It's just another run, just like all the others, only it takes longer.

That's how I approach it. Simple.

I generally do out and backs. When I know I have a long run coming up over the weekend, I do have plenty of mind-games going on during the week in anticipation, but the more often I accomplish those long runs, the fewer mind games I experience... here is what works for me:

(1) I do out and backs - for some reason, the test for me is making it to the turn around point. If I reach the turn around point all that is left to do is get home. Even though the turn around point is 50% of the distance, it feels like 75% of the effort for me.
(2) I'm constantly doing fractions - for example, say I'm in the midst of a 10 mile run, so 5 miles is my halfway point that I care about getting to. Once I'm, for example, one mile in, I think 20% done! I only have to do that 4 more times! (in reality, I have to do that 9 more times, but like I said in #1, that return mileage really doesn't wear on me mentally).
(3) People are split on this, but I need/love/must have music on my training runs. My playlist is so very random, but I like it that way because then I can just skip songs until something suits my mood. Incidentally, during races, the music is far less important to me.
(4) as much as I can, I try to do my long weekend run first thing Saturday morning. I like getting it DONE so I don't have it hanging over my head the rest of my weekend.
(5) finally - just believe in yourself that you CAN go the distance. In some ways that the hardest, but most important part.

say anything over 10 miles

I love them, but think about them a little bit too much during the week - half in happy anticipation, half in anxiety about getting lost or hit by a car. Just wondering what advice seasoned runners might have for any aspect of planning and doing the weekly Long Run. Thanks in advance!

one foot in front of the other, right? )

I have found it helpful, if I am running a new route, to take a ride in my car along my planned route. It gives the brain a chance to understand the challenge. Every time I have run my longest distance, it was the hardest run I have ever done. The next time, when my mind and body understand the situation, it becomes easier.

I also find myself thinking about long runs during the week. I suspect that's just natural, and I would use that as positive energy to get yourself psyched up to do it. My next training program (starting in Jan) has 5 20's in it. I am already thinking about them! lol!

I generally do out and backs. When I know I have a long run coming up over the weekend, I do have plenty of mind-games going on during the week in anticipation, but the more often I accomplish those long runs, the fewer mind games I experience... here is what works for me:

(1) I do out and backs - for some reason, the test for me is making it to the turn around point. If I reach the turn around point all that is left to do is get home. Even though the turn around point is 50% of the distance, it feels like 75% of the effort for me.
(2) I'm constantly doing fractions - for example, say I'm in the midst of a 10 mile run, so 5 miles is my halfway point that I care about getting to. Once I'm, for example, one mile in, I think 20% done! I only have to do that 4 more times! (in reality, I have to do that 9 more times, but like I said in #1, that return mileage really doesn't wear on me mentally).
(3) People are split on this, but I need/love/must have music on my training runs. My playlist is so very random, but I like it that way because then I can just skip songs until something suits my mood. Incidentally, during races, the music is far less important to me.
(4) as much as I can, I try to do my long weekend run first thing Saturday morning. I like getting it DONE so I don't have it hanging over my head the rest of my weekend.
(5) finally - just believe in yourself that you CAN go the distance. In some ways that the hardest, but most important part.

Wow...I could have written this. This is me to a tee. I thought I was the only one that did the fraction thing because I'm a math geek. Glad to know I am not alone!

Personally, I like loops rather than running a straight out and back. I have two "standard" loop runs, one of which is a road course and the other which is a trail course. The trail course is a 10K run. It has an out and back component but it is more loop than out and back.

The road course loop I can add segments to extend or shorten the distance (the shorter distance has steeper hills so it is a tradeoff) but the basic road course is 8 miles. I can add to it so that it is 14 miles, but the road course still ends up being a loop that starts and ends on my street.

Time is always a factor. My longest running distance has been (excluding the marathon) 26 miles. Than was accomplished by running the trail loop, the full extended road course and then coming back for another loop around the trail course. At 5 miles per hour for the long endurance runs, that can take quite a few hours. But that is what needs to be dealt with.

I just go out and run. I don't think of it as a long run, I think of it as time by myself, for myself. It is the only time I get away from everyone. If I'm not feeling the run, I cut it shorter and if I'm feeling the run, I go longer.

Do an "out-and-back" - then you won't get lost, AND you're practically forced to go the whole distance - you have to get back home somehow!

EDIT to add - I just saw someone else posted about out-and-backs too - and they also brought up another good point - in that it kind of breaks up the run, because for the first half, you're just focused on getting to the half-way point, and not the entire distance overall. Makes it seem shorter.

Yeah, the hard half is all about "getting home" so you're motivated.