I know what it is to be mind-less. It’s when my attention scatters, unable to land on a single thought or task. Ideas drift in and out like clouds, weightless and unfocused.

When our mind is elsewhere, it disconnects us from our bodies, and from the moment we’re actually in.

My rituals help balance out the sway between both. I am constantly working on developing myself and understanding what I need at any given time. I know too well I can’t control everything but what I can, I do with a mindfulness awareness that benefits me in life.

As I move through my meditation practice, the similarities of running and meditation are becoming more apparent as the awareness grows. It’s this awareness that has made me a more mindful athlete and run coach.

As a society we need to start becoming more consciously aware of how we are feeding our minds. There are numerous ways (some good and some not so good) in which you can feed your mind to ensure continuous health and most importantly growth.

Conscious movement is how you improve your running, how to get through a 5km or even a 50km run; it’s how you understand how to further feel into the body.

As an ageing human I am becoming to understand with greater respect the workings of my mind, both emotionally and physically. It’s taken a long time to accept where I am at.

I have honoured myself with the acceptance of now as well as recognising the path I have run to get me to where I am now. I cannot change the past, but I can certainly choose how I move into the future.

Adulting isn’t just about ticking boxes; finishing school, reaching a certain age, being able to vote, moving away from your parents, getting a job/career, getting married, having kids or even suddenly everything that confused you now making sense.

One of the most important questions that you should ask yourself, particularly at this time of year is ‘what is the meaning of life?’ According to ‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’ the answer to the meaning of life is 42.

Meditation is a daily practice; a daily exercise to help find focus but not to stop the thinking mind, more to create space for your thoughts by just accepting them for what they are and then letting go of them; this is the practice.  

Monkey mind. Have you experienced it during a race? Even in training? You’ve heard the saying ‘get your head in the game’ and at times this is easier said than done because you have a mind swirling with thoughts, inner conversations and doubt.

We nourish those around us and most importantly ourselves when we tap into the energy of nature. When we adapt to change we gain a better understanding of our life cycle which is entwined deeply with nature.

We get it, you are feeling a little out of control at the moment so you need to control what you can control and not worry about what you can’t. Control your movements, your routine and most importantly your inner thoughts and conversations.

We all have our different coping mechanisms when life gives us lemons; some choose to suck up the sourness in life and others choose to make lemonade. I don’t know about you but I’m up for making lemonade.

Lockdown gives us time to revaluate, to find new paths from home not just a new series to watch on Netflix. It’s giving us the space to move our bodies, to find new energy and to draw on natures energy that seems to be the one flourishing the most during these turbulent times.

There is no such thing as balance and we don’t strive for it either. We strive for happiness. Peace. Contentment. But most of all we strive for adventure.

Stand firm on the ground in which you walk on, continue to be honest, authentic, mindful and most of all grateful. Appreciate the simplicity that life has to offer, not the glitz and glamour of shopping malls, fast cars, fast money and fast living.

There are some reads that sit with you long after you finish the final page. You feel a sense of loss when you put book on the bookshelf to longingly look at each time you walk past. These reads resonated with you at the time of reading; timing is everything right?