Overcoming thoughts when running- how??

I listen to audiobooks or MarathonTalk podcast on my long and medium length runs.

Shorter runs I do a circuit as a pp said, so after a certain point it's easier to continue than turn back.

Mostly I've just learned that voice is not my friend and I know I can continue because I've done it so many times before. I know I would be gutted if I don't finish a run and that keeps me going more than anything else really.

Thanks amouse, that's very helpful.

The long run is 7-10k depending on how much time i have to spare, at about 7min/km. I am aiming to keep increasing this with the goal of a half marathon in 2016.

The medium one is around 5k at about 6.15-6.30min/km

For the fast one i don't wear a watch, I just run as fast as I can for about 10-15 minutes.

I use numbers too, like "at exactly X time I'll stop" or "just finish this song and one more". Then I'll count my breaths (in on one and exhale on five) and I'll often find that I'm distracted enough to pass the marker I had set myself and keep going another while.
I love the joyous feeling of "I did it!" When a run is over

I used to do this (and stop after about 5 minutes). I now imagine (and sort of tick of) every part of my body from the toes to the top and down again. So I think about the very end of each of my toes (one at a time), then the first joint, then where they join the foot, then the foot etc etc all the way to the top of my head (ends of my hair). Dull but I find it more interesting than counting and I particularly focus on how amazing various areas are going to look as a result of running (they don't but it helps to keep me motivated ).

amouseinawindmill I'd be interested to know a bit more about your three different runs - what sort of distance/pace do you do for each one?

The other thing that's made my runs easier is not wearing my watch - I used to obsessively check how long I'd been running for. Now I have a few routes which I like and I know roughly how long they take so I just run and know that I'll have done what I want when I get home, without actually needing to know how long I've run for.

I 'play' songs in my head which are the right tempo for a good cadence. My favourites are

Every little thing she does is magic

Bright side of the road

Karma chameleon ..sp

There are loads of them on running playlists online.

Also check my form whenever my garmin watch beeps-run tall, relax shoulders, breathing check etc.

In a race I use 'I can do anything for x mins'...and visualise the finish line.

I haven't run with music for ages ever since I put my iPod through the washing machine but I used to have a couple of "power songs" for when I was feeling a bit meh about running. They bring back memories of times and places when I was feeling great and really enjoying a run.

I also agree with breaking it down into chunks, and like the idea of a circular run.

The first 10 mins is always the worst, as it's your body getting used to the extra demands you are placing on it - I once read a really good article about the biochemistry going on within the body but never managed to find it again. It was to do with needing more oxygen to burn stored carbs and turn them into fuel for the muscles, which takes normal people about 10 minutes to get into balance.

Yes amouseinawindmill!
Long slow run with a podcast.
parkrun
Then usually a friend and I will run together on a Sunday doing awful hill sprints if we can handle it!

Never gets boring - and you can change it whenever you feel like!

I like to imagine myself in a zombie apocalypse. I have to get better at running so I can outrun the zombies and protect my family. It whiles away the time and gives me something to aim towards.

I found that variety helped. So in my three runs per week i do one longer steady one, listening to a podcast. One other run is a slightly faster but shorter one, and the other is a very short but very fast one. (When i say very fast clearly in my own head I am striding gracefully at a pace to rival any Olympian. The reality is that my sprint is slower than DH's jog and I must look a state but who cares? )

The negative thoughts stopped because i was not bored with the runs, and the short sprinty one really benefits your leg strength, meaning the slower long run is quite easy in comparison.

Finally I can never speak to a runner without urging them to go to a parkrun. It really fires my enthusiasm.

I listen to Zombies Run. Keeps me amused as I struggle along.

Podcasts. Or an audiobook?

I love to listen to them and find bring at home too distracting. When out running I can really listen to them.

I have a few 'Fighting Talk' length routes these days

What Claybury said about running on holiday really struck a chord for me. I travel for work, and try and run everywhere I go. My favourite run ever was running along the waters edge in San Francisco looking at Alcatraz and the Golden Gate, and it felt so alive - much more than walking would have.

No gym class is ever going to let me do that sort of thing.

Realise that sounds like I think I am the best - not the case by any means!

I love running and few things give me a high like it, but even the best runners ahve periods in their run or series f runs when they are having to push through

Every one of us has that negative voice-you are not alone!

I find music helps. Or else mental games-count to 10 on the left foot fall, then the right, then do 2 of each, then 3, then do it backwards etc.

What REALLY helps is having something else to think about-an email you're going to send, a blog post, a letter, a shopping list. Running will help all the words jostle about and land in the right order.

Agree with running with a friend.

Also, not sure if this has already been mentioned, but is it possible for you to do a circular route rather than A to B and back again? I find this makes me less likely to turn back early, because then I'd have to run back the way I've just come rather than completing the circuit iyswim.

although music can be great to listen to I find spoken word much better-so I listen to the radio or a podcast of a quiz show/documentary. Something like The News Quiz or I'm Sorry I Haven;t a Clue makes the time go a lot quicker

Just to echo overmydead, I used to have these voices constantly but as I've got to be a better runner they've lessened, even disappeared. I can now just go into a kind of reverie of floating thoughts and keep running without thinking it's too hard or too far.

Keep with it and it'll get easier and even more enjoyable.

I ran with a friend for the first time last week...and it was the first time I've actually enjoyed running! Was great to chat and run. Going to try it again tomorrow.

Otherwise I listen to podcasts. In the gym I obsessively want the metres/kilometers tick by until I can stop!

I listen to TED talks - you can get an app for iPhone and just downloads loads of interesting talks. I love them and I also hate running but the combination works well

Think about other things. I like to remember events or plan stuff I need to do.

If you have a voice like that it can be useful to characterise it - imagine a comical nagging/whining voice and an animated creature to go with it - makes it easier to give a 'you again' eye roll and shrug it off, take it less seriously and yes, turn to your nurturing one lotta.

OutsSelf - yes yes yes to hearing your mother's voice at times of stress! Same here and its never ever helpful - just critical and negative and undermining. I'm learning to counter it with my own voice though, which is positive and nurturing and just a bit stern. I can handle that