When running what do you feel/think about?

Running along thinking that I must be nearly finished, im going yo die, I've been running for at least half an hour. Look at watch, 12 mins. Give up, go home.

Normally day dreaming about shagging my hot PT!

Constant thoughts of "I hate running. Once I get my sponsored run out of the way, I'm NEVER running again"
That being said though, once I've finished a good run, I feel great for the rest of the day.
I wish I could find a way to enjoy running.

I usually run to music and I get so sucked into the rhythm, the melody and the lyrics that it totally occupies my mind. I often imagine what kind of video I would make for songs if I was a video director. Just fantasising...
I know people who listen to radio podcasts or audio books while running to stave off the boredom.

Exactly the same as you. That I can’t do it, can’t breathe, need to walk, will never be a proper runner etc etc.

I’ve been running about 18 months now and keep waiting for the day it gets easier! I have decided it will always be a struggle for me and I will never be fast, but I’m out there and doing it and that’s ok with me

Fresh air, sunshine, cute animals, work, best route, what I'm doing the rest of the week, math problems, how far am I going (no Garmin). While swimming is harder to get lost in thoughts.

What I'm going to eat afterwards, nice dogs and squirrels I might see, what song I want next, how I never seem to get any better at running although I guess I won't get heart disease / osteoporosis/ diabetes etc, whether my IBS will be better after my run.
I don't get runners high.

I love the effects of running on my body, mind and self esteem but I hate most of the actual process. I spend a lot of time thinking about how much I'm looking forward to stopping! Other than that I listen to music or watch TV (I run at the gym). Must get into podcasts

Audio books. I've a subscription to Audible. Not sure I could run with my brain on full whack.

I run to music - made a playlist of my favourite songs and run to that. Then my mind wanders - I feel like I ‘empty my head’ if that makes sense - think through work stuff, things I’m doing in the house plus noticing things as run past. I try not to ever think about technique or miles etc as that it’s me off and I want to then stop. But if breathing gets difficult or feel tired I distract for a bit counting to a hundred or getting to the end of the road and find by that time back in to mind wandering

Also not really helpful, but certainly a lovely read when you’re not running is ‘What I think about when I think about running’ by Haruki Murakami. Lovely autobiography through running (also Murakami is a brilliant writer).

Another vote for a funny podcast- I vote: 2 dope queens/ an Adam Buxton interview with a funny guest/ late night whenever with Michelle buteau.

Um far too frequently i think about how to stay safe or fear of getting attacked. But the lovely zoned out feeling follows and then I don’t care.

I really hate running and it was a battle every step . When I signed up to a charity run and was struggling with training, a friend suggested I listen to a podcast instead of music.

I said that was a terrible idea and need the music but she insisted. I put on a funny talk radio podcast and it was a revolution. It amused and distracted me and stopped me thinking about how hard and awful it all was

Fairly new to running, I'm still at the stage where I have to concentrate hard to keep going- thinking about pace,breathing, staying steady, telling myself I can to do it and I'm not going to walk, listening to my music and waiting for the next km breakdown

Looking forward to the day when I can just relax and let the km pass by!

I try to think about my technique until I get distracted. Before I know it I'm in the zone, thinking about anything at all and have run kilometers without noticing. It's really good thinking time actually, it's one of the reasons I run. Crap for your body (in my case anyway, I'm prone to Injury), brilliant for your head.

Share your pain.