by Na’Tasha Jones, Co-founder and Chief Content Officer, RUNGRL

“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.”—Maya Angelou

Running by its very nature can be a tough relationship. It can be hard on the body, challenging to your motivation and grueling in its slow progression. But if you’re having a hard time learning to love running, perhaps it’s time you learned to let it love you, instead.

Get into these revelations on how an emotional connection transforms each run into a deeply enriching experience.

The Heart-mind Connection

We sometimes think of running only as exercise or movement. But when you make the decision to commit to a journey that intertwines the heart and mind, you can begin to discover a deeper heart-mind connection during the run. Soon, taking on those miles becomes a dance between the beats of your heart and the rhythm of your thoughts. By leaning into how this movement affects how you feel, you can better explore the therapeutic aspects, where stress melts away, and emotional well-being takes center stage.

Finding Your Running Joy

Running is a celebration, irrespective of pace or distance. Uncover the concept of finding joy in every step, turning the run into a testament of your strength. Whether you’re running to train for a race, running for weight loss, or simply to get healthy, avoid looking at running as a punishment or chore. Starting each run with a focus on what brings you joy can help connect the feeling to the action.

Running as Self-care

As Black women, we often face added pressures at work, at home, or even just existing. It’s important to prioritize mental and emotional well-being, and one way to do that is by making running not just an exercise but a ritual of self-love. Step into the realm of running as an act of self-care. If you’re stressed out or angry, mindfulness techniques can help transform each run into a moment of self-reflection and relaxation, helping release all that you’ve been keeping in.

Your phone doesn’t always have to be a distraction from your run, either. Use it to tap in to coaching that will guide your focus. Try a guided mindfulness run on your favorite running app like Nike Run Club or Asics RunKeeper. Head outside and let the fresh air and atmosphere build your mood as you pour your stress into the pavement.

Building Emotional Resilience through Training

Running isn't just a physical feat; it builds emotional resilience. Explore how facing challenges during runs becomes a metaphor for overcoming life's obstacles. Anyone who’s trained for a distance run knows the emotional strength you build while building physical strength and stamina as well.

The things you learn about staying emotionally resilient during tough training runs and on the day of your big race can also translate into lessons for everyday life. Here are a few examples:

-Know you’re going to have a busy week and work and may need additional mental recovery? Adjust your training schedule in advance to have an extra rest day.

-Didn’t hit the pace you thought you would? You finished and learned for next time!

-Avoiding taking care of yourself now will always show up in performance later. Prioritize your recovery and you body will reward you.

Things happen when you’re running miles on miles–and that’s OKAY. Each minor setback builds your mental and emotional resilience for your next run.

Running as a Form of Emotional Expression

Running can also be a canvas for self-expression. From your chosen routes to your preferred running fit, it's a way to outwardly express your inner emotions, expressions and style. Think of the last race course and the many different types of people there. Embracing your own uniqueness not only let’s you share yourself with the world, but it can also inspire those around you to be just as brave and expressive as well, creating that safe space, that “I see you” to others just like you.

The emotional connection to running goes beyond the physical, creating a tapestry of experiences that shape a unique journey toward wellness. As the rhythm of your run aligns with the melody of your heart, let your love of running transcend the physical to connect every mile to your soul.