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!
Written by
UnfitNoMore
Graduate
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
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!
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.
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!! 😀
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!
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.
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.
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.
😁 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.
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.
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.
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!
😂. 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.
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!
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.
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?
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.
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.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
8:3, 4K, 🤒 38*C, 🥶, 🛏 
Week 8 Run 3
My 3 month runniversary/consolidation 7
CR 1 - disaster
First Consolidation Run
