Overcoming thoughts when running- how??

Interesting what people say about company. Thankfully DH doesn't run.
Funnily enough runners are often quite insular, I run with a club and I never feel obligation to make conversation. We all there to run, conversation is an optional extra.
The group does help you keep a consistent pace though, running at night through the streets of London in a small group is a wonderful thing. You can't just stop suddenly, even when you might like to.

I label the thoughts as fearful lies, cos they are. Sometimes I try and locate specifically what they mean, like where would be the location of the hardness? Cos it usually turns out to be a mild feeling of heaviness which I have woefully misrepresented in hyperbolic terms, "This is a killer!" It's quite funny really, the panicked bollicks my mind will spout in the face of rapid breathing and a mild heaviness in my legs. I think it's useful beyond running to cultivate a distance between yourself and your thoughts. Or it is for me as all my thoughts in situations of stress seem to come from a frightened, hyperbolic shit stirrer who sounds a lot like my mum

Also I try to remember that I have never once, in my whole life, regretted going out for a run, but I have regretted not going!

as long as always beat him in an argument Sleep, the other stuff is irrelevant

Lots of good advice already, so I don't have much to add, apart from it won't always be like this!

Keep on running three times a week and soon enough your body will get used to it and it won't be hard, so your brain won't be telling you to stop

I have run for over two years now, every single week, and it is always the first mile or so that is the hardest, and then I think my brain realises this is what I am doing and all the muscles and skills kick in, and those thoughts disappear and I feel I could run forever.

So, just keep on running!

My DH would definitely win between us on the endurance front Suzanne - he cycles up and down Alps for fun freak. Taking out the male/female differences we are probably comparable on a strength basis but when it comes to flexibility I leave him in the dust (and I'd kick his ass in kickboxing) - for the sake of marital harmony I'm calling it even and keeping our exercise routines separate!

I do long complicated sums in my head!

my partner has been talking for a while about joining me on a run.
Tbh company is the last think I want when Im running.... he'd be faster but I should beat him hands down on endurance so it might be worth it just for that.
Then again he's one of those 'naturally athletic' types who could do a half marathon with no training, where as I take 6 months training to be able to run for 10 minutes without stopping.
So maybe I dont really want to put it to the test!

Lotta - I'm with you, I rarely wanted anyone else's company when running, just my music - I found it almost meditative. I have on occasion run with DH nightmare, he is faster than me and it was nice to chat to him but I wouldn't want to do that all the time - I like my own space!

When I ran it always helped me to think of it as my being free - away from DC's, house etc - my time, therefore enjoyable . By reminding myself of that I got better at pacing myself (as opposed to racing off, with the aim of completing the set distance, getting it over with and exhausting myself after 3 minutes). I also gave myself the option of walking breaks if I felt like it and some days I would take lots and others none at all. In a nutshell - try and appreciate the process itself rather than seeing it as a chore and putting yourself under any pressure . That then led to a bit of an addiction!

I dont hate it at all, I feel as if I am operating on a higher level when I am running.
Obviously to onlookers I am a middle aged woman plodding along, but in my reality I am flying in the zone, firing on all cylinders, all systems flat out.
Swerving past pedestrians....evading ferocious dogs.

I use the time to daydream about Tom Hiddleston which I find helpful.

'If I could get the same benefits from say sitting on the sofa I probably wouldn't run.'

Wow, that's the dream eh? A nice trim waist and nice achey legs from several hours of lying on the couch, watching TV and eating doughnuts

Like all things in life that matter, its such an intensely personal thing. I know that loads of people swear by having a running buddy or joining a running club. I can't explain how much I would hate this. I spend all day at work talking to people and listening to people and my god, I need to be on my own when I'm running. I don't want to have to consider anybody else when I'm running - apart from basic decency of course, I don't go crashing into people in the park! I just shove my headphones in and go. Find what works for you OP.

Suzanne is right.
I am a runner, a lot of people would assume I love running. A lot of the time I really hate it. It's hard and can be a chore. If I could get the same benefits from say sitting on the sofa I probably wouldn't run.
How I love being a runner. I love being able to keep fit by running. When I go on holiday I will try to go for a run, holiday runs are so memorable.
The benefits of running are huge, to my mental and physical well being.
My advice to OP is - run with a group. Join a club, or find some pals.

Definitely recommend finding a running partner -- but make it someone you don't mind knowing your every secret, if you're anything like me and blurt out all sorts of stream-of-consciousness nonsense as you gradually become hypnotised by the slap of your own footfalls.

Good point Suzanne

even if the actual running is tough that lasts for what, an hour or so?
The elevated mood, lower body fat, healthier cardio vascular system, those are all with you 24/7 :o

Oh dear Bonsoir, not helpful

OP I have been running for the last few years and I still have to kick my own butt out the door almost every time, especially in the winter. There's always that little voice saying 'nah, not today..' Sometimes (like yesterday) I do listen to it, but if I listened to it every time, I would never run again! And I get so much out of running that I make myself stick with it......

I guess what keeps me going is thinking of how amazing it feels when you have finished a run - I look forward to that feeling of pride and the nice achey feeling that comes from doing a good workout. And I have never ever regretted going for a run - even if it wasn't a great run, I've always been glad I did it.

While running, I try to drown the little voice out with a more positive voice that says things like 'come on, you can do it', 'look at you - you're running!', 'doing well today', 'halfway there', 'nearly finished' etc. Its hard work, but so worth it, and really nice to hear that so many of us suffer from 'the little voice' problem!

I too have this voice in my head issue, and find breaking it down by saying see what the next song is etc works a bit

Jog on Bonsoir, jog on

oh gee, thanks Bonsoir thats what someone asking for advice about running really needs isnt it...to be told they are a 'fashion victim'

Can also recommend podcasts. I used to struggle, found them v helpful. I listen to women's hour, also some comedy ones. Good luck

You give very mixed messages though!

Up to you, but running is a fashion. Being a victim is a choice!

running is an acquired taste for many people Bonsoir, it takes discipline and effort to get to the stage where you can enjoy it but once you get to that point the benefits are worth the hard work