I’d plotted my route and loaded up the 50 minute headspace guided run to cover it. Target pace in my head was 12/mile so I was expecting to be done in 45 minutes or so.

Very interesting chat going on, with Andy from headspace, Nike’s coach Bennett, and a 3000m steeplechase female Olympian whose name I forget. One mile, pace good then two miles and it’s good still, at which point something strange happened. I wasn’t thinking about running, I wasn’t breathing hard, but I also wasn’t listening to them, I couldn’t tell you a word of what they said after 2 miles, I also wasn’t thinking of anything, I just followed the route around the park and to the car... I was effectively in a meditative trance. The other headspace runs had me really relaxed, but nothing like that, I’ve only ever experienced it sat down with my eyes closed in a quiet room before.

Overall pace was 11:52 per mile, mile 3 was the fastest by 20 seconds, I just don’t remember it. It was a truly magical run... 3.75 miles / 6.04 k.

I need another one of those!

[blackcatgib Graduate]

That sounds fantastic I’ll have to investigate that aspect of headspace 😊

I’m going to try something talky next time instead of music - wonder if I’ll be very slow if I get absorbed?

Well I’ll find out !

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to blackcatgib]

It helped me to stop thinking about running or breathing.

Headspace runs are on Nike run club app, Andy pops over from their main app.

[ForestGrump63 Graduate]

Sounds amazing 👍 how do I get the headspace thing?

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to ForestGrump63]

Headspace is an app in itself... it has some free beginners sessions, which will teach you all you need to know and are repeatable. After that you should be able to get headspace without the app, but they have guided ones on subscription, they’re not the cheapest but if it helps with life it’s a bargain. I payed £400 for lifetime.

The runs are in the Nike Run Club app and as with everything there they come for free... they range from 25 minutes upwards, so fit in with C25K plan from the end of week 6. They have other guided runs of all lengths, but I’d advise against them for the interval sessions because it’s too fiddly to load runs up every time you’re walking!

[ForestGrump63 Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Yeah I’m thinking ahead 6 weeks or so 😊 thanks

[antonioa Graduate]

Go you!!!!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to antonioa]

Yeah... so next year they need to do a 26.2 mile headspace run 😂

[Tartancat Graduate]

I want one of those!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Tartancat]

I’d been close before by dropping the pace and letting my mind drift... but not to the extent of today. You’ll get many mindful runs though, and you’ll love them.

[Maddee_6333 Graduate]

I wonder if it would get me through this very annoying broken wrist of mine...🤔

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Maddee_6333]

That would be some meditation! Making you forget it would not be good I guess.

[Maddee_6333 Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Accepting my limitations for the duration might be the way to go

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Maddee_6333]

I’m afraid so... but you’ll be back on it again pretty soon, with rested legs.

[Maddee_6333 Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

🤞🤞🤞

I wonder if they’ll let me on an exercise bike at the gym??

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Maddee_6333]

I can’t see why not... some health and safety police might have invented a reason, but logically it’d be safe. Give them a ring, they can only say no!

[Maddee_6333 Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

It is pretty much literally right next door. So I might drop in and sweet talk the manager.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Maddee_6333]

That would sell the idea to me!

[Sarakc Graduate]

I’m another fan of the Nike run club guided runs! I’ve tried out quite a few especially the headspace ones! I’ve managed to combine it with my Spotify music too!

Running commentary is another good podcast. Two comedians talking as they run!! I’m always amazed at how un out of breath they sound but they are quite experienced runners I suppose!! 😀

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Sarakc]

I love running commentary... I play it in the car for some reason 😂

[Oldlady57]

Seems like a nice place to be UNM, very tranquil👍🏻

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Oldlady57]

I’m just pleased the council didn’t have a path dug up, not sure I’d have noticed 😂

[Oldlady57 in reply to UnfitNoMore]

😂😂

[AceitGirl Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

🤣🤣🤣

[Latecomer]

I really enjoy reading your posts UNM - always exploring and surprising. I’ve got the Headspace app on my phone but never used it up to now - but now I will - thanks!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Latecomer]

Headspace rocks... it’s a bit strange at first but after a few sessions it clicks.

[Jell6 Graduate]

Sounds good, I'm going to have to do some reading around this.

Are you still road aware?

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Jell6]

I don’t know... I ran the course I had... all in the park so no cars to worry about. I didn’t run into anyone, so I guess I was aware of my surroundings enough for the park.

[jayval70]

Oh I can’t tell you how jealous I am. If only my brain would switch off for 5 minutes. It must have been an amazing run UNM - I am so happy for you. If you have any tips at all I would be grateful.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to jayval70]

The runs that have come close to today were pretty much a case of distracting the brain... putting something in my ears that I had to listen to and concentrate on, so I went podcasts and guided runs. I also took a call from little miss UMN’s school on one run, that was probably weird for the teacher, maybe on parents evening she will assume I fancy her 😂, but it was great for me.

[jayval70 in reply to UnfitNoMore]

😁 Hope you weren’t too breathless! She might report you 😂I have a couple of the Headspace runs lined up on Nike Run Club and intend to give them a go while I am consolidating. You never know - maybe I will reach a zen like state.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to jayval70]

I was a little... it was a few weeks ago... no police yet, so maybe I could be in 😂😂😂

[Fabulous450 Graduate]

Fantastic UNM!! 👌🏽👌🏽! What a perfect run! Our Andy would be very pleased that you didn’t hear a word! 😂! That’s what I call running. Brilliant! 😍❤️

Love the cartoon too! 🤣❤️

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Fabulous450]

Thanks... it was very strange... took a while to come back down.

[AceitGirl Graduate]

Wow sounds like bliss. You should coach me on how to get into that state too especially during running. Good on you for carrying on with your run. I am well motivated by you.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to AceitGirl]

I dunno how I got there... spoken word helped me get all relaxed on other runs, and I meditate with Andy daily sat down, for some reason the two experiences joined together today.

[sunshinefish Graduate]

That's great and amazing! I tried one of them on Sunday, was running with hubby who is doing c25k, and during one of the walks of his was listening so intently I actually forgot I was running with him ......cue some frantic twisty running when I realised I had to catch him up for his next run. Thank goodness he's not on here!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to sunshinefish]

😂. Relaxing that much does seem to summon the slow quite well, and we only need fast every now and then, if at all. I love these runs... hope you get another one soon.

[sunshinefish Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

I did a slow one last night with the girls. It was good! Recommended headspace to a friend too, hopefully they will like it.

[nbanbury Graduate]

Love this. The first time I did a Headspace run I had the same experience. It's like I floated for the last 15 mins of my run.

The second time I did one I sobbed my heart out when I got home. I'd had some rubbish personal news and the combination of running and meditative headspace chat released some locked away sadness. Felt a gajillion times better after it. Honestly it's like some kind of witchcraft!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to nbanbury]

Cool. I was worried that this wouldn’t happen again, I need more! Meditation has helped me many times, running makes me feel good, both together is awesome.

[MutleyShuffle Graduate]

Sounds like an amazing run, UNM 😊 I have downloaded Nike Run Club onto my phone especially to listen to the Headspace runs, but haven't tried them yet. After my next 10k race on Sunday I am thinking of having a week of relaxing slow runs before I start my HM training, so will try them out then. I quite like the idea of focusing on my breathing and body rather than switching off completely, is there a run to guide you with that kind of thing?

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to MutleyShuffle]

Yeah, I think the original one “run with headspace” covers that, and also your surroundings etc... very relaxing.

Have a good 10k

[MutleyShuffle Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Brilliant, thank you 😊

[sunshinefish Graduate in reply to MutleyShuffle]

It's the reason why I downloaded the nike app too! Can you let us know how the rung goes with that headspace MutleyShuffle?

[MutleyShuffle Graduate in reply to sunshinefish]

Will do, not sure when it will be though - my next two runs are with other peeps so no headphones!

[Beanjo Graduate]

That sounds like a perfect run UNM. Might have to try it out 😊

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Beanjo]

Can’t beat a relaxed run... it wasn’t long ago those words didn’t belong together

[Beanjo Graduate]

Absolutely. How far have you come? 👍

Not sure I’m quite there yet but certainly nearer than I was 😊

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Beanjo]

Hehe... well I think we are maybe around the same point in distance from the start... that was my second 6k looks like I’ll get to 8 by Christmas... weather permitting.

[Loubeloo Graduate]

Ooh, that sounds wonderful. That’s my next run soundtrack sorted. Thank you

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Loubeloo]

Enjoy!

[kellywet20]

Well... I've been looking for this post for so long, very useful information. I want to raise the question again regarding the information presented so as not to deviate from the essence and not to create links to this thread. It is important for me to understand why meditation replaces yoga? After all, there are different practices and I am interested in =acceptance powerful and guided meditation at meditationlyrics.com . Since I have not been able to become a parent for 8 years, it is important for me to find out if anyone has tried meditation for pregnancy. My husband and I want to become parents, we are ready to do it together to establish mental communication.