What do you think about when you are running?

When I run outside, I think about my to-do list, when I'll need new shoes, listen to the actual lyrics of the songs and try to memorize them.
Treadmills bore me as well, but I've found I won't take the time out of my life if I don't go to the gym, so I've begun on the treadmill. I HAVE TO have really great, FUN music and I just focus on it and lip sync all the lyrics. SOmetimes I make a fool out of myself and do little arm motion dances(Let's face it, who can listen to Beyonce's put a ring on it and NOT want to do the hand thing during the "oh oh oh" part??" Makes it WAY more fun and manageable. And I get a treadmill that looks out over the parking lot, so I people watch and make stories up in my head about where people are going, what they will buy at the store, where they are going after the store, etc. I'm a dork.

i write when i run. in my head of course.

Similar to what TSEEKA said. Please don't judge! I've never tell people this, to save myself embarrasment.. BUT.. this is what I do... I listen to really fast paced music (often club music/some indie/a lot of electro or drum n Bass) and I set up a sort of music video in my head to go along with the music. However that isn't the main motivator. As I'm constructing the video I'm also constructing what I will look like at my "goal weight", alongside what outfit I'm wearing. And, I always run into an exboyfriend, a nemesis, that negative influence that a lot of us have in our lives, (that girl that flirts with your boyfriend, a coworker, etc.) and feel very smug about seeing them when my body could rival Beyonce, or Shakira (in my head!!). It's kind of shallow, but unfortunately I've found that shallow is what works for me in that instance. Looking hot and showing off... in my head.

Looking hot and showing off... in my head.

This is also motivation for me and I love to fantasize about it for hours... I am an old married chick with kids, too!

Well since this was my first day to try and run since college, I didn't think about much. I mostly prayed please don't let me die, please don't let me die :-)

pmsl

I have been running for a few years now and I STILL say stuff like that in my head.... :laugh:

I think it depends.... I dont really run but I sure have to zone out on the elliptical and the treadmill at max incline...

Usually I just zone out and go into a semi meditative state, trying to really listen to my breathing, feel my heart rate etc get in tune with me.

Sometimes I do the music video thing

Or I direct a movie in my head

Or I continue to write a book that I am working on in my head

It all just depends... I do a little of the competition too... I try to stay on as long as or longer than the person near me.

Mentally race other people on the treadmills. I'll pick someone out and tell myself I can't stop running until they stop running, or I'll try to run faster than someone or keep the same pace as someone else. It brings out my competitve spirit and keeps the boredom at bay!

I agree...the person next to you can be a great motivator. And they don't even know it! :happy:

i'll admit i am competitive, thought i can take you you punk on the treadmill n i am doing this for all the fat ppl who youve outrun *shaking fist in the air in challenge* so im running im running good too thinking im doing it im really doing it. Half an hour in my knee starts to hurt, run through it pain is your friend dough boy, 45 minutes in my knee really hurts i get off in agony, look up at my nemesis n hes only wearing a god damn triathlon 2009 t shirt fresh as a daisy.

shouldve read the t shirt first - in essence everytime i run its now against him, with his no sweating 'oh this old thing' t shirt grumble grumble......

If you can run outdoors that helps, if you have an iphone you can listen to Pandora or audibooks. I like pandora, I agree with whoever said they imagine themsleves being awesome in different ways Sometimes I run with friends so we chat about movies. If I am at home on the elliptical I load netflix on the ipad and watch a movie or episode of The Office, stand-up comedy is good too.

I'm finding the treadmill has become unbearable now that I can run longer and am not doing run/walk intervals anymore. It's boring! Music wasn't helping anymore. I tried audiobooks and that's great when you get engrossed, but I think feel like my eyes need something to do. I had been considering videos on my phone. Last night I tried running outside again and it was great. Much more interesting! The audiobook was great outside because it kept my mind distracted and the scenery, having to watch my step, navigate traffic, etc. added the rest that the treadmill was lacking. I do second leaving one earphone out though so that you can hear what's going on around you (be safe!).

Mentally race other people on the treadmills. I'll pick someone out and tell myself I can't stop running until they stop running, or I'll try to run faster than someone or keep the same pace as someone else. It brings out my competitve spirit and keeps the boredom at bay!

That's funny. I wondered if this was what people were doing. Since I started doing my C25k at the gym (week 4), I had been noticing people on treadmills next to me, who had not been running (were well into their time - saw machine) would start running. Typically, they'd run a minute or two and then stop. I wondered if they were looking at me at thinking that if this fat girl can run, so can I, but then I thought it's pretty self-centered and maybe it was just a coincidence or it happens to everyone. Now, I'm not so sure my initial assessment was wrong! That makes me happy though. If I can inspire someone else to run, go harder, or go longer, then awesome!

My nerd is about to show...
...I imagine the Doctor suddenly appearing, grabbing my head, and telling me to run. I've actually created a number of "routes" in my mind that I run through...never really sure what we're running from, but I always keep the TARDIS in the forefront of my mind's eye, and I don't let myself reach it until the end of the song. It's so silly, and I'm such a geek for doing it, but it WORKS! I've never felt so motivated before!

My nerdy side is showing too. I'd like to imagine chasing AFTER David Tennant. I'd love to be locked up in the TARDIS with him.*LOL*

Shannon

I listen to audiobooks or podcasts.

I pretend I am in a club and I put loud techno music on. I pretend that me running on the treadmill is powering the club and people are dancing everywhere. I try to run to the beat of the music...the faster the song the more motivated I get.

If I am outside, it doesn't take much motivation, I just love the feeling of running in the fresh air. I crave that moment- right before you are about to break a sweat- it is so liberating, its my drug!

Sometimes I'll go all Brad Pitt in Burn After Reading

My nerd is about to show...
...I imagine the Doctor suddenly appearing, grabbing my head, and telling me to run. I've actually created a number of "routes" in my mind that I run through...never really sure what we're running from, but I always keep the TARDIS in the forefront of my mind's eye, and I don't let myself reach it until the end of the song. It's so silly, and I'm such a geek for doing it, but it WORKS! I've never felt so motivated before!

My nerdy side is showing too. I'd like to imagine chasing AFTER David Tennant. I'd love to be locked up in the TARDIS with him.*LOL*

Shannon

Ahahaha! Well, there is that, too. Although it does create a quandary--would you ever actually want to catch up?

Because sure, then you'd catch him...but I think the view would be rather more advantageous from a few paces back! :P