When you run...

cessnaholly

what are you thinking about?

Running is new for me and it is tough. Today when I was about to give up, I started seeing all the pictures of my MFP peeps with their race bibs at the ends of their races, my friend Jess who has finished the C25K and is now starting to run races, my brother who is training for a marathon in the fall...Of course I was also thinking, "man I'm sweaty," "can I finish my run?" "I wonder what other people think when they run," and "I AM GONNA DIE if i don't stop running now."

Oh - and you never know when your pictures that you post here inspire other people - like me. Keep them coming...

What do you guys think of?

vim_n_vigor

I have asthma, so I need to control my breathing so I don't have an attack. I will do my multiplication tables in my head. I know I am going to fast if I am not able to do the 'harder' sets anymore. It also gives me a rythym for my breathing.

lstnlondry

There's nothing that compares to the absolute high of running past the time you thought you would die! I too have pictures in my mind and I always think "thank God I am healthy enough to run & complain! Some people can't get off the couch!"

jamie31

I listen to music so i dont concentrate on anyting but that. Its my time to have a clear mind. no stress from work or other people

JoolieW68

I listen to music and pretend I'm singing to a crowd of people.....I always wanted to be a singer, but I know my limitations

datguy2011

I count my steps with the music at times.... helps me get through the running part.... sometimes I find myself counting on my fingers... strange eh.

lacroyx

I sometimes jog out at night. during the winter when it snows I sometimes think about flying through space pretending I am the Millenium Falcon from Star Wars. I'll even listen to the Star Wars soundtrack on my mp3 player. ( yes I am a geek/nerd why do you ask? :bigsmile: )

bcattoes

I try to think about how good running is for me, how great it's going to be to run my first 5k, what we should do this weekend, how it's nice to be out in the frest air.

But I mostly think about how much how embarrassing it's going to be if I can't finish the 5k race, whether my lungs really will explode if I keep going, how hot it is, how can the wind be in my face in both directions.

TKHappy

I have a little coach in my head when I run LOL! I am always hearing "see that pool ahead, get there....faster faster" or "show that hill who's boss....thats right, your boss". Sometimes I think about how my legs feel stronger, how I look to people passing by....I make a point to smile because I always hear people talking about how unhappy runners look. I also try not to think about anything at all other than breathe and the sound of my feet hitting the pavement. So it really depends on the day and mood I'm in!

brasskim

I'm in Wk 3 of C25k. At first I have all sorts of thoughts running through my mind and start to get into the music. Once running, I thinking about my stride, my posture and concentrate on that, not too much though and have to stop myself from doing that. I think "Wow, I am really doing this and it's not all that bad" I think "Hmmm, I wonder where the turkeys are (we live in the country) or hope I don't startle a deer that then startles me. I think "This sucks" sometimes. And many times I get lost in the music and start singing...Out Loud! hahaha!! There's a hill I run up and all I can think of is to stay on the shoulder because if a car comes over that hill, I'm done for! About half way through my mind clears and all I do is take in the music, my stride and just reveling in the fact that I am running and it amazes me and makes so happy.

leahnoelle31

I stopped running with music years ago and now I LOVE the quiet or running in the early morning, at sunrise. Sometimes even the birds are too loud for me and disrupt my "zen"! I like to look at peoples houses and critique their landscaping. Or look at other people's outfits and critique what they are wearing. On occasion, songs will pop into my head (most commonly being "baby got back"...yeah, not sure how that one started.) If I'm on a tough hill, I think about a previous half marathon I did with a HUGE hill smack in the middle of the race and remind myself that if I did THAT hill, I can certianly do THIS hill.

Il_DaniD_lI

I think about my daughter, what I'm gonna eat when I get back, how great I feel, all good things! All the bad things just disappear

thebigcb

Usually the music, if I am ahead or behind time, is that dog going to attack me. That and I look like a mental case out here running in the cold

JBApplebee

I always listen to music when I run, because it gives me something to focus on (besides my breathing). Otherwise, with my ADHD, I can think about anything & everything & that in itself can get real distracting & annoying.

Frayed_Ends

I listen to music so i dont concentrate on anyting but that. Its my time to have a clear mind. no stress from work or other people

I do this too. My favorite song is 'This is Gonna Hurt.' If it doesn't I'm not running hard enough.

athensguy

I pretty much think about the same things I think about all the time unless my Garmin is complaining about me. Races, work, school, home life, food. If my Garmin is complaining I have to figure out why so I can get it to shut up.

songbyrdsweet

I always run with my dog...I attach her leash to my water bottle holder which looks kind of like a fanny pack. I usually am watching how much fun she's having and thinking of how adorable she is. ^_^ And also paying attention to the environment so I know if I need to remind her not to chase birds lol

SassyCalyGirl

just remember-your mind will give up way before your body will!

k1ngfl1pper

I ask myself, when did the zombie apocalypse happen and how come I didn't know sooner??? (I only run when chased... bad knees...) :sad:

johnlatv

i think about everything and i nothing. I try to stay out of my head, I'll start getting thoughts of stopping.

laurasimmons

I listen to music to try and distract myself but I am usually thinking about how far i'v gone, how much further I have to go, and how fast I am doing it. It's inevitable.

runwithitwerewinning

running is my thinking time. i work out my whatever problems i've got going on. i'll think of funny things that have happened. i daydream. a lot of times i'll listen to a podcast and get into what they're discussing. and sometimes I'll just think about not wanting to be pudgy.
Ï hated every minute of training, but I told myself suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion"- Muhammad Ali

DannyMussels

Chasing girls.

And how fast I have to be to catch em all, like pokemon.

ShawnaRaeDunn

I used to "run" but haven't in years. Then what would keep me going is, "dang girl, keep running so you can look like one of those sexy sweaty chics running down the street in those movies!" Today I actually just started jogging, slow jogging. But something is better than nothing. Now I think about my breathing while waiting for the timer to go off. Oh, yeah I jog in my house. I seem to do better that way.

BamaBreezeNSaltAire

I picture myself as the the Thoroughbred that's running for the Triple Crown, with me in the saddle. It helps me to forget the pain and concentrate on the finish line!

nickyeatrunread

Often, I just let my mind wander--rehearse conversations I need to have, think about what I need to do, how I'm feeling,etc.
I also try and think about how far I've come and how I never thought I'd be here and how much stronger my body is now.
That said, I also often look down to my Garmin and think: Omg, how have I not even gone another .10 miles since the last time I looked down?! (And, alternatively, sometimes I'm surprised that the distance is flying by).

Sometimes I play mental games with myself and say things like "In a mile... you can walk for a minute." Then, I either get to the mile and walk or make another bet that I can go even further.

Sometimes it's a struggle mentally (and physically) to keep coming and sometimes its not. Sometimes I listen to music and focus on that, sometimes I don't, you get the point.

I think that's what's cool about running--every time is a little different. So, my thoughts change. That said, after every run, I always think about how much I don't regret getting myself out the door!

Di3012

what are you thinking about?

Running is new for me and it is tough. Today when I was about to give up, I started seeing all the pictures of my MFP peeps with their race bibs at the ends of their races, my friend Jess who has finished the C25K and is now starting to run races, my brother who is training for a marathon in the fall...Of course I was also thinking, "man I'm sweaty," "can I finish my run?" "I wonder what other people think when they run," and "I AM GONNA DIE if i don't stop running now."

Oh - and you never know when your pictures that you post here inspire other people - like me. Keep them coming...

What do you guys think of?

I usually think of how disappointed I will be if I do not complete what I set out to do.

If you really and truly feel "at deaths door" sometimes during your run, that will often be to going out too fast, just slow right down, even if it is barely to a jog until you recover a bit and then you can fasten up again.

Nikkei24

I try to focus on other things or i use the time to think about things going on. Anything but concentrating on the laps or the time. Otherwise it makes it feel longer.

bicoastalgirl

i think about a variety of things: work issues; issues we are facing with our daughters; repairs to the house; how i'd like to tell off someone who was rude to me the day before (I can't really tell people off at work, so i tell them off in my head). I listen to music too, and I try not to think about running because that's when I start to doubt myself.

phillieschic

The bubble bath after this run is going to feel so good.
If I up my pace, I'll be done faster.
It's only 3 more minutes...
I have to pick up Nolan's (my youngest son) skateboard form the skate shop tomorrow...
I wonder if we have any Frosted Mini Wheats left.
I hope Owen (my oldest son) did his homework.
Did I turn off my curling iron?
Where does all of this sweat come from?
I can't believe Hope and Bo are still a main storyline on Days of our Lives.
Did I pay the cable bill?
Phillies better figure out how to hit the ball...

LOL, yeah, absolute randomness...plus, I watch tv at the same time. :laugh:

Smuterella

I am doing C25K and usually spend my running time thinking "I'm gonna die..." "How much longer?" "when will I get the hang of breathing properly?"