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Original poster

What do you think about when you're running?

49 replies

soreyes · 28/09/2015 17:29

I think I need to train myself to focus on certain things when I'm running and NOT how many metres I have left to go till I reach a certain km, not I will keep going till I reach a nice round figure, not when I get to 30 mins I'll cool down, not I WILL NOT cheat and not check the time or km until this song has finished (treadmill running here), etc. etc.! Grin

I'm so negative until the adrenaline gets going, usually 30 mins in, that I am ready to give up sometimes even after only five minutes! I don't though, but I hate the negative thought processes going round and round, because I just can't wait for it to end, even though when I do keep going of course I am chuffed and feel great. But it's like that every single time and I would like to change it.

I heard that Paula Radcliffe used to keep counting to 100 over and over...does anyone else do anything as monotonous? I need to hear what goes on in your heads to see if I can alter how I think when I run. Music is a big thing for me, and running to a track I really like can inspire me to go just that bit further but I'm stuck in a rut.

Please share!

OP posts:
emummy · 28/09/2015 18:55

I listen to podcasts, but occasionally run without. In that case, my mind wanders between thinking about how my body feels and random daydreams and admiring the scenery.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 28/09/2015 19:02

I feel just like you, I feel such an unprofessional. If I'm honest, I'm place marking as I'd love some tips, at the moment, my thoughts when running are....I plan....my day, my week, my social diary, what I have to get done. But I'm so guilty of getting into the mindset of "I'll run to that tree, oh ok I've done that, I'll run to that bench...." Etc, which is then just tediously counting down. I am enjoying running, but I'm not a natural, so need tools to make it easier.

twirlypoo · 28/09/2015 19:04

I count 1,2,3,4 over and over im time with my feet hitting the floor. I've only been running a few weeks though.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 28/09/2015 19:04

Sorry, missed the bit about music being a big thing for you-that must help, just take time out to listen to your favourite music? I don't like music, any music, it makes life hard!

RedRosie · 28/09/2015 19:08

How much my knees hurt these days, sadly.

You young 'uns, try to enjoy it before you get middle-aged and crumbly like me!

Smile
LumelaMme · 28/09/2015 19:20

I listen to Radio 4 (middle-aged saddo). Failing that, I admire the scenery. I run in the open, though - I'd go nuts running on a treadmill. This morning I actually took my heapdhones out so I could listen to the waterfowl piping.

I also gave some thought to picking sloes sometime soon... Lots of them looking ripe and fat.

Other than that, towards the end I kept on wondering exactly where I'd hit the magic 30min point at which I was going to STOP.

DrHarleenFrancesQuinzel · 28/09/2015 19:24

I talk to the voices in my head. Actually I talk to myself and answer myself. Im my own personal trainer and encourage myself to keep going. Yesterday I went out for a run and at one point was really flagging so for the first time in 3 years of running I started counting my steps until I got to 100 and then repeated. I did read that Paula suggested that when you hit a wall (I didn't realise that's what she did the whole time). It worked for me.

Then again I run outside so dont listen to music as I want to be aware of cars and stuff.

Iggly · 28/09/2015 19:26

I just think about whatever is going on in my life at the moment. Or listen to music.

tabulahrasa · 28/09/2015 19:30

I struggle on the treadmill tbh, because it's just you, running...

I do it once a week because I run with a friend and we swim afterwards, but I'm so much better on the other two runs of the week when we're outside and I'm running to somewhere.

Castrovalva · 28/09/2015 19:31

I try to concentrate on good posture, so I am my own posture coach with a monologue on that.

Music helps, I have a distraction playlist to drown out negative thought patterns.

And I do always just try to remember that running is 80% in your head. The good runners say that it is comparatively easy to get fit, the trick is keeping your head in the right place during a run. So if I get into an unhelpful thought pattern I just keep repeating to myself some kind of pep talk 'running is a mental game, not a physical one, get your head sorted. Come ON. FOCUS. ' etc etc

SevenSeconds · 28/09/2015 19:31

I run with a friend so we can chat!

Greenteandchives · 28/09/2015 19:32

How soon it will be over. Smile And how far ahead of me my DH has got!

RJnomaaaaaargh · 28/09/2015 19:34

I count to twenty. Eight footsteps is one. Twenty is approximately one minute. And u keep going.

I'm a new and not a good runner.

BlueBlueBelles · 28/09/2015 19:36

On the treadmill in the gym I watch the TV

On the road I used to listen to music. Then I got injured (tendon) and as ive built back up ive learnt to run without anything - so I think about my body, the run, my stride, the route. I can't think of anything deep, and tbh wouldn't be able to tell you two minutes after I finished what I thought about. But that's why I love it. I switch off fully.

suzannecaravan · 29/09/2015 09:40

I often find myself counting
I try to select entertaining podcasts to listen to in order to distract me from just how very hard running often feels

Original poster
soreyes · 29/09/2015 10:08

I can't run outside because I live in a hot country and would melt if I attempted it (bad enough just walking for me) but can understand running outside is more stimulating. I only started running since being here but plan to keep it up wherever I am. I am a bit daunted by "real" running though, as I've become quite attached really to my friend the treadmill and all of its convenience and consistency.

Goodness, SevenSeconds, how do you run and chat?! Beyond my fitness I think!

Do you think some people are just more natural runners than others, capable of drowning out certain thoughts and focusing on what they are doing? I would like to think I can reach that point (in fact I dream of it and don't want to give up) but it's a constant battle a) to force myself to go in the first place b) even when I feel springy and up for it, to maintain it and c) to will myself to go a bit further/faster than the last time.

Castrovalva, I definitely agree it's mostly mental and unless you have a physical issue or pain, you can persevere.

I never knew running was so intense, mentally as much as physically.

OP posts:
LadyCassandra · 29/09/2015 10:21

I run with a group and we chat a lot but when I run on my own (rarely) I listen to podcasts. I can't run listening to music because I am exactly the same as you and constantly think about how much further I have to go and how much I can get away with not doing! Blush

suzannecaravan · 29/09/2015 10:41

I never knew running was so intense, mentally as much as physically
The two are linked, because it is physically very hard a correspondingly high level of mental effort is required to sustain the physical effort
?
If you keep it up you become mentally and physically more proficient ?

Original poster
soreyes · 29/09/2015 11:17

Ooh, Suzanne, do you think that's true, becoming more proficient in other aspects of your life too? If it is, then there is an incentive right there. If I could apply the same discipline to the times I overindulge in other things (food, negative thoughts in general)...it makes sense that they are linked.

OP posts:
Liomsa · 29/09/2015 11:22

Death, usually. Grin Sometimes my current novel, only if something strikes me I have to stop and note it/voice memo it on my phone, so ideally not...

MelanieCheeks · 29/09/2015 11:24

I have lots of strategies!

  1. A running playlist. My current one is about 3 hours long, but I try to update it now and then.
  2. Running is great when you have to write something - a blog entry, and email, application form or a letter....even a poem. Think about it while you run, and the words will be jiggled about until they fall into the right order in your head.
  3. Count - up to 20 on each foot, then backwards. Then 1,1,2,2,3,3, etc. on each foot. Then backwards. Then up to 3 per foot. Then in French. Then in German (other languages are available).
  4. Meal plan for the week.
  5. Play the number-plate game (works best if outside). I try to find a place name that contains the letters in the number plates of cars that go past.
Thefitfatty · 29/09/2015 11:30

I listen to a singer or band I like and imagine I'm the lead singer rocking out. Grin

TheMagicToyshop · 29/09/2015 11:33

I also treadmill run, I listen to a podcast with a gripping story (this American life, criminal, serial, mystery show etc). For the first few minutes I obsess over not wanting to run and click watch, but once I'm immersed in the podcast it's easier to stick it out. It's awful on the rare occasion when it's a boring episode that fails to hook you in though!

Original poster
soreyes · 29/09/2015 11:34

Whoa, Melanie! Running runs your life, literally Grin Great tips, thanks.

OP posts:
suzannecaravan · 29/09/2015 16:42

Ooh, Suzanne, do you think that's true, becoming more proficient in other aspects of your life too?

well, I mean more that you become better at coping with the fact that running is very strenuous and requires psychological as well as physical staying power....you have to mentally resist the urge to stop running.

I suppose it might carry over into other aspects of life, but personally I cant say I've noticed :o

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