Think of it as “passing”
There’s a really interesting article in the April issue of Runner’s World* called “The Zen Zone,” about applying Buddhist meditative practices to running, in order to quell all the crazy thoughts bouncing around in your mind while you run, and give you a stronger (performance wise) and calmer run. The article is not online yet, but I’ll make sure to share it when it is.
The article really intrigued me, for a few reasons. Firstly, several years ago, I spent quite a bit of time researching Buddhism. I think it’s the religious doctrine to which I could most closely align. So I’m always interested to see Buddhist principles applied to different facets of my life in ways I hadn’t previously imagined.
Secondly, I have been running without music since December and have recently gotten to a place where I enjoy my thoughts during runs, and quite look forward to that focused time. At first, I struggled to enjoy running without music to distract me, and my thinking was all over the place as the article said. And dark places too. I found negative thoughts I didn’t know I had! But lately, my thinking has found its way to a great place and been very clear.** The article suggests how to improve that even more, which I appreciated.
And finally, the inspiration for the title. This blurb:
While the blurb focuses on pessimistic thoughts while running, wow, it means so much more to me. Obviously, it can apply to pessimistic thoughts about anything, but really, I read that, and thought about all the funks I let myself fall in to. And how I need to think of it as something that’s just “passing” through. Let it run its course, and let it go.
This concept reminds me so much of an ongoing conversation I’ve been having with Bobbi. Sigh. I lean on my friends, uh… often. If you’re willing to listen, I’m there, spewing. So Bobbi’s*** been hearing A LOT about me trying to escape binge eating once and for all.
And we keep going back to the same concept – one “bad” moment does not have to turn in to a “bad” day/week/month (months – with an “s” – is more typical for me) – and you have the power over what that moment becomes.
I know. Very basic. But so helpful. Because how many times do we get caught up in an act and feel like we have no power? For me, it’s quite often. It’s scary when I am in the middle of a binge**** and feel I have no control over what I am doing, and can’t stop. But, I do have control. I’ll get there.
So, I love adding the “passing shower” concept to this “bad” moment concept. A “bad” moment – no matter what “bad” is for me or you (hence the quotes) – is just passing. Let. It. Pass. Don’t hide from it. Feel it out. But let it go as quickly as possible.
This sounds preachy, but I’m mostly writing the preachy parts to myself! Ha ha. If they help you too, that’s great!
What do you think of the “passing storm” concept? How do you get out of a really bad long storm that won’t seem to pass?
*I know. I know. I should be studying.
**During runs only, mind you!!!
***And lucky Anne, too.
****Quite a bit of food talk here lately! I do notice the shift. Let’s see where the blog goes with it…
Themocracy
This passing thing is what I think I first learned in yoga. When runs get tense I think of relaxing my body and my breathing, letting my shoulders roll down my back, just as i do in yoga. I too love Buddhist principles.
I love how you are taking this one concept and broadening your scope of application. Because it really has been a key factor in maintaining my overall path of health and wellness. And I am ALWAYS here for you to spew at 🙂
I’m also curious about your transition to running without music…that’s something I did by accident, but now I find it almost difficult to run with tunes (outside of the ones in my head – OFTEN I am singing something in there, haha! sometimes on purpose even!)…
I choose to be a happy person. That gets me out of most funks rather quickly. But it’s a deliberate effort. I’m trying to get my family to see that it’s WORTH the deliberate effort (which is tough, especially to children to whom FAIRNESS matters so much).
Thank you for being there. I appreciate it more than I can express!
I think the sans music transition was hard at first since I was forced cold turkey with the new phone. But I just slowly got used to it. I can’t believe I ran 18 miles Saturday morning just with my own thoughts! I was basically drafting out that morning’s post.
I would love to hear more about your thoughts on choosing to be happy and encouraging your children to do the same. Blog post idea? 😉 Or run conversation? Both?!
BLOG POST BY BOBBI!!!!
I remember a pretty dark time of my life many years ago that I held on to the phrase “The fastest way out is through.” It reminded me that the time/experience/problem was temporary and if I didn’t deal with thing, really deal, I would be seeing them again. Remembering that thing are passing gives good long term perspective in short tem struggle.
I love talking out stuff on a run. Thank you for listening to me spew ( and Bobbi too).
Running clears my head and makes me tired. That’s the part I love more than anything about it.
I like that phrase too. Will be adding it to my tool kit. We need a run together so I can hear some more spewing. 🙂
Yes, life seems to be full of “passing storms/showers.” I don’t know how to get out of a long storm, except to not be too hard on myself and treat most things as learning experiences.
I am currently in a weeklong funk that I can’t seem to climb out of. Just when I think it’s all better, the storm dumps on some hail and buckets of rain. So I have no tips. Usually when I get like this, I let myself feel like crap, allow small bits of pampering and make myself move on.
In terms of running, I do think things will pass. I’m a music-free runner and when things get difficult, I think about the little things or a tree or people who don’t get to run but would like to. Sometimes, making things less about me and more about someone else helps me gain perspective.
P.S. I always have terrible thoughts on runs – like getting hit by cars, falling into the icy river or getting mugged. Very disconcerting.
I hope this weeklong funk breaks early! The next time I’m in a funk I am going to facebook you and request Miles pics/vids. Because those always lift my mood 🙂
Oh gosh! Your terrible thoughts are scary! What do you think that is about? Mine are more terrible thoughts about me – I dwell on my faults… which is odd for me, because I hardly ever do.
I think I think crazy things (+ take a while to snap out of funks) because I’m crazy plus have a predisposition for depression and have to fight to not give into it. (I hate the idea of medicating my mood!)
And you are just like me – I totally look at Miles photos/vids when I’m having a bad day. I will take requests. And just a little bonus: This morning, he kissed his plane goodbye and gave Denali a hug. As for me, I got nothin’.
Great points. I don’t run with music either. Sometimes it’s my only quiet time. Hard to keep those negative thoughts at bay but I try to break down the run in segments when it gets tough. I can’t think about the entire task or I get overwhelmed. So I basically lie to myself to get thru. 🙂
Thanks for sharing this Kim! I like the idea of “passing storms” but I’m sure it would take a while for me to learn how to process things like that. I tend to get caught up in the moment and react (maybe I should work on this?.. haha).
I like to think of mistakes or lapses in judgment (however big or small) as learning experiences. There’s no use denying that something happened or making excusing but you can learn from every situation you’re in and every action that you do. Lately, I’ve even found myself analyzing certain interactions and thinking “next time, I should do things this way”. It’s a nice change from beating myself up about how something didn’t go as planned.
YES! Sigh. I am SO reactionary. And that is when I forget I have control. I want to try this “passing storms” thing out a bit. A little day by day… 🙂
That is a very healthy perspective! I am going to try that too. I can at least learn and get better for next time. Unless I say something that is hurtful and can’t be unsaid. Oops. Let’s hope not! 🙂
What a great post. I’ve actually been avoiding reading RW lately because every article and advertisement seems to be about weight loss which pisses me off because it’s supposed to be a magazine about running. why is everything always about weight loss in magazines??
I have a similar outlook- I try to always think of a bad moment as just that- a bad moment, no need to let it turn into a full day, week or month. As cheesy as this sounds I always say this to myself when something bad happens or I make a bad decision “Do the next best thing”
you can’t change what just happened but you can take charge and do what’s best next instead of letting it spiral out of control. that’s my 2 cents anyway!
xoxoxoxoxo
Do the next best thing! Love it! Man. I am happy I wrote this. You guys are giving me even more awesome tools to use.
Sadly, this RW article did have a stupid weightloss article in it, with awesome advice like “Drink a bit of Gatorade, but don’t swallow it, spit it out! It still has the same benefits.”
Face. Palm.
I get that people want to lose weight, because I do too, but I don’t think anything I read in one of these articles is going to be helpful. You know? I have to do the work. I know what to do.
Like Bobbi said, that’s awesome that you were able to look at this and see how it applies to more than just running! I tend to try to lump all the “bad” things that happen together and then list all the horrible things that have happened to me. Like last Friday! But being able to realize that they are just moments in time and eventually things will work out is a good skill to have.
The key is realizing that in the moment, right?! I wonder what we could do to think that way.
The mental aspect of training is so underutilized. I think this is a great strategy, but having a strategy, any strategy is critical to long-distance success.
LOVE LOVE LOVE this…so often I would let a bad day at work turn into a bad week, or even weekS! I am trying to take each MOMENT as it comes instead…<3
I read that article too! I found it very interesting for sure. I’m in somewhat of a funk right now, but I’m getting through it. I’m trying so hard to be in the moment.
Has your week been getting any better? 🙂
Yes, it is. My blog today was much happier! I felt like a “Debbie Downer” on my last post!!!
You weren’t at all. You gotta me real (imho). That is what I like about you. Well, one of the things.
Sounds like a great article, I like the idea of running without music and being able to enjoy it. I tend to run with music unless I am with someone and chatting…I guess that limits the time for passing thoughts although even with music I can think, ponder and come up with ideas. I have no deep thoughts on the passing thing, I guess we sometimes have good days and sometimes bad ones…
You are right, I do love this post!!! As you probably have gathered both in person and on my blog, this is definitely how I think of life. Although, I admit that I’ve had VERY hard times. I will say though, the easiest way to deal with a problem is to DEAL with it. So, if you’re having a bad day, let yourself feel bad and then MOVE ON from it. There’s a lot to be said for a good cry, a little bit of some self care and moving forward and seeing the good things in life to help you back along that path. 🙂
Great post! I try to remind myself that this too shall pass – whatever it is. The race or run will end… a bad day will end. I think it is ok to feel bad and to acknowledge it and move on. Also with mistakes – acknowledge, fix if you can and forgive yourself.
I am doing the 21 day meditation challenge (chopra.com) with Oprah and Deepak – only day 3 if you have some time (15 minutes/day). The daily inspirations on that site are awesome for bringing zen ideas into your life: http://www.chopra.com/dailyinspiration (Totally digging those)
Also, just bought the book by the author of this article if you want to check it out when I am done! http://blogs.psychcentral.com/mindful-living/2013/03/reinvent-emotional-eating/
I learned some of that from yoga, too. And I like the concept of moving meditation, which it sounds like you are engaging in. I’m sorry the binging is so hard. I think the world of you, binging or not.
Sounds like I need to get more in to yoga! 😉
Aww, thank you! I am getting better at it (as in, not doing it), that’s for sure!
I had a storm that wouldn’t pass, so i quit my job, and boom! it was gone. I think the easiest way to “beat the storm” (end the storm?) Is to throw yourself into something different. I have a lot of experience with binge eating that i don’t share publicly. If you need talk, let me know! <3
I am so happy you are loving the new job! I want to hear all about it! Oreos….
I’ve been learning how to meditate for the past several years and it has helped me a lot through very difficult times. My biggest inspiration is Pema Chodron. I have several of her books but the one I go back to again and again is “When Things Fall Apart – Heart Advice for Difficult Times” – it’s been a godsend to me ( http://www.amazon.com/When-Things-Fall-Apart-Difficult/dp/1570629692/ref=la_B000AP9Y2A_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1363248576&sr=1-2)
Hang in there – you are on a spiritual journey!
[…] beautiful friend Kim wrote a brilliant post yesterday about an article that inspired her in the latest issue of Runner’s World. I loved her […]
I was just doing research on meditation and meditation while running yesterday when you posted it. I hardly run with music and I find sometimes that I love having my random thought runs and it has helped me to run better. I know sometimes I have too much going on in my head and running only makes it worse so I am going to try focusing on my breathing and focusing my thoughts. Theres so much more I could say to this but its time for me to eat lunch! I also have started trying to meditate for 5 minutes when I get home from work to help me de-stress. Im not sure its working or what, but its a start.
That is great that you are getting in to meditation!
Well I definitely don’t mind talking to you about food. I wish I had had someone to talk to when I was really struggling with eating, so never worry about spewing about it to me 🙂
I’m not sure I could run without music by myself, but I do tend to tune it out for the most part anyway. Then sometimes it seems to bring me back – like today a song came on that was a slightly faster pace than I was running. It had such a strong bass line, I couldn’t help but run along with it. I didn’t realize I could go faster than I was until the music made me do it!
But I do really like the idea of things being passing like this. I read this yesterday during a bad “passing shower,” and that perspective really did help. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for being that person for me 🙂
Yes! I miss picking up the pace to fast songs. Hmm. Hmm. Maybe I should get back to the tunes. 🙂
Happy you can relate to this concept! I have been trying to remember it! (not that I forgot it – remember it “in the moment”).
I think it’s so hard to not let the moments pile on – I used be terrible about ruminating which led to more frustration. Like others have commented, the passing “shower” analogy is great, and I love how you connect running to bigger and (excuse the pun) weightier issues.
In terms of the crazy thoughts bouncing around, I actually like that aspect of running and I don’t ever run with music. I usually get to a mental place where I’m pretty calm while I’m running. When I don’t get to that ‘zen’ place, I know that something else is going on.