Getting out of your head while running?

Have you tried music for motivation on days when you don't want your thoughts taking over? I pay attention when Im listening to the radio - when a song comes on that makes me start bouncing in place or increases my heart rate, it gets put on my workout list. Then, when I can't put my stress and frustrations out of my head I use my iPod and just get lost in the music.

Yes! I can't run without music, I'm miserable without it. I've always listened to hip-hop/rap while running, but for some reason, I feel that I run longer and better breathing listening to country. It's so weird to me, but it works. Pistol Annies FTW!

Are you making sure you have fueled your workout? Did you eat enough to get you through?

Do a different route and run on time not distance. Also slow down you may be trying to run too fast you should be able to hold a conversation,

"Zen and the art of running" by Larry Shaprio

This is a really fun book that teaches awesome lessons about how to beat mental obstacles and instead relax and make the most of your runs! I've read a few books like this, and this one was my favorite. Check it out as one way to combat the issue!

Trust me, its all mental. When your mind starts to tell you your tired think about something else. You can visualize your goal which I find helpful, or if you find that corny just plan out your day or something. Thinking about how tired you are only makes you want to quit.

I put it down to "some days are like that."

Usually, I can disconnect my head from my legs and I love those runs, my thoughts flit from deep theological issues to "oh look, there's a cloud over there and it looks like a dragon" to wondering what's going on with a friend to "how much longer" to work stuff... And I feel like I could go on and on.

And then there are other days when it feels like I'm made of lead and every step is a trial. On those days, I tell myself that if I just can make it til about 2/3s of my regular run, I can quit. I can power through til that point and then I give myself permission to stop. By that point, I usually decide to keep going but every once in a while I stop.

Some days are happier runs than others.

http://bodybuilding.about.com/od/cardioexercisebasics/a/cardiobasics.htm

http://www.umich.edu/~medfit/resistancetraining/timingiseverything101705.html

These are just two I found in less than a minute, but after reading more than 2 dozen books on running, I will stand by my previous post. Believe it, don't believe, it doesn't matter, it's just something to consider. That's it.

I can self motivate for lifting weights, School work and most other things in life BUT running is difficult. I have a freakin COMMITTEE in my head telling me to stop or just use the eliptical. The only way I have overcome this is to get with a running group. Even if it's 1 day a week, they motivate me to keep going the rest of the time. I found mine through my local Point2Point running store, they have runners of all levels that meet every saturday morning and the split into groups according to your level and/or what you're training to do

^^This! A running group is a great option and motivator. I find myself running farther (and sometimes faster) when I do run with a group. I had always shied away from it in the past because I'm not a fast/strong runner but once I tried it, I realized how motivating it can be in a group setting!

Another thing that helps me push past those thoughts in my head or the screaming legs on fire is to tell myself okay just one more block or to the next stop sign/light, whatever. Usually by the time I get there, I'm ready to continue and those thoughts/burning legs are gone!

Good luck!

I'd have to agree with one of the posters above, the aim of the game is to run without thinking about it too much. Your form and pace should become automatic to a greater extent, and you can concentrate on other things, be it music, or listening to your own heartbeat and breathing and footfall (which is pretty hypnotic when you get into it).

If you're running into mental blocks try splitting the remainder of the run into smaller chunks: "I'll keep going to the next corner", "I'll push on to that big tree", etc. When you hit that small target, try to push on to the next one. That way instead of having one aim & one failure, you have a string of successes to push you on.

Finally, persistence will bring you familiarity, familiarity breeds confidence, and confidence will overcome almost any mental block. Everyone has good and bad days, the important thing is just to keep at it & you'll do fine!

I'm also going to suggest a running group or partner. This type of thing happens to me, too. I'll plan a 6 mile run and find myself wanting to quit at around mile 3. It's a lot harder to just stop when you're with someone else.

I have a similar problem when I run on the TM. I look at the time/calories/distance and start thinking ok I will take a break and walk when I reach..... I realized that I am just setting myself up to allow myself to stop even if I don't need to. I have started having this conversation in my head with myself about not needing a break and sometime I hear Jillian Michaels saying that you have to push yourself outside of your comfort zone.

I also have this problem with outdoor running, I keep checking my watch for time. I've tried running without a watch but I still psych myself out. A different route and good music seem to help. I also try to focus on my surroundings to stay in the moment instead of letting the thoughts in my head take over my run.

Best of luck.

Karen

not every run should be executed at the same pace - lets say you are running 10 min miles on you 3 miles run twice a week - and your 3rd run is the run you are adding distance to - run that at 11 mm pace.

There is also no reason why you can not stop for 1 min - stretch walk and them start to tun again - in fact in a long race you will likely be stopping at the water station every 3 miles or so anyway

What is your running program schedule like? Are you switching it up? Not just jogging all the time, but doing intervals for speed days and jogging for mileage days?

Interval days I definitely have to push myself, but they are intervals so if I need to I will jog as slow as a turtle during recovery.

For my long runs which I do at a slower pace, I turn my brain completely off and just stare straight ahead... like a zombie... ten's of minutes will pass before I tell myself hmmm maybe I should look at my watch. If you have a running app which tells you speed, distance, pace, etc maybe turn it to mute and just let yourself run and enjoy your music.