how to clear mind for running

CheatinLil
CheatinLil Posts: 71 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
So the longest I have ever run is 40 minutes. My average now is 25 - 30 minutes. Usually closer to 25 minutes. I want to up my time. I think my problem is my mind. My thoughts are intrusive and they make me more tired. I want to shut off my brain but the worries of the world come crashing in. Do yall have strategies to clear your mind for running?

Replies

  • RavenLibra
    RavenLibra Posts: 1,737 Member
    running for me was zen... I focused on the rhythm.. my breathing, my footfall, pace... destination...and challenges...if anything from outside that space started seeping into my thoughts I wasn't running hard enough so I would pick up the pace
  • robininfl
    robininfl Posts: 1,137 Member
    edited May 2016
    Running isn't engaging enough for me to clear my mind, either. So yes, it's easy to start thinking about what else you need to be doing.

    I switch back and forth between music, no music, and singing while running, and change up the route. I had some injuries and like you, am only doing 25-30 minutes at this time, but wanted to give you hope - longer runs do more to clear your mind, once you get to the point where you do have to pay more attention to form and breathing it is more engaging.

    Try this - every time thoughts come in, count your steps and control your breath, so breathe in-2,3,4 out-2,3,4 or in-1,2 out 1,2 or whatever fits. Or sing, if you can. That works for me. Sometimes songs i know, sometimes just silly songs asking my legs to carry me, lungs to breathe, stuff like that.

    Also changing your speed, do a little burst of speed until you reach a landmark (fartleks) that can help.

    And finally - sometimes I just feel like i am running away from my problems, if that makes sense. Leave them behind, run away from them. Run like you are escaping.

    Good luck.
  • filovirus76
    filovirus76 Posts: 156 Member
    Run twenty+ minutes away from your house. You must get back home somehow. Running back will be your best option.
  • chiptease
    chiptease Posts: 70 Member
    I put on some music to pump me up. Like I'm in a music video or something. I break up each mile with bodyweight exercises (push ups, sit ups, etc.) so that I'm constantly focused on what's next during my jog. I always jog outdoors.
  • _Waffle_
    _Waffle_ Posts: 13,049 Member
    CheatinLil wrote: »
    So the longest I have ever run is 40 minutes. My average now is 25 - 30 minutes. Usually closer to 25 minutes. I want to up my time. I think my problem is my mind. My thoughts are intrusive and they make me more tired. I want to shut off my brain but the worries of the world come crashing in. Do yall have strategies to clear your mind for running?

    Are you running outside or on a treadmill? Treadmills are boring.

    How many days a week are you running 25 - 30 minutes?
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    CheatinLil wrote: »
    So the longest I have ever run is 40 minutes. My average now is 25 - 30 minutes. Usually closer to 25 minutes. I want to up my time. I think my problem is my mind. My thoughts are intrusive and they make me more tired. I want to shut off my brain but the worries of the world come crashing in. Do yall have strategies to clear your mind for running?

    Run faster, or uphill. Eventually you'll get to the point where you're working so hard you can't really focus on anything. Not exactly the best way to train day in and day out, but it can be nice when you're stressed.

    I'll second the other advice: run outdoors, and make a loop.
  • CheatinLil
    CheatinLil Posts: 71 Member
    Great suggestions! I love the running from my problems one. LOL! That should pick up my pace! :)

    I am running outside. My goal is 4 x a week. Sometimes it is 3 but usually it is 4. I do yoga 1 day a week and the other 2 days are rest days. One problem is my run days are Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. It maybe too much all at once but I don't want to procrastinate so I try and get them out of the way. Wednesday is yoga. Thursday is my make-up run day if I didn't run every day Saturday through Tuesday.
  • _Waffle_
    _Waffle_ Posts: 13,049 Member
    Focus on running for a longer amount of time/distance and don't worry about getting faster. You also might want to mix up your schedule so you get a day off of running. Can you do yoga on Monday and them run Tuesday and Wednesday? A single day off can help return some of that lost stamina. Think about how much easier Saturday is than Tuesday.

    Mix up your running workouts. Do something different on one of those days. Change your route. Listen to music. Change the time of day you run.

    Don't forget to run on Friday the 13th this week and pretend you're being chased by Jason.
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    Consider taking Sun or Mon off and make Thurs a regular running day instead. It's not recommended for beginners to run every day in a row.

    I count my breathing, listen to music, and picture the few times I've run with someone else. I just hit 40 min today.
  • Merrysix
    Merrysix Posts: 336 Member
    Music -- I love "my" music and it helps me clear my mind (plus can't stand to hear myself breathing hard). Today ran a very short amount (just 2 miles) but did it as high intensity interval training. Ran really hard to get my heart rate up to 85% max, and then ran slower until my heart rate came down to the lower end of my aerobic threshold. That really cleared my mind! That was all the time I had but it was great -- beautiful path, beautiful day.

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