Runners - what do you do during your run?

13

Replies

  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    99.9% of my running is in the great outdoors. No music, just the rhythm of my breathing and my footfalls, I find it a great time to de-clutter my brain.
  • wolfgate
    wolfgate Posts: 321 Member
    Outside just run. No music or anything. If it's a quality day I'm really focused on the effort and how my body is responding to the work. If it's an easy day I'm still monitoring how I'm doing (particularly that I'm really keeping it easy) with a lot of daydreaming mixed in.

    If I have to run inside, either on indoor track or the TM, I will use music. Can only run so many hamster laps without something else.

    I think if you are running on a treadmill & watching TV then you are not working out hard enough. You should not be able to even take it in during running.

    Have to disagree with this for most runs. A particularly difficult speedwork or specific routine day could require concentration that would prevent watching TV. But for normal easy runs it should be no problem to watch. Or carry on a conversation with a friend.
  • miss_jessiejane
    miss_jessiejane Posts: 2,819 Member
    I run.
  • alathIN
    alathIN Posts: 142 Member
    Favorite: running outside, preferably trail run, with my group - so socializing as we run.

    Second favorite: outside, by myself, listening to music

    Distant third: treadmill, listening to music, sometimes with TV on but not paying attention to it
  • Leonidas_meets_Spartacus
    Leonidas_meets_Spartacus Posts: 6,198 Member
    I run outside and hate treadmill. Most of the times I run on a trail, I run with or with out music depending on my mood. If I am traveling to cold place, I just run on the hotel treadmill hoping the time goes faster.
  • trizzletrix
    trizzletrix Posts: 92 Member
    This is such an interesting thread. I would have never thought of listening to an audiobook while running but it makes sense as it'd keep my mind off wanting to quit haha.

    Although the good thing about music is that if you pick tracks with the right tempo it can REALLY boost your mood/enthusiasm and you can up the speed :)
  • HerculesKlump
    HerculesKlump Posts: 13
    I race people ( in my mind)
    Without telling them
    It's usually the slow ones...
    Needless to say, but I'm still undefeated.
  • peleroja
    peleroja Posts: 3,979 Member
    I use the Zombies, Run! app, which integrates with my own music playlists.

    Sometimes I read on my iPad instead. I like audiobooks too but I'd rather have the beat of music to listen to, so I'm more likely to listen to music and actually read. And with my iPad, I can just throw it on the ledge and tap to turn pages so it doesn't slow me down at all. But I've always been someone who can read even while being jostled (running, walking, driving...) which a lot of MFPers can't fathom doing.

    I run on a treadmill at a modest incline, between 6-7mph, usually 5K.

    ETA: I kind of hate running and don't get than zen thing or need to concentrate like crazy like many people do, so I do have to distract myself quite a bit to get through it. I wish I could just stay chill and run for half an hour but I quit after 5 minutes if I don't give my brain something else to think about.
  • VeganMagpie
    VeganMagpie Posts: 24 Member
    I always listen to music because I measure the lengths of my run in 'songs' haha.

    So say if I want to run a 5k I'm like, OK right that's only 10 songs - that's so easy to make through I can do that. And I don't know why but it really helps.

    I do this also! :)
  • toiletski
    toiletski Posts: 126 Member
    I use Zombies, Run! with a playlist OR just listen to music. Using earbuds I can hear more than I would be able to in the car for example. I'm in a cover band so I'm able to pick apart what each instrument is doing and that keeps me preoccupied so that sometimes I forget that I'm running.
  • dorothytd
    dorothytd Posts: 1,138 Member
    Listen to great music and think positive thoughts. When you think about negative things (anything negative and not just about how much it hurts, ha), it can have a real physical affect - shoulders hunch, breathing is more difficult, etc. So I plan things, count my blessings, think about how I'm going to post what I just did, etc. Oh, and I celebrate each mile while I'm running. I look ridiculous, but it is an awesome thing to run yet another mile!!
  • TracyJo93
    TracyJo93 Posts: 197 Member
    If I'm running on a treadmill, which I don't do often at all, I have to listen to music. Being in the gym with other people annoys me to the point that I'm less distracted if I can't hear them.

    I usually run around my neighborhood. I generally just think positive thoughts (about posting it on MFP, getting a sense of accomplishment, experience nature). Sometimes I actively think about beating my fastest time. Yesterday, I thought about running away from my neighbor's dog.
  • ShannonMpls
    ShannonMpls Posts: 1,936 Member
    I listen to music and zone. That's the best part of running; even if I WANT to worry about something or overthink a choice, I can't...the thoughts are pushed out by the run.
  • bagge72
    bagge72 Posts: 1,377 Member
    If I'm running out side, I listen to music, and talk to myself or count to myself if I run out of things to say. If I'm at the gym then the samething unless I'm at a treadmill that has an RF switch to listen to the TV.
  • bagge72
    bagge72 Posts: 1,377 Member
    If I'm running on a treadmill, which I don't do often at all, I have to listen to music. Being in the gym with other people annoys me to the point that I'm less distracted if I can't hear them.

    I usually run around my neighborhood. I generally just think positive thoughts (about posting it on MFP, getting a sense of accomplishment, experience nature). Sometimes I actively think about beating my fastest time. Yesterday, I thought about running away from my neighbor's dog.

    When I was running on the treadmill Saturday this guy next to me answered his phone and talked on it the whole time, and was pretty much yelling at his wife it sounded like, and I couldn't get my headphones loud enough to not hear him, I was so mad, and already 2 miles in when he started so I couldn't move or go tell the staff, because it would have completely screwed up my run!
  • mochapygmy
    mochapygmy Posts: 2,123 Member
    I race people ( in my mind)
    Without telling them
    It's usually the slow ones...
    Needless to say, but I'm still undefeated.

    :laugh: I just did the first long run of C25K and about 5 minutes in this guy got on the treadmill in front of me and I was "chasing" him. I was so disappointed when he only ran for 10 minutes that I almost asked if he wanted to run a bit longer.

    I like my music on and the tv tuned to something action-y. I like to watch people running, jumping, playing sports etc. However one day I was there when jeopardy was on so I did watch and listen to that. I didn't realize that I was occasionally answering the questions out loud. I'm a total nerd. :bigsmile:
  • EddieHaskell97
    EddieHaskell97 Posts: 2,227 Member
    I listen to heavy metal and think about things I hate. When I do that, I generally average 1.5 mph faster during my run.
  • Booksandbeaches
    Booksandbeaches Posts: 1,791 Member
    I race people ( in my mind)
    Without telling them
    It's usually the slow ones...
    Needless to say, but I'm still undefeated.

    :laugh:

    Are we twins? I do this too. I'm competitive in my own mind. It's actually better when there's a person running on a treadmill near me. I tend to run longer with some silent competition.
  • loriemn
    loriemn Posts: 292 Member
    I run on a rural gravel road..so I dont wear my Ipod as I WANT to hear the cars coming up behind me.that and try not to trip on 3 German Shepherds!
  • Eric_DeCastro
    Eric_DeCastro Posts: 767 Member
    yesterday my running partner tapped out at the first mile so I ran the rest of the 4 miles without headphones and I concentrated on my breathing and trying not to trip and face plant. (I've come close before)
  • naomiprioleau
    naomiprioleau Posts: 38 Member
    I measure my runs through songs too! It helps so much! Often I'll underestimate and then be surprised when my run is done with a fewer amount of songs than I expected. Love it lol However, I'm usually daydreaming or in another land when I'm running with my music.
  • MADDIESMOMMY6611
    MADDIESMOMMY6611 Posts: 140 Member
    I am so happy I posted this because I am loving all the feedback! I just read through all the answers and either laughed at some (racing people in your mind) or thought you guys had some creative answers. For those who think running with distractions is bad, try having a brain like mine! If it takes away from my workout, so be it. At least I'm losing weight. Some people need to have something going on, otherwise we wouldn't stick to running. And I don't run on trails so I'm not worried about falling over my surroundings. I only run on a treadmill because I live in NJ and we've either had snow or ice on the ground since December. When I first did the c25k program 2 years ago, I used to run to Jerry Springer episodes and whenever they got to the fight scenes, I found myself wanting to run faster. Maybe a should start running to UFC fights. ;-P

    Now that it's getting warm out, I'm definitely going to download that Zombie App. Thank you all for sharing and keep em' coming.
  • _Josee_
    _Josee_ Posts: 625 Member
    I run. Duh!
  • llbennett74
    llbennett74 Posts: 132 Member
    I run outside and I enjoy just taking in the sights and sounds.
  • MyOwnSunshine
    MyOwnSunshine Posts: 1,312 Member
    I think and talk to my dog.
  • bnsnwldwmn
    bnsnwldwmn Posts: 38
    I'm only running on a treadmill right now, and I usually watch a television show. I have several on DVD, and I'll go for about an hour to get a whole episode in. I don't have cable or Internet to stream shows, so this is pretty much my only "TV time" which makes it a good motivator sometimes.

    Oh, and I don't really *run* for an hour yet. I'm using the Run Your Butt Off program, which is similar to a C25K, and I'm in week 4 or 5, so I'm walking 3 min.-running 3 min.

    When the weather warms up (and I get better conditioned) I plan to move outside, and then it will probably be music. I feel ok once I get "in the zone", but having a slight distraction helps until I get there. Otherwise, I'm too busy thinking "OMG this is hard . . . I hate this . . . why am I doing this again? . . . etc."

    If inquiring minds want to know, I'm watching Quantum Leap right now. :)
  • MADDIESMOMMY6611
    MADDIESMOMMY6611 Posts: 140 Member
    I'm only running on a treadmill right now, and I usually watch a television show. I have several on DVD, and I'll go for about an hour to get a whole episode in. I don't have cable or Internet to stream shows, so this is pretty much my only "TV time" which makes it a good motivator sometimes.

    Oh, and I don't really *run* for an hour yet. I'm using the Run Your Butt Off program, which is similar to a C25K, and I'm in week 4 or 5, so I'm walking 3 min.-running 3 min.

    When the weather warms up (and I get better conditioned) I plan to move outside, and then it will probably be music. I feel ok once I get "in the zone", but having a slight distraction helps until I get there. Otherwise, I'm too busy thinking "OMG this is hard . . . I hate this . . . why am I doing this again? . . . etc."

    If inquiring minds want to know, I'm watching Quantum Leap right now. :)

    I feel like I could have typed your response myself! I am doing the C25K too, and there are times where a commercial will come on and I'll have to concentrate on the running and think "omg this is too hard, I should stop". I watched the movie Gravity the other day, and had one of my best workouts because the movie was so good.

    I'll probably start running outside now that it's lighter later and getting warmer. Music will definitely need to keep me distracted.
  • Kekibird
    Kekibird Posts: 1,122 Member
    Depends.
    Race day: Music. I have a play list I like.
    Treadmill: Music, podcasts, watch TV (which ever I fancy at that moment)
    Outdoor running: Music if I'm by myself. otherwise I run with a group and we talk.

    Whatever will get me through my workout. Podcasts are great because they can travel from the treadmill to the weight room when I'm done.
  • teanerhig21
    teanerhig21 Posts: 8 Member
    I've found that I get kind of bored with the treadmil/tv setup, although it has been nice during cold weather!

    I like to use the Zombies, Run! app because it mixes my music into a fun storyline.
    HA!! Thanks so much for this!!! Downloading it right now. So tired of my Nike+ app and cant wait to be chased by zombies. Plus, I'm needing to get some interval training in and I'm such a creature of habit that I need zombies to help me do it.
  • Rocbola
    Rocbola Posts: 1,998 Member
    Inside: Watch something on the TV or listen to music. I have a treadmill set up at home with a TV and loud stereo in the room.

    Outside: Try not to get hit by a car. Contemplate life.

Categories