I have a 3.5 loop that I run on our family farm. I like to break down each section and think, "I only have to run this section of the loop X more times to achieve my goal. I also like to place a water bottle or two (depending on how many loops I do) at the starting point, and tell myself, "When I get back to the point A, I get a little reward for the next loop!" Also, taking in the scenery helps to focus my mind on more than the run!

I coach my son's soccer team so I will often think of drills/games. I also break up my long runs into sections and will say if I am struggling can turn back sooner but usually once I get there I find I can go on . I also think about what I will be doing later in the day and think about how much happier I am when I have accomplished my goal and did not stop sooner.

Alot of the time I think about setting a PR in a certain distance. Self talk is important as a runner.

Agreed. When I start to drag, I think about what I'm doing wrong that causes the meltdown. I start concentrating on cadence, posture, uphill and downhill form and how I can improve times using flatness and elevation changes. Before you know it, the wall is gone and the miles start clicking faster. In the Texas heat, my trick is to be confident in watching other runners crap out before me. Sad but true. I think of how much stronger I am than those people, even though I've been the one to have to stop also. Just not on that day.

When I am competing in a race, I tell myself... "there is no way that 8 year old kid is going to beat me." That actually works!!!

I tell myself a lot of things...

If I'm starting to wane on motivation, I tell myself "There are lots of people who CAN'T run because they are in wheelchairs or had horrible accidents. Running is a privilege, don't waste it." That actually works REALLY well when I think of people who don't get to run and who would love to have the ability to be mobile.

If I'm training for an event, I say "If you can't run this, you'll never make it at (enter event)."

If I'm just feeling tired, I'll set small goals, pick out something I see in the near horizon and tell myself to run to there, then decide if I want to walk. Nearly all of the time I get there, pick a new spot and keep on moving.

If I'm just starting to lag, I'll start doing little "systems" checks on my body where I focus on different areas and check in on how I'm doing. Ankles okay? Knees okay? Legs feeling good? Back hurting? Etc.... distracts me from actually moving.

And lastly, I concentrate on how good it feels when I'm done, how accomplished, and that I'm doing something lovely for my body - something really good. It's "take care" time for myself.

I sing songs in my head, I pass people and tell myself "don't let them beat you." I say "Only x miles left to go," etc.

I tell myself, "You're one step closer to the end." and "You're not a quitter, you're a WINNER, and WINNERS don't quit."

I really don't use any, and just embrace the heat. But don't really get that much of it so it is a bit rewarding. But to be honest when it is really really hot (humid) I remind myself of how winter sucks!!

I break down the run into halves and congratulate myself when each marker is accomplished. I also picture myself crossing the finish line of my next race or simply reaching the end of my run for that day. MUSIC is also a HUGE distraction for me and gets me through all my runs.