Getting out of your head while running?

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Replies

  • RunsOnEspresso
    RunsOnEspresso Posts: 3,218 Member
    I put it down to "some days are like that."

    Usually, I can disconnect my head from my legs and I love those runs, my thoughts flit from deep theological issues to "oh look, there's a cloud over there and it looks like a dragon" to wondering what's going on with a friend to "how much longer" to work stuff... And I feel like I could go on and on.

    And then there are other days when it feels like I'm made of lead and every step is a trial. On those days, I tell myself that if I just can make it til about 2/3s of my regular run, I can quit. I can power through til that point and then I give myself permission to stop. By that point, I usually decide to keep going but every once in a while I stop.

    Some days are happier runs than others.

    Pretty much this. I "write" blog posts or make up stories in my head. They are fantastic but once my run is over I can't remember them. LOL

    And yah, the bad days I tell myself I have to do X and if I reach X and don't think i can go anymore I give myself permission to stop. If I reach X and feel good I push on until I finish the scheduled workout. More often than not I just keep going.
  • WaffyNoonan
    WaffyNoonan Posts: 13
    (didn't read all the replies, sorry)
    This might count as a weird answer to a weird problem, but when I get a bit stuck in my own head, I sort of imagine that the person doing the running is someone else, and I'm cheering them on at the sidelines. I picture myself cheering my friend Jamie on when he does his marathon, and it really helps. A bit zen though!
  • handyrunner
    handyrunner Posts: 32,662 Member
    If you are getting the heavy legs/tired feeling between minutes 22-26 that is your body switching from glycogen in the muscles to fat burning, it takes my body 3 minutes to transition over but once it does I can run forever, those three minutes though feel like torture. Push through, slow way down, and just wait, you should feel your energy kick back up within 5 minutes max.
    This is unlikely Glycogen levels would not on a normal person be depleted untill around 90 minutes of running.

    ^^^
    This.
    Also what another poster said about varying the speed..also terrain and routes to keep it interesting. I will tell you that my first run of the week..which also happends to be my first easy run after my Sunday long runs, always sucks..i just dont feel like doing them. but I think this is the best time to run because it trains your brain to deal with those feelings during a race.
  • Roadie2000
    Roadie2000 Posts: 1,801 Member
    When you start to feel tired and are about to stop, just tell yourself 1 more minute (or whatever works for you) and count to 60. I usually forget that I'm tired and hurting by the time I get to 30.
  • EdTheGinge
    EdTheGinge Posts: 1,616 Member
    That damn 'wall' has a lot to answer for(more talked about in regards to marathons but don't see why it can't be the case for shorter distances). As others have mentioned make sure you've taken on good nutrition/hydration etc.

    I just tell myself that if I stop now then those previous Xmiles were for nothing and that's not an option so I keep going.
  • BDWhite72
    BDWhite72 Posts: 47 Member
    "Zen and the art of running" by Larry Shaprio

    This is a really fun book that teaches awesome lessons about how to beat mental obstacles and instead relax and make the most of your runs! I've read a few books like this, and this one was my favorite. Check it out as one way to combat the issue!

    Just ordered, thanks for the recommendation!
  • GBrady43068
    GBrady43068 Posts: 1,256 Member
    When I have this problem, I start breaking my run into a series of very small goals..for example:
    "OK, I'll just keep jogging until I get to the silver car, then I'll stop to walk for a bit..."
    (having reached the silver car) "OK, well I'll go just until the speed limit 35MPH sign..."
    (at the 35MPH sign) "Well, maybe I can keep jogging just until I get to the intersection..."

    etc.

    If I GENUINELY can tell my body is saying "I *NEED* to walk...." I will....but this gets me through the times when I just want to give up and if I can keep at it, endorphins will eventually kick in to get me past all the mental weakness.

    I also agree that a well-planned playlist...starting slow...building to a medium pace with a few faster "just do it" songs mixed in...back down to steady/medium...and closing with an all-out screaming go-and-get-it song for the last couple minutes of the run. I will try and time my footfalls to "hit" on the beat of the music oftentimes.
  • Of_Monsters_and_Meat
    Of_Monsters_and_Meat Posts: 1,022 Member
    I didn't read all the replies. . but this is how I went from 5k to 10k distances.

    I was stuck at my 3 mile loop, and could not go further.

    I just went a bit slower one day. 12-13 min mile, it wasn't the point for any speed. Instead of my normal loop, I went out in a strait line. 3 miles out... You pretty much have no choice but to do 3 miles back. That little "push" over my hump was all I needed.
  • handyrunner
    handyrunner Posts: 32,662 Member
    "Zen and the art of running" by Larry Shaprio

    This is a really fun book that teaches awesome lessons about how to beat mental obstacles and instead relax and make the most of your runs! I've read a few books like this, and this one was my favorite. Check it out as one way to combat the issue!

    thanks for the reccomendation...will check this out!
  • rachaelbarton
    rachaelbarton Posts: 57 Member
    I've run many half marathons and I still find myself in this boat more often than I would like. Some days just aren't running days! The best advice I can give is to re-approach your run next time with the goal of beating your previous workout. If you gave up at 25 minutes, make sure you make it to 26 this time. That way it becomes harder for your mind to say "I can't do this", because you will know that you just did it yesterday, dammit, and you're gonna do it again today.
    If I'm pushing myself beyond my normal limits, i.e. bumping up my mileage or pace significantly, I like to get an established running buddy involved. Their presence, and a good conversation, can make the time fly. Caffeine is also my friend because it blocks the receptors in your brain that tell you you're tired, but I understand that it's not for everyone :)
  • docdrd
    docdrd Posts: 174 Member
    I hate running an absolutely have this problem (about being in my own head while doing it). Some things that have helped me have already been mentioned, especially the DON'T START TOO FAST!! Even when doing a 5K race, I have noticed that taking it slow the first mile makes a HUGE difference for the rest of the run. Certainly, for me, company makes it MUCH easier to keep going, but in the absence of that, I do like having a fun playlist that pumps me up and motivates me to keep going. Finally, when I am thinking of stopping too early, what I often do is give myself a series of mini challenges ... Just do this next hill, make it to the next big intersection, etc. and as I push through that immediate challenge, I find I can keep going after that. But the biggest thing is JUST SLOW DOWN! Remember, you aren't trying to win it, just go the distance :-) Good luck!!!
  • ZOOpergal
    ZOOpergal Posts: 176 Member
    Slow down and get through a 5K, even if it takes 35 or 40 minutes, to break that mental barrier. Just being a bit less breathless makes a huge difference to feeling whether you can go on. Then slowly build up to your usual speed. 5K in 30 minutes is a great achievement!

    Another mental trick is to break early. Walk for a minute or 30 seconds after 15 minutes, then run the rest.

    For distractions, I use the "Zombies, Run!" app. you don't need to have the zombie chases switched on, the alternating between a minute or so of story that you have to pay attention between your music playlist tracks makes all the difference.

    I was going to say exactly this. Minus the zombie part, but I like that too!!
  • JoannaEngel84
    JoannaEngel84 Posts: 49 Member
    I always listen to podcasts when running. I hate running, and whilst I'm doing it all I can think about is how much I hate it. Music just gets lost in the background. With a podcast (would work the same with an audiobook I presume) it's something I actually have to concentrate on, works as a good distraction.

    ^this! People find it so weird that I listen to talk radio (like NPR) podcasts, but for me, they make the time fly much more than music, which I seem to drown out. Find a few that you like and have them ready on your ipod!
  • JoelleAnn78
    JoelleAnn78 Posts: 1,492 Member
    I found last summer when I was really comfortable with the 3.1mile run I was doing, my brain would start to anticipate the end of the run and get really tired. I would see the landmarks and know I was close to the end. So, I did a few things to change it up.....

    (1) Changed my route. I actually just ran it backwards to change up the image recognition in my brain. The neighbor's house was no longer the stopping pint -- it was just the beginning, Baby!

    (2) Committed to running 3.5 no matter what. So, the stopping point was no longer the stopping point. Take THAT brain! I ran past my house by .25 miles and then ran back.

    (3) Registered for another race. Knowing I paid money to run keeps the motivation high -- I really don't want to waste that $20.......
  • rprussell2004
    rprussell2004 Posts: 870 Member
    For distractions, I use the "Zombies, Run!" app. you don't need to have the zombie chases switched on, the alternating between a minute or so of story that you have to pay attention between your music playlist tracks makes all the difference.

    I echo the "Zombies, Run!" app :) it's fun.
  • determinedbutlazy
    determinedbutlazy Posts: 1,941 Member
    I listen to audiobooks when running, I want to hear the story so I run as long as possible. Also means I can't hear the voice in my head telling me I'm tired etc.
  • LoggingForLife
    LoggingForLife Posts: 504 Member
    I tell myself a couple things:

    You don't stop when you are tired, you stop when you are done.

    You are uncomfortable but you aren't dying.

    Then I swear at things I'm mad at and it give me a bit of a push.

    I imagine there is a crowd cheering me on.

    Suck it up lady, you've been through worse.

    Those are my mantras!
  • amandalj
    amandalj Posts: 28 Member
    If I'm really struggling, I'll play some mental games with myself.

    One way is to tell myself "just run for another xx minutes, feet, to that sign, etc. THEN you can walk/quit/go home". By the time I've reached that, I can usually convince my self to do "just a little more", and then a little more....then, before I know it, I'm done!

    I'll also do things like work on my meal plan for the coming week, make a To Do list for after my run (that also helps me keep going, so I can procrastinate on my housework!), listen to my ipod and try really hard to concentrate on the lyrics....anything!


    Some days, I can also recognize that it's just not in the cards and I'll have to give it another go tomorrow.
  • saralayne42
    saralayne42 Posts: 27 Member
    I get that way as well and my fix makes a person look insane, but I don't care. I have to say (aloud and repeatedly) "shut up brain!" and "you can do this, just keep going". I know I look crazy, but it helps.

    Good luck and great job!
  • crystalflame
    crystalflame Posts: 1,049 Member
    I run on a trail where there's always other people. If I start to feel like you're describing, I pick a person ahead of me and tell myself to not let that person out of my sight. Giving my brain something else to focus on and a very specific, instantaneous goal to meet makes a huge difference.

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