When I run, I think of making the next hill, whether I can weather through my stomach cramps, whether I have enough energy to increase my pace, etc. Whereas sprinters just “do”, long distance runners is constantly thinking about running.
So for 30-40 minutes a day, I am not thinking of my monthly budget, my performance at work, my relationships with my family, friends, co-workers, what I’m doing the next weekend, week, month, season. In that moment, whatever worries I have in life are nothing compared to cramps, leg pain, and oxygen deprivation.
I spent $85 on a pair of Nike Free 3.0 so I can run as close to barefoot as possible. But no matter what shoe I wear, when I run I am too busy getting from point A to point B to be stressful.
The shoes free my feet. The running frees my mind.