What do you think about when you Run?

TMattP

Hello.

Odd question I guess, but I'm primarily a cyclist who has taken up running for the extra fitness. When I cycle I feel as If I'm constantly thinking about things. I'm reading the road and the traffic etc. Keeping an eye out for obstacles or where the best line is.

However, I ran 10k last night and my mind was all over the place. I suddenly realised that I'd gotten to half way and couldn't remember how I'd got there. It was odd but pleasant. I guess I just zoned out.

Anyone else come across this phenomenon? Or should I be concentrating on something?

hbrittingham

I wish I could just zone and then realize half my run was over! Instead, I keep looking at the mileage on the treadmill. If I run outside, I don't think about much other than how much better I'll feel once I'm done running. LOL

jemhh

I zone out a bit on a good run. I try to strike a balance between being aware of my surroundings and zoning out enough that my legs just kind of take me where I'm going and I don't keep thinking about how far I've gone or how far I still have to go. I have found that if I try to concentrate on my actual running, I fixate and then worry about what I'm doing wrong too much.

GradatimFerociter

The dog that is chasing me, usually.

4legsRbetterthan2

It varies alot, sometimes I actually focus on my running, I usually have music so sometimes it is just background noise and sometimes I focus on that, I always have my dog so I have to pay attention to her too if she needs something or there is tempting wildlife around, traffic and other people, and sometimes my mind wanders or I think about problems that need to be solved

segovm

So I used to run a lot as a kid and I would say for any long run it was just happy zen time for me. I would notice smells, the wind, feel the clouds passing the sun, but very much detached from the day to day stuff like bills, traffic, problems in general.

Most runs for me started with a grand effort to simply keep going and ended with the sad awareness that the run was unfortunately over.

Sobus76

i'm usually listening to a podcast to keep my mind off my run, and i'll be thinking about whatever they're talking about.

CharleneM723

As a math nerd, I think about how far I have left to go in terms of percentages. This happens whether I swim, run, or bike. I also think about my problems or life in general. I also think about how great I'll feel when I am done and that usually takes me to the end of my workout. When I start to get tired, I glance more at my phone in my arm band to see how much farther I have to go. I use an audio coach that clicks off at so much time and/or distance and I TRY to only rely on that for my stats.

I also plan meals out in my head and try to figure out how they budget into my caloric limit. Anything to keep my mind off of any pain, discomfort, or tiredness I may be feeling at that time.

handyrunner

sometimes zoning out is the only i can keep going...if im having a bad run that day..


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rebeccaplatt21

i just started C25K, and so only run for 60 sec at a time.....so what i think about for those 60 secs is: when is that damn lady going to tell me its time to start walking again!!!

sunflowerhippi

I tend to zone out into my music and thoughts about whats going on at work or with friends. If I think about running it won't happen.

knitapeace

Zombies.

I should mention that I usually run while listening to the Zombies, Run! app.

Johnplusfour

I love running. I stare at the white line and my feet as they move along and everything else becomes a blur. I don't think about anything and it's the most relaxing thing in the world!

Kr1ptonite

I think about how much i hate to run then i stop and walk.

ashdawg8790

I have ADHD... I think about ALL THE THINGS! "Hmm... Nice tree... I'm sweaty... That reminds me, it's time for me to mow the lawn again... Did I take the steaks out for lunch?... Wait, did I remember to lock the door?... When did I get my oil changed last... That movie was sooo funny!... I wonder what that guy is thinking about me doing the Lion King while running up the street..." etc. Rapid fire. Oy.

MamaFunky

I am always thinking that I hope a dog doesn't come out and bite me! Seriously...that is one of my worst fears when running. When I see a dog out in someones yard, I just hope and pray they have the invisible fence. I even told hubby I was thinking about running with one of those loud whistle things that can scare dogs away.

A few weeks ago a big German Sheppard was running towards the street barking, but thankfully he stopped and just stood there barking. I would have loved to have seen my face when I wasn't sure if there was an invisible fence or not!:laugh:

But, other than that...I just think about random things as well.

dbmata

However, I ran 10k last night and my mind was all over the place. I suddenly realised that I'd gotten to half way and couldn't remember how I'd got there. It was odd but pleasant. I guess I just zoned out.

I tend to get ragey and want to hurt someone. Which is good because I run slow, people can just walk away.

It's like yoga.

KameHameHaaaa

I run at night. You'd think I'd be thinking about the dangers of people but, I'm always afraid a dog will get out and get me -_- Or snakes since I've more than once almost tripped over one.

I also think about my heart rate and how many calories I've burned. I don't like running, I only do it to burn off however many extra calories I've eaten/want to eat LOL...so I'm constantly looking at my polar.

AnotherXFitGuy

Left, Right, Left, Right, Left, Right...usually to music.

Leadfoot_Lewis

"How much this sucks"

I obviously hate running but force myself to do so a couple of times a month.

dawnmcneil10

So I used to run a lot as a kid and I would say for any long run it was just happy zen time for me. I would notice smells, the wind, feel the clouds passing the sun, but very much detached from the day to day stuff like bills, traffic, problems in general.

This is pretty much what I'm like when I run, I try to just kick back and enjoy the run. I find I get bored on paths or the treadmill and get ADD brain another post shared what that's like but mostly I just tie up the shoes and go. It's time I take for myself because I deserve it.

Johnplusfour

You two with the dog issues otta consider running on a trail or at a school. I hate getting barked at by some retarded canine when i'm tryin to do my own thing. Kinda takes the fun out of it.

handyrunner

I run at night. You'd think I'd be thinking about the dangers of people but, I'm always afraid a dog will get out and get me -_- Or snakes since I've more than once almost tripped over one.

I also think about my heart rate and how many calories I've burned. I don't like running, I only do it to burn off however many extra calories I've eaten/want to eat LOL...so I'm constantly looking at my polar.

yea ive only had to dodge a snake once...was definitly a surprise.


but i dont worry about people, cars snow storms..thunder storms...just keep them darn dogs in the yard!!!

rsclause

Zone out to music on bluetooth headphones. Enjoy watching the sun start to rise and the city start to come to life. Its dead at 5:00 AM

KameHameHaaaa

I run at night. You'd think I'd be thinking about the dangers of people but, I'm always afraid a dog will get out and get me -_- Or snakes since I've more than once almost tripped over one.

I also think about my heart rate and how many calories I've burned. I don't like running, I only do it to burn off however many extra calories I've eaten/want to eat LOL...so I'm constantly looking at my polar.

yea ive only had to dodge a snake once...was definitly a surprise.


but i dont worry about people, cars snow storms..thunder storms...just keep them darn dogs in the yard!!!

I always carry a knife and sometimes a small can of mace on me just in case. I don't like hurting animals, and I generally love dogs. But if it comes down to it I WILL take it out! >_< Being mauled is not on my list of ways I'd want to die lol.

handyrunner

I run at night. You'd think I'd be thinking about the dangers of people but, I'm always afraid a dog will get out and get me -_- Or snakes since I've more than once almost tripped over one.

I also think about my heart rate and how many calories I've burned. I don't like running, I only do it to burn off however many extra calories I've eaten/want to eat LOL...so I'm constantly looking at my polar.

yea ive only had to dodge a snake once...was definitly a surprise.


but i dont worry about people, cars snow storms..thunder storms...just keep them darn dogs in the yard!!!

I always carry a knife and sometimes a small can of mace on me just in case. I don't like hurting animals, and I generally love dogs. But if it comes down to it I WILL take it out! >_< Being mauled is not on my list of ways I'd want to die lol.

i was reading the runners world forums one day when someone suggested bringing a gun to solve the problem..which then sparked this huge debate on whether to carry while running....very entertaining.

farfromthetree

i just started C25K, and so only run for 60 sec at a time.....so what i think about for those 60 secs is: when is that damn lady going to tell me its time to start walking again!!!

This made me smile. I am doing C25K also and now I am up to 30 minutes. It's a b*%ch! I used to say the same thing! Now I dont even look at the time left because it makes it worse!

and to answer the OP's question, I think about finishing...that's about it!

lborsato1

I run in the early morning hours - so I am usually thinking about my upcoming day at work and what I have to get done....
I also think about what my dog thinks when I wake him up at 4:45am to go for a run.....LOL

0somuchbetter0

only two minutes down oh god i'm tired there's no way i'm going to finish this why do i do this to myself i don't like running oh yeah to burn calories right don't look at the time don't look at the time my legs feel like lead only three minutes down and twenty seven to go it's hot out here who is that guy is he creepy or nice i dunno my legs are tired i can't breathe don't look at the time oh god only three and a half minutes that's twenty six and a half left i hate this so much definitely creepy he smiled at me i don't like that how much longer don't look at the time....

....and then something happens and I zone out and I don't even know what I've been thinking about. I forget to look at the time and suddenly I've been running for 25 minutes and it actually feels good and I push a little longer and I make it to 40 minutes and then I'm happy and tired.

dbmata

i was reading the runners world forums one day when someone suggested bringing a gun to solve the problem..which then sparked this huge debate on whether to carry while running....very entertaining.

There is one bike circuit I like, but has a lot of human flotsam that thinks my bike should be their bike, because stuff.

I'm not the sort to carry often, but one day I happened to have my LC9 on me when 3 of them decided that my bike was theirs. They quickly decided to go somewhere else, and everyone went home safe. Win win.

Sam_I_Am77

Ha, yeah running is boring as hell and I think about what else I should be doing. That's why most of my cardio is some anaerobic work which makes me focus on that moment.