Question for runners

I listen to hard rock which usually keeps me focused. Last time I ran my headphones broke, which made me angry, but I just think about stuff like "this is for me!" or about the times when I couldn't even run a mile. Just generally I think about stuff that keeps me motivated.

Good luck! =-)

Sometimes I have a really hard time focusing while I am running. I find my mind wondering all over the place and it really affects my performance. Any advice on staying focused? What do ya'll think about during that 30-60 min??

If I stay focused on my running, I find it feels like it's so much more effort! I listen to music while I run - that way I tend to notice less when I am feeling out of breath and tired....if that makes sense!

I don't run with my MP3 player as it's distracting, unsafe where I run and upsets my rhythm. It's invaluable on the treadmill, however, where I'd otherwise bite my own arm off with boredom.

It's good to have a goal for each session to help you concentrate. I have three sessions a week; intervals, tempo and long, slow distance.

For intervals you don't have a chance to get bored as you work really hard for a short time and need to check the time; and for tempo you have to concentrate to keep up a faster pace that you can maintain. For the long, slow run, I watch the world go by and the seasons change and let my mind wander to fluffy kittens, rainbows and what I'm going to stuff my face with the minute I get through the door.

The wandering mind is the major challenge while running. I have to have headphones in so I dont hear my breathing. I pick songs I can ummm not really sing aloud to but sing to myself I guess, and run at a pace I can comfortably carry on a conversation. Running outside , I like to change my routes up also. I use an app for my iphone that tells my distance and pace. Treadmill I like to have a tv on, sometimes put in a movie to distract my mind from the task. During my workouts I will run four four or five minutes then pick two exercises to do five sets of five, then back and forth from run to weights until I get two or three miles in and four or five rounds of the five sets of five.

I just use the time to think. No ipod for me, as I run on the streets and sidewalks and need all my senses to ensure I don't get run over by a careless drive.

Sometimes I think about things going on in my life, sometimes my only focus is the trail. Sometimes my mind goes totally blank and I just run in a zone. Those are my best days.

I let my mind wander. As long as I'm still going the same distance, I don't care if I'm running at full steam or half steam... the calorie burn is going to be about the same. I'm only really focused when I'm doing a race and there's other people to keep up with or pass.

I switch up my music playlists a lot. Podcasts are a good idea. Every now and again, I go entirely without headphones and just listen to the outdoors (I'm in the country) and am always surprised at how listening to my cadence is relaxing.

Let your mind wander. I find when I'm TOO focused on the workout (i.e. on the treadmill downstairs with nothing to look at and bored), the run is harder mentally.

I run to let my mind escape for a bit actually. I listen to music and just let it wonder. Oddly relaxing.

I live in a rural area & usually run on back country roads. I always have to aware of my surroundings. People think that just because they are "out of traffic" texting & driving just became legal. :mad:

When I am running, I try to picture myself crossing the finish line, hoping that I had a safe, well-run race.