Meditation and running

10/13/22 • 43 min

Nita started running about ten years ago at the age of 48. At the time, she was severely depressed and found it difficult to even summon energy to get dressed or clean her teeth. It took Nita 20 weeks to complete the nine-week Couchto5k programme, but she did it! Since then, Nita has gone on to complete many long distance events, including half-marathons, marathons and ultra-running events.
Nita is diagnosed with bi-polar disorder and and she now describes running as one of the key elements in her self-care "toolkit". The other elements are: meditation, writing and medication.
This week, Nita has published her second book Make Every Move A Meditation - Mindful Movement for Mental Health, Well-Being and Insight (2022). The book brings together Nita's running, writing and meditation practices. For too long, she says there’s been a focus upon the need to take time out to meditate, whereas in reality, meditation on the move really does make sense. Particularly when it is applied to daily activities and fitness – including running.

Like Why Run? host Diane Church, Nita loves to run with her Labrador dog, who is called Scarlet. He has his own hashtag #ninetyninepercentgooddog . Nita Sweeney's first book is Depression Hates a Moving Target: How Running With My Dog Brought Me Back From the Brink (2019).
In today’s interview, Nita talks about a lonely childhood, a successful career in law that didn’t ultimately fulfil her, her bi-polar and how running and meditation help her manage life today. “I’m not cured” says Nita, "but running definitely helps keep me alive".
Trigger warning - please note that there are references to suicide in this interview.
Facebook @nitasweeneyauthor
Instagram @nitasweeney
Check out Nita's full story here

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Previous Episode

Self-worth and running

As a boy, Shakil was obsessed with football. He loved to play, but was routinely overlooked and excluded from playing for his community team. The criticism and rejection led to feelings of low self-worth and he lost a lot of confidence.
In his mid-20s, Shakil's friend introduced him to running. "I used to think it was boring, but it's changed my life."
Shakil says the difference between the football and running communities is like "the difference between night and day". Through Adidas Runners, Shakil has found encouragement, support and gone on to run in numerous Adidas events across Europe. This week, he is running the London Marathon 2022.
Adidas Runners describes itself as" is an international community comprising people from different backgrounds and walks of life, united by a desire to become better: better runners, better athletes and, ultimately, better humans."
Running has also given Shakil the confidence to pursue new opportunities. He is now a coach /sports teacher at two primary schools in a deprived part of south London. He has also volunteered at major sporting events, including the Women's Euros this year.
Running has given Shakil has purpose, confidence and he is an inspiration to others.
Check out Shakil's full story here
@Whyrunpodcast on Instagram and Facebook
@shak_active Instagram
Uneven Playing Field - Interview with Shakil about disadvantage in sport at: www.outdoor and active.com
For further information, visit: www.whyrun.uk

Next Episode

Prostate cancer...living for today...and running

Tony started running in his mid-40s to improve his physical health and fitness...only to discover he was rather good at it. Having always been competitive, he was soon entering events and went on to complete marathons in under three and a half hours.

Five years ago though, Tony experienced a sharp pain in his groin and on investigation, was told that he had terminal prostate cancer and was given two years to live, as the cancer had spread to his spine, neck and skull.

Such profound and devastating news changes life forever. Learning to live with prostate cancer...with the side effects of his treatment (which is basically chemical castration)... and finding any purpose in living....has not been easy.

With counselling and the support of his family, Tony has had to completely reshape his approach to life. He takes every day as it comes, lives every day like it’s his last and does all he can to help others.
This year, he is running 5k every day of the year to raise awareness of the importance of movement when you have cancer and is raising money for the MOVE charity. He has also completed many other fundraising initiatives to raise money for prostate cancer and causes promoting movement.
Since being diagnosed, Tony has also given hundreds of talks about prostate cancer and the importance for men aged 50 and over (45 and over if you are Black or have a family history of prostate cancer) to ask their GP for a PSA test.
Most of all, running helps Tony with his own mental health. Struggling with the side-effects of medication and his prognosis, running helps Tony clear his mind and re-energise. "I force myself to go out (for a run) and once I get back from my 5k, it lifts the veil of fatigue and I feel rejuvenated for the next four to five hours."
You can find out more about Tony on Twitter @ethansgrumps
Facebook as Anthony Collier
Instagram as tonyendurancerunner
#movewithtony
To make a donation, visit Tony's JustGiving page at: 5k365days

Why Run? - Meditation and running

Transcript

Diane Church00:00:06.150

Hello and welcome to series two of the Why run podcast. Each episode I talked to a different guest about how running has helped them through some of life's more challenging times. So whatever is going on in your life at the moment, good or bad, I hope that my guests will inspire you to put on your trainers and hit the road running.

Diane Church00:00:28.649

Hello, and welcome back to Why Run the podcast all about