Hey Runners! (Whether you run 10 steps or 10 miles)

I have a friend that uploads audio books on to her ipod whenever she runs a marathon lol for me, it's really tough in a gym. I prefer to run outside. That being said, I've found myself doing all sorts of things to keep me occupied. Before interviews I tend to go through potential questions in my head, I've found myself doing math (alright, I've ran for 3 miles, it's taken me this long, how fast is that, etc), I've had times where I imagine how good I'm going to feel if I finish the run instead of stopping short...

Another option is to try to work on various parts of your technique such as your stride length, or your breathing, for the duration of your run.... also, I've noticed that when I slow down and don't run so hard that I'm dying it's much easier to keep going and I can focus on the nice day or how good it feels to be working myself. Good luck!

I usually start counting. Once I hit that point of wanting to stop, I tell myself to go for another 10 seconds at least. Once I reach the end of that 10 seconds, I tell myself to go 10 more. Adding on time incrementally like that doesn't feel as hard on me as, say, telling myself to run another 5 minutes.

I actually have been experimenting with taking regular, planned walk breaks: http://jeffgalloway.com/training/walk_breaks.html

....to look forward to the progress I will see tomorrow. I say this to myself everytime I feel like I am going to stop. I also will tell myself, "Just a little bit more Teresa....you can make it." I always try to burn more calories than I did the day before. Yesterday, I burned 522, so today my goal would be to burn 523 or more. I start each week off with a goal and try really hard to meet it.

This sounds really sad but I do mathematical sums in my head!! When I was doing the couch to 5k I counted the number of step I took in the minute, 2 mins etc and now, when I'm struggling, I calculate stuff like steps in a marathon, half, 10k, to the pub etc etc. Anything to take my mind off it! When I'm doing the really steep hill near me it's "come on, just to the next tree", then the next etc

good luck!

B x

Oh yes, and if you feel like you need to walk, so what? Who gives a damn? If you HAVE to walk, just do it for 5 steps, or 10 then start running again. No big deal. If you know you aren't going to beat yourself up over walking then it makes it easier not to walk. Does that make any sense to anyone except me???!!! :laugh:

Tell myself I can't stop til the current song is done on my I-pod. And I"ve told myself that through about 5 or 6 songs!

Saying I have to take 20 more steps, then I can reassess.

Or to the next telephone pole, certain building, whatever.

I've also found a different song on my i-pod that gives me a boost.

I just refuse to walk during a run!!

Get some good music to listen to. For me a hard beat distracts me from the discomfort of running, and before you know it, my 30 minutes/3 miles are up!
Once I get a bit further in my training, I am planning on adding intervals to my runs a few times a week to change things up a bit.
Good luck!
~maddymama

This sounds really sad but I do mathematical sums in my head!! When I was doing the couch to 5k I counted the number of step I took in the minute, 2 mins etc and now, when I'm struggling, I calculate stuff like steps in a marathon, half, 10k, to the pub etc etc. Anything to take my mind off it! When I'm doing the really steep hill near me it's "come on, just to the next tree", then the next etc

good luck!

B x

I actually do similar- I run on .25 mile blocks, and calculate my possible paces for running each block- so at the end of each .25 mi I check my watch and spend a part of the next quarter mile calculating my pace.

Treadmills are the devil once you get used to running outside. There's so much more to occupy/distract you and so many more goals to set when you're outside. "one more block"...or "just get to that stop sign". Treadmill running is tough because all you've got is the clock and mileage slowly ticking away...

So if your forced to treadmill it, make sure you've got good, adrenaline pumping music to run too, or if you're in front of a tv find something that's really going to catch your interest. Or maybe play with your speeds. If you feel like petering out... slow your pace, but keep the running motion, and when your energy comes back, pick up the speed again. Or if you really have to stop and walk... raise the incline to keep your heart rate up.

Mostly just run through the doubt. Like others have mentioned, sometimes giving yourself time goals or counting is enough to get you through those "i hate this and want to stop" moments. Because if you're a runner, you know that just as quickly as those come on, you can feel great moments later.

Not sure if this will help, but it gets me through A couple months ago I saw something in a magazine that stuck with me and has helped me push when my mind wants to quit before I am ready. It is "The motivation to push your body comes from within." I put it as part of my signature so I won't forget it. I just say that repeatedly in my head as I think about why I don't want to stop. I also just focus on the music I am listening to instead of that little voice telling me to walk But I do still walk 2 min in between my runs, but it is slowly decreasing... Keep up the good work friend!! *hug*

Great music and jelly beans!

I feel parched when I'm running. I had a pocket full of sour jelly beans (YUM!) during my last 5k, and I popped one or two every two songs on the mp3 player. It gave me just enough juiciness in my mouth to make me not feel thirsty. And tasted soooo good.

Nothing wrong with walking sometimes. I'm not sure where you are running, but I always run outside and I pick landmarks along the way and try to run just a little further every day before I let myself walk. I also try and walk just a little bit less every time. Music also helps a lot. Not sure if you were ever a runner before, I used to run a lot and just reminding myself of the shape that I used to be in and how far I used to be able to run makes me keep pushing myself.

Can't say for a treadmill can't run more than 2 miles on them to boring. but outside I'll walk about 5 feet and say ok now you can do more because those people are watching and they think your slow.( I run back roads in a small town there are no people!!) but for what ever reason the thought always gets me moving again