Keeping my mind occupied while running....

Voting podcasts too.

I used to listen to music but I found it frustrating over time. I did try an audiobook but the pace wasn't there for me. The readers vary so much, it is a bit potluck I think.

Then I discovered podcasts. I liked Serial Season 1 (hated 2, gave up after 3 episodes), PlantMoney (not actually about finances at all), Up and Vanished is great, I loved David Baddiel Tries to Understand too but I ran out of them.

There is really something for everyone.

With regard to storage, I use the Podcast Republic app and you can set it to automatically delete an episode once you've listened to it. I only download mine on wifi to protect my data.

Good luck!

I listen to podcasts when I walk.

"am up to 25 mins, but I'm finding that even with music, it's hard to focus on anything but how much longer I have to go."

I don't know, this seems kinda sad. Is your life so empty that there is nothing to contemplate for 25 minutes while out on a run? Is there nothing to think about for that time? Is there no imagination with which to fill this time? Have we finally come to that time where if we are not entertained by some outside influence we are hopeless and bored?

You can't check on your form, your surroundings, your neighbors going about there daily business, your day's events and how they went, what could have gone better and how to make tomorrow better? Remember fond times gone by? Think of good times to come? How much better you've become and how much better you will yet be? Work on a mantra that the propels you forward; a poem you read once, had read to you, that you should write? Running is a time where you are free to have all and any thoughts, mull them over discard those that are less than good and hone those that are good and can be better.

If all you can think about is how much further you have to go, perhaps running ain't for you.

Sara1791 wrote: »

pondee629 wrote: »

"am up to 25 mins, but I'm finding that even with music, it's hard to focus on anything but how much longer I have to go."

I don't know, this seems kinda sad. Is your life so empty that there is nothing to contemplate for 25 minutes while out on a run? Is there nothing to think about for that time? Is there no imagination with which to fill this time? Have we finally come to that time where if we are not entertained by some outside influence we are hopeless and bored?

You can't check on your form, your surroundings, your neighbors going about there daily business, your day's events and how they went, what could have gone better and how to make tomorrow better? Remember fond times gone by? Think of good times to come? How much better you've become and how much better you will yet be? Work on a mantra that the propels you forward; a poem you read once, had read to you, that you should write? Running is a time where you are free to have all and any thoughts, mull them over discard those that are less than good and hone those that are good and can be better.

If all you can think about is how much further you have to go, perhaps running ain't for you.

Pretty *kitten* and negative. Perhaps advice giving ain't for you.

No, you're only allowed to run if you think deep thoughts while you're doing it...haha.

OP, it's okay if it's just exercise for you, it doesn't have to be a meditative experience. If it is, that's great, but don't let the elitist stuff discourage you. It IS hard at first, and while it will get easier both physically and mentally with practice, there's no reason not to ease it where you can.

I use running playlists I create on Spotify. I have the set up various length and tempo runs. It helps me maintain a good pace

I listen to music and have an app that reports on various stats, pace, time, distance, etc., every half mile. I just sorta zone out and run. It's like my meditation. I'm assuming you're running outside? Treadmills are the spawn of Satan as far as boredom goes. Audio books sound like a good idea. My running app of choice, Runtastic, even offers a few free choices. Haven't tried it though.

I sort of agree with the idea that being able to occupy your mind in that twenty odd minutes shouldn't be hard. It could be concentrating on your breathing, or thinking about your form (actually you SHOULD spend some time checking in on your form, whatever you do), or if you're outside taking time to smell the roses as you run past

But if I'm on a treadmill, that time is interminable. I'm less in control of how my feet fall, and I can't micro-adjust my speed. Earlier this year I was listening to The Archers on podcast as a way through it. Episodes are 12/13 minutes long so a couple of those were just fine. Except the storyline was about domestic abuse, and I found myself getting angry out loud, which isn't the thing to do in a gym so maybe find a bit less intense storyline!!!

Sara1791 wrote: »

pondee629 wrote: »

"am up to 25 mins, but I'm finding that even with music, it's hard to focus on anything but how much longer I have to go."

I don't know, this seems kinda sad. Is your life so empty that there is nothing to contemplate for 25 minutes while out on a run? Is there nothing to think about for that time? Is there no imagination with which to fill this time? Have we finally come to that time where if we are not entertained by some outside influence we are hopeless and bored?

You can't check on your form, your surroundings, your neighbors going about there daily business, your day's events and how they went, what could have gone better and how to make tomorrow better? Remember fond times gone by? Think of good times to come? How much better you've become and how much better you will yet be? Work on a mantra that the propels you forward; a poem you read once, had read to you, that you should write? Running is a time where you are free to have all and any thoughts, mull them over discard those that are less than good and hone those that are good and can be better.

If all you can think about is how much further you have to go, perhaps running ain't for you.

Pretty *kitten* and negative. Perhaps advice giving ain't for you.

Aw c'mon. She asked what she should think about. really? I thought I gave some pretty positive ideas. She really has NOTHING to focus on except the end of her run.

I love music -- but sometimes I like to keep moving my heart rate around (using my monitor) which can keep me pretty focused -- up to 80 or 85% of my max and then down to 65% -- time goes by faster when I do this. I come up with a plan for how long to stay at my 80% vs. my 65 % (basically interval training). Another thing that makes it kind of meditative that I learned in a workshop called Chi running is to move focus up and down the body -- but mostly I need music because he freaks me out to hear my breathing (heavy)!

Just try some different things and find what works for you. I personally love music and singing along. Some people enjoy audiobooks or pod casts. Some enjoy just focusing on breathing and their form. If I'm trail running, I don't listen to music at all, just nature, my breathing and the sound of my feet. That's my true favorite.