If you’ve been following along on my running journey, you’ve probably heard me refer to “sanity miles.” Today I’m breaking down exactly what sanity miles are and what they mean to me. I’ll also share some tips on how I got started running and how you can too.

My Sanity Miles Journey

Running has been an essential part of my life for the past ten years. My wellness journey has not always been easy, but it has helped me navigate many changes and stay balanced. Running allows me to slow down and process all of the things that life throws at me. Not only have I participated in races, but I’ve also challenged myself to reach personal goals through solo runs. For example, during the stress of the pandemic, I used running to ground me and give me something to look forward to. I challenged myself to a 4x4x48 Challenge to close unfinished chapters of my life and fully embrace what was coming. I dedicated each run to a person or people I was grateful for. Before each run, I journaled about that person and recalled 4 of my favorite memories with them. I started each run from a place of gratitude and made it my goal to be fully present during each mile. Combining mindfulness, journaling, and running has brought me closer to myself and brought me unexpected clarity throughout the years.

Mindful Running Tips

I’m grateful to use my platform to share my journey with sanity miles. I’ve shared my story and helpful content for starting your own running journey through social media and my blog. Here are some pieces of advice that can help you on your mindful wellness journey:

• Take time to stretch before every run. Being patient with yourself and allowing your muscles to awaken before you run will give you the best results. Read more about stretching for runners on the blog.

• Finding the right pair of running shoes is vital. Running shoes and thicker socks that support you for long distances are worth the investment.
• Choose music or a podcast that keeps you mentally engaged. If running in silence isn’t for you, the right music or podcast will help you stay focused and determined.
• Keep track of your runs with an app and a running journal. Encourage yourself with a bit of friendly competition and keep track of your progress.
• Get involved in the running community locally. Having people who will keep you accountable and motivated is priceless.
• Set goals for yourself. They don’t always have to be physical goals, either. For example, part of mindful running is prioritizing your mental health. Set goals for your mental health like regular journaling, reflecting, or being more present during your runs.
• Allow your body to recover after runs. Supplement running with healthy eating habits, good sleep, and self-care.

The Sanity Miles Shop

I recently launched some mindful running products to help others along their running journey. On the Sanity Miles Shop, you’ll find a running journal, and a deck of 100 journal prompts. When I started my running journey, I noticed a lack of resources and tools created with a focus on wellness and running. The journal was designed to be a place where you can document your mileage information and your running reflections. It encourages you to practice self-care as you move and connect with your mind and body on a deeper level. You can document 150 runs and use the included journal prompts to practice mindfulness as you reflect on your movement. The deck of cards contains an additional 100 journal prompts on four topics—reflection, looking ahead, self-care, and celebrating loved ones. These products were designed to be used together to help you on your journey of self-discovery through mindful running.