I instantly feel at home running near water.
It could be running a loop of a lake or crossing a whale of a river bisecting a city. Exploring endless coastlines or stumbling upon temporarily flooded fields. One can’t help but marvel in the magic and might of water. Mysterious and ferocious in equal measure. Nourishing for all the senses.
It’s no surprise a special relationship exists between runners and water…
Out in the open world most water is on a journey. Just as it runs, so do we.
Many of my happiest times outdoors have been running by the sea and following bendy rivers, so I thought I’d pass the feeling on in the form of this weekly Joy Run theme.
How to run this theme: water
Hopefully you will encounter a few different bodies of water in the course of your week.
It could be:
- following the bends of a river
- listening to birdsong on the banks
- a kaleidoscope of reflective colour at dusk or dawn
- deeper investigations in rock pools
- a serene stream through meadows
- a new city vantage point on a bridge
- embracing a run in the rain
- retracing childhood holidays on the canals
- running by the sea on coastal paths
Or simply head out for a free range run and see what water-based fun finds you.
Remember to post your runs and on Instagram and/or TikTok, tagging in Joy Runs. You can also share how you found this Joy Run theme and how it made you feel in the comments box below.
I’m excited to see where this week’s theme takes you!
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Where a joy of running by the sea took me
The East & North East coast.
I regularly make the trip to the seaside, running along different coastal paths and beaches, having made a pact to visit a beach at least once a month in my adult life. It’s a love affair that steps up over summer when the weather is much better. Living on an island shaped by the sea does have its benefits.
I find there’s something extra special about being the first person on a beach.
I’ve always been an early riser and loved running on untouched sand. Not knowing what treasures the sea has thrown up or the exact nature of your backdrop. Equally, I’ll be ready to run anytime the mood strikes, such as the sight of this double rainbow after a prolonged storm.
Water is a constant source of inspiration and surprises.
Running by the sea is a mini adventure. A single outing can bring rugged coastlines, calm rock pools, smugglers caves, sandy beaches, the changing shapes and sizes of waves crashing shoreward, colourful beach huts, puffins and wartime pillboxes, not to mention the after run reward of fish and chips. Paradise for curious souls.
Caught in a runner’s trance by the sea
One of my geekier hobbies carried into adulthood is beachcombing. It involves scanning the sand for anything that catches my eye, collecting shells and sea glass as I go. I find it so therapeutic, I can easily lose hours mindful running and combing on an empty beach at an easy pace. A place where time stands still.
I belong here.
“The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears or the sea.”
Sea water is also a space for others. Kayakers, swimmers, surfers, holidaymakers. Their stories knitted together. I enjoy witnessing others making the most out of nature’s playground and seeing the joy water brings.
Simply being by sea is a wonderful tonic. Like the waves, you realise your troubles ebb and flow, nothing is permanent. The vastness and mystique of water offering a calming, shrinking perspective too. A few deep breaths of the sea air and you’re better equipped to weather life’s storms.
My favourite running by water route
One of my all-time favourite routes is a makeshift loop of the River Ouse.
It was my default exercise in the forced hibernation of the first pandemic lockdown when barely another soul was in sight.
Racing spellbinding sunsets home. The banks beaming with wildlife. The thrill of nature’s obstacle course. Fighting the urge to jump in and play. The companionship of my dog. Running near water has a special place in my heart.
The science of running by water
Refreshing, comforting, even cathartic. Running near water and the sound of running water are relaxing thanks to a deeper connection to nature.
You’ll reduce stress, depression and anxiety, take in fresher air, and work through problems faster than ever.
Another mental health benefit of running near water or running in the woods is the constant source of inspiration.
There’s no better way to move beyond writer’s block, dream up new ideas, or work through a new challenge.
You’re free to wander, as is your mind. It’s only when we relieve ourselves from high-pressure situations and start to drift can we do our best thinking.
We’ve all had that epiphany when on a run or in the shower. Now combine the two.
Our subconscious mind has been searching for that killer idea or solution all along, but it’s only able to enter your conscious mind when there’s sufficient room.
Research shows a 60% boost in creative output when you lose yourself in solitary exercise, with runs near water one of the most rewarding moving meditations you can experience.
One final thought...
If you’ve enjoyed this Joy Run theme, consider supporting charities that make running by water clean, safe and here tomorrow, such as Marine Conservation Society, Canal & River Trust, and RNLI.
→ Other ‘Running in Nature‘ themes
