6 reasons to try intuitive running
Running's not making you as happy as it once did? Intuitive running may be just what you need
Today’s world is run by technology, and the running world is no different. We’ve got tracking apps to tell us how fast and how far we’re going, heart rate monitors telling us how hard we’re working and watches to remind us that we haven’t gone for our scheduled run yet today. Intuitive running, which is sometimes likened to mindful running, gets rid of all that. It hinges on the idea that you should listen to your body and choose how far, how fast and how often you run.
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While some may think this sounds like a convenient excuse to shorten runs or skip workouts, others find it liberating, and have used this type of training to reinvigorate their love for the sport. Not convinced? Here are six reasons why you might want to give it a try.
It could decrease your risk for injuries
Many of us get injured when we push our bodies farther than we should. We ignore the signals our muscles and joints are sending us in the name of hitting a certain pace, sticking to our training plan or running specific mileage. When you practice intuitive running, you’re more apt to pay attention when you haven’t recovered properly or when you’ve got a little ache or pain, and you’re more likely to give your body the rest it needs.
You might actually improve
Your watch might tell you that you slow down on hills or that your last few kilometres are always your slowest, but it can’t really tell you why. Intuitive running forces you to pay more attention to what’s happening inside your body, and may reveal areas that need improvement that could solve these mysteries. For example, maybe as you’re running up a hill, you notice your form is deteriorating, meaning you need to work on your core strength. Or perhaps you feel your quads getting over-tired during a run and you need to see a physiotherapist to find out why. Fixing these issues will ultimately make you a better runner.
It’ll help you de-stress
The mental health benefits of running are well known, but obsessing over your weekly mileage, pace or any other data can turn it into yet another thing adding stress into your life. By leaving the tech at home, you can simply enjoy your run, stop worrying about how fast or slow you’re going and connect with the world around you.
You’ll have fun
Intuitive running doesn’t mean that you’re never going to run fast or far. It simply means that you’ll run fast on the days you feel like running fast, or go for a long run because you really wanted to that day. Running in this way is a lot more fun than slogging through a 25K training run because you have to.
You’ll connect with others
Do you ever turn down invitations to run with a friend because it doesn’t fit with your training schedule, or you’re worried they won’t want to run the same pace or distance as you? With nothing to track your stats, this is no longer an issue. Your friend wants to run a little shorter or slower than you? That’s fine, you can always go longer or faster another day. This newfound freedom allows you to make deeper connections with your running friends that previously wouldn’t have been possible.
You’ll fall back in love with running
If you’ve been training for back-to-back marathons or working consistently for years at bringing down your 5K PB, you may feel a bit burnt out, or like you’ve lost the joy you once got from the sport. Yes, if you have a goal race, a training plan is necessary to get you there, but if you’ve lost your love for running, intuitive training may be just the thing to help you find it again. Races and training plans will always be there and you can get back to them when you’re ready, but for now, simply enjoying running for what it is may be exactly what you need.
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