Running News Daily

Three ways gratitude can support you as a runner

Anyone who’s hosted a big Thanksgiving meal knows, that as tasty as the results can be, slaving over a hot stove isn’t the easiest way to show gratitude. So why do so many of us, year after year, attempt the near-impossible feat of bringing the potatoes to a boil just as the turkey (or tofu roast) is at its crispiest without scalding the creamed corn? The pure fun of digging into a fall feast with family and friends is a big part of it, but perhaps it’s the deliberate effort to express thanks that really gives this holiday its full flavour.

Deliberate expressions of gratitude needn’t be reserved for special occasions, of course. Running offers easy but effective ways to make deliberate expressions of gratitude part of daily life. Here are three ways that incorporating gratitude into your daily rituals can make running an even richer experience.

1. Gratitude can get you out the door on tough days

Whether you can hold a pace for two hours or 20 seconds, being healthy and fit enough to run any distance is something to be thankful for. The ability to run is something that’s easily taken for granted, however, especially during long stretches when we’ve been lucky enough to avoid illness or injury. Being aware of how sickness or a sprain can sideline even the fittest runner can help cultivate gratitude for our good health, and make us less inclined to squander the days we’re physically able to run but feeling less motivated.

You can make a habit out of expressing gratitude for your ability to run by anchoring it to part of your existing pre-run ritual. For example, it can be as simple as thinking the word “thanks” as you tie off the bow while lacing up your shoes. One way I’ve made a habit of expressing gratitude for being able to run is to make use of the wait for my watch to get a GPS signal. I use that time to think back to when I was sidelined for almost a full year because of a stubborn stress fracture, and how desperately I wanted to be healthy enough to run again. Making a consistent practice of reflecting on those long, frustrating months fuels my appreciation for being able to exercise and helps get me out the door every day.

2. Gratitude can help strengthen your awareness

Like good health, the variety of sights and sounds along a running route can be easily overlooked if we’re not paying attention. While we might not want to approach every run as a sightseeing tour—there are other elements of a run we may choose to focus on instead, like posture, pace, heart rate or cadence—gratitude can make us more aware of the landscape, whether external or internal.

One way to promote awareness as a runner and to make your outing a richer experience is to commit to finding one thing you’re thankful for during each run. It could be external (the sight of geese in formation or the rustle of autumn leaves) or internal (the fact you didn’t head out too fast on your easy run or that you avoided taking a spill on an exceptionally tricky technical downhill). Committing to look for one such highlight that you can later record in a running journal or note in the log of your running app will not only make you a more observant runner, but also make each run a little more memorable.

3. Gratitude can support you as a runner during your downtime

Anchoring expressions of gratitude to daily routines that aren’t directly tied to running can also support us as runners. Eating and sleeping habits can have a tremendous influence on how we run, and making a point to recognize their impact can promote healthier habits.

Taking a brief moment to express gratitude—whether in a secular or spiritual way—at the start of a meal and at the end of each day can develop a greater respect for the role food and sleep play in supporting your running health.