dumb question, but I'll ask anyway...Re: running.

aeverton
aeverton Posts: 359
in Fitness and Exercise
I notice I look down about 6-8 ft in front of me...do most of you look out ahead at the horizon or down?

Angie
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Replies

  • PeachyPlum
    PeachyPlum Posts: 1,243 Member
    I look down as well, but I'm trying not to trip over a small dog who behaves rather erratically.

    I used to stare straight down when I ran on the treadmill. I think I was afraid I was going to fall off or something.
  • TaintedVampyre
    TaintedVampyre Posts: 1,428 Member
    I do both. I have this tendency of kicking myself in the calves so I'll look down to make sure I'm not going to twist my ankle on a random twig or stone (yes, my ankles are that sensitive) and then I look ahead to see any oncoming foot-traffic.
  • scottb81
    scottb81 Posts: 2,538 Member
    I look all around when running on roads to be sure I don't get run over. But I do spend a lot of time looking at where I am stepping to avoid holes and rocks.
  • viadelorosa03
    viadelorosa03 Posts: 65
    If I'm pushing myself physically (running up a steep/long hill) then I look down. It helps me mentally. Otherwise, I look around. :smile:
  • wewon
    wewon Posts: 838 Member
    I notice I look down about 6-8 ft in front of me...do most of you look out ahead at the horizon or down?

    Angie

    That's natural, I do the same thing until I become cognisant of it.

    Its best to keep your eyes on the horizon.
  • speedyf
    speedyf Posts: 1,571 Member
    I look all around when running on roads to be sure I don't get run over. But I do spend a lot of time looking at where I am stepping to avoid holes and rocks.

    Same here. I try to look further, but I always end up looking a few feet in front of me. That gives me the opportunity to see holes, rocks and other objects that I'll have to jump over...
  • mfanyafujo
    mfanyafujo Posts: 232 Member
    When I'm on a treadmill, I tend to look down. Otherwise, I might fall off. Done it before. Don't even get me started on the stupid TVs the gym puts right in front of the machine.

    Outside, I run on trails, so I look down a lot to check the ground, but otherwise I tend to sight see all over the place.
  • JoJo1953
    JoJo1953 Posts: 182 Member
    I look all around when running on roads to be sure I don't get run over. But I do spend a lot of time looking at where I am stepping to avoid holes and rocks.
    This is me too.
  • spacecase76
    spacecase76 Posts: 673 Member
    I look around, unless I am on uneven ground. Looking around helps distract me, I need that.
  • scapez
    scapez Posts: 2,018 Member
    Its best to keep your eyes on the horizon.

    This is true. I took a "Good Form Running" class at my local running store and we were instructed to look ahead...not down.
  • Diary_Queen
    Diary_Queen Posts: 1,314 Member
    I'm a rather floppy, jiggly runner from carrying a lot of weight in my stomach. I tend to look down as well because the impact sometimes interferes with a steady gaze out into the distance. I usually watch my feet also so I dont trip over them and the trail because I'm a trail/park runner.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    I notice I look down about 6-8 ft in front of me...do most of you look out ahead at the horizon or down?

    Angie

    That's natural, I do the same thing until I become cognisant of it.

    Its best to keep your eyes on the horizon.

    Not for me it isn't. I look down because then I can convince myself that the end is closer than it is. I only look up if safety requires it. I like to look down and sort of hypnotize myself with counting or other rhythmic brain activity. I really don't enjoy running. IMO there are only 2 good things about running. The minute it's over, and the changes I see in the mirror.
  • lisapr123
    lisapr123 Posts: 863 Member
    Depends on the terrain. I'm generally a road runner (my neighborhood has really nice roads) and look ahead quite a bit, scanning the area for people/cars/etc...

    Yesterday I ran on a trail that was partially rugged, so it was head down the whole time.
  • jsapninz
    jsapninz Posts: 909 Member
    I look down, about 6 feet as well unless I am crossing a street and then I look for cars.... I can't notice the pretty scenery. :ohwell:

    But I have always been very clumsy, so I think that's why I do it. When I first started running I randomly fell for no reason other than I tripped over my own feet :laugh:
  • jsapninz
    jsapninz Posts: 909 Member
    IMO there are only 2 good things about running. The minute it's over, and the changes I see in the mirror.

    My sentiments EXACTLY.
    In fact, when it is over it doesn't feel that peachy either when I am huffing and puffing and sweating and generally feeling icky.
  • katemme
    katemme Posts: 191
    I get tunnel vision almost when I run! I run on the road and do some trails. The sidewalks around my neighbor hood are uneven sometimes, I tend to look down about 10 ft in front of me, and turn my head occasionally to check for cars.
  • runnercheryl
    runnercheryl Posts: 1,314 Member
    I'll occasionally glance down to check my feet and make sure I'm running with good form, but I find that unless I'm staring straight ahead at a fixed point I forget to breathe properly, start going faster than I want and feel my endurance slipping. I usually stare ahead, get close to what I was staring at, look down and check my feet then look up quickly, find a new fixed point and carry on.
  • will010574
    will010574 Posts: 761 Member
    I hate running at least before and most of during but I still do it. As for me, when I am smoke checked I look down because all my energy is going to putting one foot in front of the other and I have nothing left to pick my head up.
    If I am running through the campus downtown and all the 20 something coeds are out and about, then my head is all over the place!

    But yes, as a former good runner it is best practice to look towards the horizon and not down at the ground. I am now an amateur and am happy just to get my lazy *kitten* out running and therefore I will look wherever I want!
  • TourThePast
    TourThePast Posts: 1,753 Member
    Unless I'm running on a very poor surface, I look ahead, telling myself "just as far as that next tree".

    If you're looking down, surely your chest can't expand properly, your shoulders would hunch and it would affect your posture and breathing? Doesn't work for me personally.
  • willismack2
    willismack2 Posts: 84
    When I am running uphill, I look to the heavens and pray for mercy.
  • cushygal
    cushygal Posts: 586 Member
    I love looking around and checking out the scenery. Very seldom do I look down unless the road I am on is very uneven.

    I love running thru rich neighbourhoods and checking out their homes, cars and their landscaping. I live on Cape Cod and yesterday I ran the neighbourhood where the Kennedy compound is. So beautiful.
  • smilebhappy
    smilebhappy Posts: 811 Member
    If you're looking down, surely your chest can't expand properly, your shoulders would hunch and it would affect your posture and breathing? Doesn't work for me personally.

    ^^^^^ this is a very good point!!
    I tend to look down because I am always running on uneven ground but I always have difficulties w/my breathing.
    Must start to look towards the horizon =)
  • volvol16
    volvol16 Posts: 45 Member
    I read this great book by Kara Goucher called "Running for Women" and in the book she gives a bunch of really great tips. One of them is to look to the horizon while running because you'll power through hills and such much better than if you are looking down. I would suggest getting the book! It's a great read and really inspiring.

    Hope this helps!

    PS. Add me--i'm an avid runner :)
  • MissingMinnesota
    MissingMinnesota Posts: 7,486 Member
    I think of it like driving a car. Where I am mainly looking ahead but also can see things right infront fo you. Ground = speedometer.
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    In the winter when the ground is icy I find myself looking down a lot, and I find it very annoying. I find that if you're not enjoying the scenery, you might as well be on a treadmill where you have luxuries like water you don't have to carry and bathrooms.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Unless I'm running on a very poor surface, I look ahead, telling myself "just as far as that next tree".

    If you're looking down, surely your chest can't expand properly, your shoulders would hunch and it would affect your posture and breathing? Doesn't work for me personally.

    ?? My chest is in the same position whether I look down or up. It's not as if I'm bending over. I'm just moving my eyes and perhaps my neck a little. Looking down doesn't require full body movement.
  • coopersmom2006
    coopersmom2006 Posts: 839
    I look in front of me (especially after falling and leaving behind a large chunk out of my elbow 2 weeks ago) and occasionally look around. I try to remind myself to take in some of the amazing scenery during my run. LOL!
  • speedyf
    speedyf Posts: 1,571 Member
    When I am running uphill, I look to the heavens and pray for mercy.

    LOL
  • jcjsjones
    jcjsjones Posts: 571 Member
    When I am running uphill, I look to the heavens and pray for mercy.

    Hahaha! Me too!! :laugh:
  • katscoots
    katscoots Posts: 255 Member
    kinda look off into the distance...helps to clear my head; and helps me not trip and fall...I tend to be a little less graceful than most :-)

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