The Mindful Runner

by Gary Dudney

Runners know there’s a profound truth behind the old Running is fifty percent physical and ninety percent mental. The Mindful Runner focuses on the mental side of running. It thoroughly explores the complex landscape of the runner’s mind, offering fresh perspectives on how to get the most out of yourself while enjoying the journey along the way. Do you enjoy reading about running but think you’ve heard it all? Then this book will delight and surprise you. Full of great stories, it offers new ways to think about running. Running can be a transformative experience, or it can just be great exercise with a tidy bonus of enhanced self-esteem and self-awareness. Learn how to maximize your mental game out there to reach your goals; you’re guaranteed to gain a greater appreciation for the rewards and possibilities inherent in running. The Mindful Runner builds on the author’s first running book, The Tao of Running, but broadens the focus to all runners going any distance, ensuring that you recovered with advice on mental strategies that apply in any running situation. Running is a great adventure. Make sure you’re not missing out on it.

Genres: Nonfiction

242 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2018

Reviews

[Laurel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Mindful Runner started out very focused on Mindfulness and studies of mindfulness. It seemed like it was exactly what I wanted. Then it seemed to shift into personal stories about running focused around the things you experience and think about when you run. This book was packed with stories from Ultras and Marathons and some Triathlon. It was not the book I expected but I did enjoy the stories and perspectives. Very entertaining.

[Mandy Naquin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, so this one caught me a little off guard!!! It’s more of a memoir than a running guide, which wasn’t exactly what I expected. But honestly? That ended up being kind of nice. I really enjoyed the personal stories and reflections. His thoughts on mindfulness, running, and life in general were thoughtful. It kind of reminded me how important it could be to just SLOW DOWN and maybe not focus on pace so much and remember to ENJOY the run!

It’s not full of step-by-step tips or training advice, so if that’s what you’re after, it might not totally deliver. But I liked it as a story.

Overall, a calm, reflective read. Not a “how-to” running manual, but it left me with some little nuggets of inspiration and perspective! Definitely worth picking up if you’re curious about someone else’s running (and life) journey.

[Bryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A blend of memoir and advice, this is a great resource with tips to keep you moving when the moving gets tougher. I particularly liked the exhortation to be more like your dogs--how excited are they at going outside? At getting fed? At any attention? Try to bring some of that to your own opportunities, not just for running, but anything you have the chance to do.

[Nate Steller · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and am glad I read it. Halfway through the mindfulness techniques gave way to memoirs of the marathons and super marathons which I still found super interesting and enjoyable to hear but wasn’t what was advertised or what I’d set out to read

[Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I nice book with fun stories and a very positive perspective on running. I listened to the audiobook version and it was read well.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this to listen to while I ran and really enjoyed the stories. I especially liked what it said about Big Sur marathon.