I've had entire marathons like this and it’s like a drug. You want to find it again, get that feeling, but you can't go get it. It just has to be.
There is something you said that stood out to me, but it's not about flow. It was this: Let’s take this list from the bottom up because it strikes me that feeling like your run has value is an essential first step. Not only to experience flow, but to enjoy the act of running itself.
In my mind, there are three types of people 1) People who enjoy the benefits of running but not the activity itself, 2) people that enjoy the activity itself and 3) those who enjoy both. I fall into the third category. I truly love being mid-run. It might hurt, it might be hard, it might be easy, it might be dreamlike, but not matter what, it’s the thing I love. I have friends who are always saying “I should start running to get in better shape, but I don’t like running.” My first thought is always “if you don’t like it, lets find something you do like to do and get you on that path to feeling better.” I wish I could spread my joy with them so they can see just how great it can be if you put in the work.
Excellent point about flow dependency or whatever term you want to apply. I went through a pretty rough patch several years ago where I finally had to come to grips with the fact that running will not save me by itself.
I agree with your assessment, and if I could add one other element to the equation it would be fitness. Someone brought this up to me a few months ago that running didn't become "fun" until they got really fit. I think that's the secret sauce. It's so hard and then it becomes less hard and then it's like, oh this isn't a chore. Actually it's fun!
It is and its also REALLY hard to change a mindset. I know people that are willing to start on their fitness, enjoy being outdoors and enjoy being active but their mindsets are always "I'll never stick with this. I'm not good at this. This is too hard to maintain. I'll always fail." Which is where my "lets find something you enjoy" thoughts come in. If you enjoy it, you'll keep doing it, but changing the negative self talk is harder than changing active habits.
Although I don't think I've found the flow, I definitely fit into #3. There are times when it's time to go running and I'm struggling to get going, but as soon as I get out there, my mood changes and I'm enjoying it once again.
I had to read this a couple times to understand it :) Do you find the flow when you run a similar route, or does mixing it up help with that? On the one hand, the same route becomes muscle memory and maybe easier to not think about the details as much. On the other hand, maybe the repetitiveness keeps you from getting into a different rhythm. I don't think I've been in a flow state, so something I'm curious about.
I think not getting stuck in ruts is helpful, but so is mastering the basics. It's not a linear thing, at least for me it's not. I realize that's probably not helpful!
Appreciate the response. I feel like this is a topic that is a bit more self-guided and not something someone can tell you: "Do X, Y, and Z and you'll find flow."
I've had entire marathons like this and it’s like a drug. You want to find it again, get that feeling, but you can't go get it. It just has to be.
There is something you said that stood out to me, but it's not about flow. It was this: Let’s take this list from the bottom up because it strikes me that feeling like your run has value is an essential first step. Not only to experience flow, but to enjoy the act of running itself.
In my mind, there are three types of people 1) People who enjoy the benefits of running but not the activity itself, 2) people that enjoy the activity itself and 3) those who enjoy both. I fall into the third category. I truly love being mid-run. It might hurt, it might be hard, it might be easy, it might be dreamlike, but not matter what, it’s the thing I love. I have friends who are always saying “I should start running to get in better shape, but I don’t like running.” My first thought is always “if you don’t like it, lets find something you do like to do and get you on that path to feeling better.” I wish I could spread my joy with them so they can see just how great it can be if you put in the work.
Excellent point about flow dependency or whatever term you want to apply. I went through a pretty rough patch several years ago where I finally had to come to grips with the fact that running will not save me by itself.
I agree with your assessment, and if I could add one other element to the equation it would be fitness. Someone brought this up to me a few months ago that running didn't become "fun" until they got really fit. I think that's the secret sauce. It's so hard and then it becomes less hard and then it's like, oh this isn't a chore. Actually it's fun!
And it takes years to build up to that point.
It's just really hard to get fit.
It is and its also REALLY hard to change a mindset. I know people that are willing to start on their fitness, enjoy being outdoors and enjoy being active but their mindsets are always "I'll never stick with this. I'm not good at this. This is too hard to maintain. I'll always fail." Which is where my "lets find something you enjoy" thoughts come in. If you enjoy it, you'll keep doing it, but changing the negative self talk is harder than changing active habits.
Although I don't think I've found the flow, I definitely fit into #3. There are times when it's time to go running and I'm struggling to get going, but as soon as I get out there, my mood changes and I'm enjoying it once again.
My sense is you are finding some form of flow as evidenced by the mood enhancing quality you describe. It's a broad spectrum.
I had to read this a couple times to understand it :) Do you find the flow when you run a similar route, or does mixing it up help with that? On the one hand, the same route becomes muscle memory and maybe easier to not think about the details as much. On the other hand, maybe the repetitiveness keeps you from getting into a different rhythm. I don't think I've been in a flow state, so something I'm curious about.
Short answer: Yes.
I think not getting stuck in ruts is helpful, but so is mastering the basics. It's not a linear thing, at least for me it's not. I realize that's probably not helpful!
Appreciate the response. I feel like this is a topic that is a bit more self-guided and not something someone can tell you: "Do X, Y, and Z and you'll find flow."
“Let it come to you.” This sentence resonated most for me.
Glad it did. I think it's the most important thing.