Alex Hutchinson, How mindful running can make you calmer and happier

[...] In some ways, Stulberg says, cultivating non-judgmental awareness of your thoughts is actually easier during running, thanks to the unique brain chemistry and physiological arousal associated with exercise, along with the built-in distraction of the act of running. That's great during the run, but to extend that mindset to the rest of your life is more challenging and may require the skills you develop during seated meditation.

Havey agrees. Her routine these days typically involves 30 minutes of seated mindfulness meditation followed by a run. Seated meditation, though, is a tough sell for some people – and mindful running may serve as a "gateway" that introduces people to the concepts and perhaps gets them hooked.

In the end, Stulberg says, citing the Tibetan Lama (and marathoner) Sakyong Mipham, running is running and meditation is meditation. "Both are great for you and they appear to offer overlapping benefits. Better to do one than none, but best to do both."

Source: https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/fitness/how-mindful-running-can-make-you-calmer-and-happier/article36508675/