Getting out of your head while running?

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.

Pretty much this. I "write" blog posts or make up stories in my head. They are fantastic but once my run is over I can't remember them. LOL

And yah, the bad days I tell myself I have to do X and if I reach X and don't think i can go anymore I give myself permission to stop. If I reach X and feel good I push on until I finish the scheduled workout. More often than not I just keep going.

If you are getting the heavy legs/tired feeling between minutes 22-26 that is your body switching from glycogen in the muscles to fat burning, it takes my body 3 minutes to transition over but once it does I can run forever, those three minutes though feel like torture. Push through, slow way down, and just wait, you should feel your energy kick back up within 5 minutes max.

This is unlikely Glycogen levels would not on a normal person be depleted untill around 90 minutes of running.

^^^
This.
Also what another poster said about varying the speed..also terrain and routes to keep it interesting. I will tell you that my first run of the week..which also happends to be my first easy run after my Sunday long runs, always sucks..i just dont feel like doing them. but I think this is the best time to run because it trains your brain to deal with those feelings during a race.

That damn 'wall' has a lot to answer for(more talked about in regards to marathons but don't see why it can't be the case for shorter distances). As others have mentioned make sure you've taken on good nutrition/hydration etc.

I just tell myself that if I stop now then those previous Xmiles were for nothing and that's not an option so I keep going.

When I have this problem, I start breaking my run into a series of very small goals..for example:
"OK, I'll just keep jogging until I get to the silver car, then I'll stop to walk for a bit..."
(having reached the silver car) "OK, well I'll go just until the speed limit 35MPH sign..."
(at the 35MPH sign) "Well, maybe I can keep jogging just until I get to the intersection..."

etc.

If I GENUINELY can tell my body is saying "I *NEED* to walk...." I will....but this gets me through the times when I just want to give up and if I can keep at it, endorphins will eventually kick in to get me past all the mental weakness.

I also agree that a well-planned playlist...starting slow...building to a medium pace with a few faster "just do it" songs mixed in...back down to steady/medium...and closing with an all-out screaming go-and-get-it song for the last couple minutes of the run. I will try and time my footfalls to "hit" on the beat of the music oftentimes.

"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!

thanks for the reccomendation...will check this out!

I hate running an absolutely have this problem (about being in my own head while doing it). Some things that have helped me have already been mentioned, especially the DON'T START TOO FAST!! Even when doing a 5K race, I have noticed that taking it slow the first mile makes a HUGE difference for the rest of the run. Certainly, for me, company makes it MUCH easier to keep going, but in the absence of that, I do like having a fun playlist that pumps me up and motivates me to keep going. Finally, when I am thinking of stopping too early, what I often do is give myself a series of mini challenges ... Just do this next hill, make it to the next big intersection, etc. and as I push through that immediate challenge, I find I can keep going after that. But the biggest thing is JUST SLOW DOWN! Remember, you aren't trying to win it, just go the distance :-) Good luck!!!

I always listen to podcasts when running. I hate running, and whilst I'm doing it all I can think about is how much I hate it. Music just gets lost in the background. With a podcast (would work the same with an audiobook I presume) it's something I actually have to concentrate on, works as a good distraction.

^this! People find it so weird that I listen to talk radio (like NPR) podcasts, but for me, they make the time fly much more than music, which I seem to drown out. Find a few that you like and have them ready on your ipod!

For distractions, I use the "Zombies, Run!" app. you don't need to have the zombie chases switched on, the alternating between a minute or so of story that you have to pay attention between your music playlist tracks makes all the difference.

I echo the "Zombies, Run!" app it's fun.

I tell myself a couple things:

You don't stop when you are tired, you stop when you are done.

You are uncomfortable but you aren't dying.

Then I swear at things I'm mad at and it give me a bit of a push.

I imagine there is a crowd cheering me on.

Suck it up lady, you've been through worse.

Those are my mantras!

I get that way as well and my fix makes a person look insane, but I don't care. I have to say (aloud and repeatedly) "shut up brain!" and "you can do this, just keep going". I know I look crazy, but it helps.

Good luck and great job!