how do you keep you mind motivated while running?

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  • chgudnitz
    chgudnitz Posts: 4,079
    I think while I run.

    It's not about keeping your mind motivated. It's more about not letting your mind think negative thoughts. Once the thoughts creep in about being tired or sore then you might as well kiss your run good-bye... Control your mind and your body will follow.
  • Jay_83
    Jay_83 Posts: 446
    Hey Connie!!
    There are trails down at the river you could try out, they go through the trees. C-rad goes through on his bike while I run on the upper path(that everyone else runs on). It's interesting down there. There are lots of encouraging people too when you are running on the Meewasin Trail. I made friends with some people, they run by and say good job or keep going, you're doing great. its very encouraging for a complete stranger to cheer you on. You could take S-boy out with you when you run, someone to talk to?? I have C-rad telling me how fast I'm running, how far I've ran and how far I need to go . . . little statistics while I'm running and it keeps me motivated. It's nice to hear it from him too that hes proud of me . . . and I hear it every day from S-boy about you so I'm sure he would help you with encouraging words. I think its to get him out there is the trick. lol. I also have markers of how far I've gone, so if I get up to the bend that goes into lawson, I know I'm 2 miles in. I think running outside is a lot easier on the brain, more to look at and focus on. If I feel sore or get tired, I tell C-rad and he tells me that I'm strong and I can work through this and to push harder. They are just words but they do wonders for me. Good luck!!
  • lexicalabrese
    lexicalabrese Posts: 200 Member
    I have taken to running outside while visiting my in-laws (which is where I'm at now) but when I'm at home I have my 14 month old to take with me, and I HATE to push a jogging stroller. I run on the treadmill at home (my husband is deployed, so there's nobody to watch her EVER so I can go run outside, which is a bummer) and I just think about how small and tiny I am going to be...not to mention how much healthier from getting that cardio in!

    That being said, I much prefer the outdoors to running on a treadmill. You get a better burn and it's not so boorrrrinnggg.
  • Zaggytiddies
    Zaggytiddies Posts: 326 Member
    I tell myself,"I can do anything for 5 mins." and then when I do it gives me motivation to do 5 more and on and on.
  • lvfunandfit
    lvfunandfit Posts: 654 Member
    I can't run on a treadmill. RUNNING AND RUNNING and going NOWHERE! BLAH! I have to run outside. I set my over all goal of distance. I map my runs http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/ or on https://my.garmin.com (I have a forerunner). If I leave the house running, I can't stop til I get home and If I don't go on my intended route then I consider that cheating. There is no cutting it short for me. I run with a friend for motivation OR if I'm running alone I listen to my ipod! The music helps! Plus I feel like I'm getting somewhere when I go outside. If you don't have a runner's watch then the app on the iphone that was mentioned is great! (if you have an iphone). Otherwise, set your course with the google pedometer and stick to it. =)
  • mamagooskie
    mamagooskie Posts: 2,964 Member
    Music is your friend! I'll be so tired I wanna quit and a good song comes on and I feel totally reenergized!
  • thenebean9
    thenebean9 Posts: 216
    In agreement with many here - a great playlist keeps me going! I just love getting lost in the music and having the beat and the lyrics keep me going!
  • RunRideRay
    RunRideRay Posts: 1,536 Member
    I give +1 to comments on shows or DVD's. Of course it is a mental game and not all master that. I rent action/suspense movies and get my head totally in another world. Sometimes I break it into 2 workouts, which gives me a good reason to finish the movie the next day. Other times, either by plan or the movie is good, I will just finish the whole thing. The other trick is finding a way to use headphones with the movie. Either wireless or drop a headphone extension wire from the ceiling (what I do).

    Beside the mental challege, I have a monster industrial fan mounted above my treadmill keeping me cool.

    I do prefer outside, but found either in oppressive cold or heat I'll have a fun workout catching up on action movies.

    Raymond
  • Jellybean1970
    Jellybean1970 Posts: 12 Member
    Wow! I am surprised at the amount of replies. This is my first posting. I love it. Thank you so much. I think that alone gives me more motivation. Some of the tricks I use already, but some are new and I will try. Thanks again for the support!:flowerforyou:
  • mlcraggs
    mlcraggs Posts: 3 Member
    Also an ipod with great tracks + the runkeeperpro app.

    I second this! I love Runkeeper. I put in my C25K intervals and it will even give you a pace during each interval. Music is wonderful, but for detail oriented people who want to track their progress over time, Runkeeper is amazing. It's great to look at your profile and see that you've gone from quick ten minute runs to a comfortable 40 minutes of interval jogging and walking. It's going to be even sweeter when I get to my goal of jogging 5k without panting like a dog.

    Plus, nothing will motivate to keep a reasonable pace, distance, and total time more than knowing that your friends and family can view your Runkeeper profile (if you choose to make your activities public) and see if you've been slacking :)
  • Happyguy
    Happyguy Posts: 90 Member
    I run outdoors and pay close attention to my surroundings. Two weeks ago I found a fifty dollar bill lying in the grass. The day before yesterday while crossing a railroad bridge in the middle of town I spotted two beavers in a small wooded area. And this is in a suburb of Indianapolis!
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