My very wise 11 year old nephew said something so thought provoking on our Thanksgiving Zoom call that really resonated with me. He said, “feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a gift for someone and never giving it”. I’ve been thinking about this analogy ever since. On a recent solo run, I began to focus on expressing my gratitude for running and the running community. I am sharing some of the uplifting ways for runners to practice gratitude for the sport they love.
Uplifting Ways For Runners To Practice Gratitude
2020 has sure been a doozy! This year has given me so many opportunities to be thankful and grateful. Looking to find some uplifting ways to practice gratitude for running? Try a few of these uplifting prompts on your next run.
Physical gratitude for your body
Thank your body for the gift of physical strength it gives you to run. Think about how you feel with each step you take and how that empowers you in others area of your life. Be mindful of how your feet propel you to explore new places and view beautiful scenery. Become of aware of the rhythmic beating of your heart and what that means to you.
Appreciate the fresh air
Opting outside and breathing in fresh air is something many of us might have taken for granted in the past. Running offers us an opportunity to take advantage of filling our lungs with fresh air. Be mindful of how that fresh air travels through you and how that makes you feel.
Enjoy the mental escape
Running so often provides a temporary. mental escape from work, family and the world as a whole. Something we all can be grateful for this year.
Gratitude for running friends and community
While we may not have been able to physically run together this year, the running community has continued to be a source of support for many of us. Perhaps send a message to a running friend and share how they have helped you get through a rough day and a rough year. Reflect on how you may have helped a fellow running friend. Sometimes that virtual high five or nod from a stranger out on the trail can make someone’s day.
“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a gift and not giving it”
**Program note- A few us plan to share our year in running 2020 next Wednesday. Feel free to join in if you wish**
Thanks for helping to make the Runners’ Roundup a huge success by visiting all of the hosts: Laura, Me, Debbie, Jen, Lisa
I love this post, Deborah! And you have a very wise nephew, haha! I’ll have to remember that one.
Your first point resonates with me – being grateful for being physically healthy. Being injured this year reminded me that I should never take running for granted. It’s a privilege. So many people would love to run but can’t.
As someone once told me: “I run because I can and I run harder for those who can’t”.
I feel exactly the same way!
That is a very wise statement from an 11 year old! I love the idea of expressing gratitude for our running. It really has helped us in so many ways this year!
It sure has been a life saver this year especially
In a year where there has been so much negativity, it is so important to focus on the good and be grateful for that. It’s been a tough year and running has been my saving grace, to the tune of the most miles I’ve run in years! Grateful my body let me do it.
You have had a stellar running year! I am so grateful to my body and what it allows me to do
I think gratitude is something we all should embrace on the daily, so it’s nice that 2020 has enabled many to see that 😉 I believe there is ALWAYS something to be thankful for, though it may not always be obvious. Focusing on the good is far more healthy (mentally and physically) than dwelling on negative circumstances…thanks for sharing all these great points 😉
I completely agree! Gratitude is something I don’t express often enough and I hope this year has helped me change that
I am SO grateful to running. I think I say it everyday.
I also know that it is important and many of my friends need that extra push.
I try to be flexible and run at their pace. I also plan our running outings each week.
It’s important to reach out to runners who are not out there to see if they need your help and if they are ok.
Of course, I am grateful to my fellow bloggers too.
Yes I am more grateful than ever for running and the friendships it has brought me. Including you 🙂
I agree with this 100%! Gratitude is something I don’t practice often enough but 2020 showed me there were a ton of things to be grateful for when it came to running. I’m especially grateful for my running and OCR community. They really make it so much fun to be a part of!
Yes I have also realized that I don’t show my gratitude enough and this year has taught me that
Have you read Deena Kastor’s book, Let Your Mind Run? If not, you would love it! She talks about the practice of gratitude and how it shaped her running. It’s one of my favorite running books.
I want to meet your nephew- sounds like he could teach me a thing or two!
I have not read that book yet! I will definitely add it to my list. My nephew is very wise for his age
I don’t think I was that wise at 11 years old ahahah I love this, I don’t run but I take long walks with my dog at night, I don’t appreciate the fresh air but I always take a moment to look at the stars, I definitely appreciate those
He is a very wise man for his age. Gratitude looks different to all of us and finding the appreciation in the stars is a good one
The best thing about gratitude is it can spiritually (and mentally) lift you up!
I’m laughing about sharing my year in running though. There was running, but no races, no virtual halfs (no thanks!). Not much to share other than that I’m still running, LOL!
Yes gratitude does have a way of doing that and we can all use a little more uplifting right now. BTW we all have had a crazy year in running but that’s what makes it interesting
I always say that running is a gift but it has been even more so in 2020! I’m definitely grateful to have running as an outlet and I’m glad that I’m healthy enough to keep it up!
I am more grateful than ever for so many things this year
After having Covid and returning to a small amount of running, I’ve learned to be more grateful for the things of running like fresh air and the mental space. No matter the pace or distance, those are wonderful parts of running.
They sure are so many things to be thankful for. Glad you are on the mend
I love this! Gratitude is so important in whatever we do. This made me miss running so much!
Thanks and yes especially this year.
I love these ideas! The fresh air really resonates with me because it’s often one of the things that I really enjoy (whether its warm or cold) and notice.
Yes me too! I like to be outside all year around
I love running, I love getting out and getting fresh air!! so much to be grateful for
These are so important and positive! Love this post!
I love this! Your nephew is very wise! #3 is resonating with me lately. Lots of stress going on so I’m really appreciating the mental escape.
I really do as well
I’m really impressed with the wisdom of your nephew. Thank you for sharing his insight! I couldn’t agree more!
I know very wise for his age!
What a smart nephew you have! He is so right and I sat in my chair thinking about it. I am grateful for running and for the chance to get run outside. 🙂
I know he is wise for his age!
I love this! Having a grateful heart makes so many things so much better. As a runner, I am so thankful for the friends and people we met along the way, and for being able to get out and destress in the fresh air. All those things are so important.
Yes they sure are and I am grateful that he made me think about it more