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5 Reasons You Should Try Intuitive Running

By Jackie Veling

From the rise of intuitive eating to the practice of intuitive exercise, more and more people are tuning into their body's internal signals to make healthful decisions—and runners are no exception.

Intuitive running, sometimes considered an offshoot of mindful running, means letting go of all outside signals (think fitness trackers, coaches, training plans, pace goals) to dictate your running and simply running in whatever way feels good. Do you feel like running two miles today or 10? Does your usual 8:30-pace feel about right or are you in the mood to go slower?

If you've never tried intuitive running, you may assume that when left to your own devices, you would never make it over a couple of miles and you would definitely never push yourself to run fast. But you would be surprised what the body craves. Intuitive running is not about slacking off; it's about tuning into your body's signals so you know when to take it easy and when to push hard—but both can happen in an intuitive runner's training.

Here are five reasons to experiment with intuitive running the next time you lace up.

Intuitive running can help ward off injury.

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This is often the most touted benefit of intuitive running. By taking away the constant feedback of technological devices, you hone in on the only feedback that really matters: your body's. So as you blow past mile 8 and notice that right hip starting to really, really ache, you no longer can look down at your watch and think, "Wait, but I have two miles to go." Your body is telling you today is an 8-mile day and nothing more. Listening to these internal signals can prevent injuries due to overuse.

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Intuitive running can get you out of a funk.

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You might love running, but even the biggest enthusiast goes through off-periods where they just can't seem to motivate themselves. Every run feels like they're weighted down by bricks, and they never get that same high they used to. Often, this is from being too rigid in your training.

Intuitive running helps you rediscover the fun of running--after all, the only point of intuitive running is to run in a way that feels good. Want to take an entire week off? Two weeks? No big deal, according to intuitive running. Your body will tell you when it's time to race again.

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Intuitive running can help you identify your weak spots.

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When you tune into your bodily signals--and not the beeping and chirping of technology--you're able to more easily pick up on what's working and what's not. For example, a fitness tracker can tell you that you lost serious time on the big hill by your house, but tuning into your body can tell you it had little to do with cardio endurance (you were surprisingly breathing just fine) and everything to do with the strength in your quads, which were aching the entire way up. Looks like what you really need is more time in the gym and less on the road.

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Intuitive running can help you build confidence.

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If you feel doubtful about intuitive running, there's no better moment to give it a chance and realize just how capable your body really is. Many runners talk about leaving their trackers behind for a race, only to find later they set a new PR. The reasons for this may vary, but it's possible they were able to better manage their energy reserves while listening intently to their body. Knowing when to push and when to back off can help you feel more confident in your natural abilities as a runner.

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Intuitive running helps you stay present.

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In today's world, most of us spend the majority of our day behind a screen. Whether we're behind a computer at work or watching a movie with loved ones in the evening, it's become rarer and rarer to find moments that involve zero screens. By practicing intuitive running, you'll carve out a small chunk of time in your day that's technology-free. There will be no intrusive text messages or notifications from your fitness tracker to take you out of the moment. It's just you and the open road--don't be surprised when you have your best run yet.

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