Check out my progress on Zen and the Art of…Running
This week shall be remembered as the week of memorable runs. While Tuesday’s excursion was remarkable due to its unexpected length and refreshing nature, today’s run was exceptional as a result of the feeling of calm it caused.
I awoke this morning bright and early at 5:30 AM (about an hour earlier than my usual wake time), and the sun had barely risen above the horizon. The temperature was surprisingly cool—a welcome reprieve from this week’s blazing heat. As recommended to me by Runner’s World, I chose to run without Nadine the Nano this morning. The resultant running experience invoked a Zen-like state within me in that I focused on my breathing and just….thought. In psychological terms, I am a person with a “high need for cognition” (i.e. I likes ta think a lot). Accordingly, this new mode of running presents a welcome opportunity for me to ponder, without “Stronger” blasting in my ears (as fabulous as such songs may be). “Zen running” may not become an daily habit—contemplation can soon become rumination—but I’d like to remember to unplug every now and then.
Do you exercise with music? What’s your ideal time of day to exercise?
Another Zen-inducing activity? Cooking, of course. Check out what I cobbled together today.
I had to be at work at 8AM this morning, so I prepared another batch of overnight oats last night. Check out the overnight oats page for the recipe.
Lunch was a ho-hum packed meal—standard PBJ with various crunchy accoutrements.
In honor of National Eat Your Vegetables Day, I prepared a mondo salad for dinner, topped with a tofu-based dressing. The inspiration for the dressing came from Totally Vegetarian’s Tofu-Lime Dressing, but I substituted various other forms of citrus for my version. Keep an eye out for that recipe too.
Alright, I am off to relax/nap. My eyelids are a tad droopy from waking so early this morning. Good night!
Filed under: Meals
Caroline Yoder, dietitian-to-be and all-around foodie.
ohhhh i loved that book! and i forgot about it
i was in 12th (i think?) grade (or 10th?) and first ‘got’ the concept of mindfulness . . . sort of. i need to read it again!
No matter how cliched, ZATAOMM is really a wonderful book.
Beautiful eats as always!
that dressing looks really interesting!!! what a great way of getting protein
happy friday caroline!
running without music! i don’t thiiink i could do iiiit but i commend you girl
glad you found your inner zennified yogiunner hahaha
<3 overnight oats <3
I always run with just me, myself, and I! I used to run with an iPod… but one day it was charged so I did it by myself… and I love it! Its so peaceful; instead of ignoring my body and “zoning out”, I’m listening to everything its telling me and working with it to run faster and better! Running is best in the early morning in summer, and midafternoon in winter (I’m completely temperature sensitive, hahah.)
I love your dinner. It looks delicious!
Misty
tmtraining.ca
music is so important for running.. I can’t imagine running without music. Although sometimes I listen to podcasts but what motivates me the most is running electronic music
i love running early in the morning when it’s still dark and most people are asleep, without music I can just feel so calm and centered those are the best days!
I don’t work out with music, because I hate dealing with the earphones. I like music and all, but I’d rather it be coming from a stereo than blasted in my ears.
I love to workout with music in the gym. However when I am running outside I rarely do just because I hate carrying the ipod or the arm holder thing. Plus it’s kinda peaceful without music occasionally. Btw out of curiousity what kind of sandwich bread do you usually use. I’m looking for something new and maybe better nutritionally.