RUNNERS--what do you think of when you're running?

Curious to know...what do you guys think of when you're running?  I usually run and try to keep myself motivated with phrases like "just keep running" "only 30 minutes" etc. etc.  

 

Anyone else do something similar?  Any daydreamers out there?

I always worry I'll get bored but tend to eb able to entertain myself.

Music is a huge help.  Either my iPod or radio if I'm running on the treadmill.  Sometimes I motivate myself by saying. "It's like I didn't even eat___" which is maybe not the nest motivator but, hey, it works, heh.  I also schedule stuff- I have this weird habit with numbers.  I'm no huge lover of math but I just calculate/plan everything (and hardly ever stick to it).  Like- how much longer I'll run + homework time + making dinner- what time will each event happen?  How long?  Etc.

>I ran track all four years of high school plus the first year of college<  When doing short distance(2 miles or less) i'd focus on form(correct posture, am i landing mid foot like im supposed to be etc).  On longer runs i'd tend to let my mind wander think about what homework i had to do papers due that type of thing.

Well instead of telling myself I only have 30 minutes, I think of it in smaller terms. While I might end up running for 30 minutes, I say to myself "ok, 5 more minutes and then you can slow down" ... then if I've made it those 5 minutes, why not 5 more? Eventually I just get to the point where I'm having a good time running (endorphins and what not) and don't have to think about it anymore.

Original Post by tini87:

Well instead of telling myself I only have 30 minutes, I think of it in smaller terms. While I might end up running for 30 minutes, I say to myself "ok, 5 more minutes and then you can slow down" ... then if I've made it those 5 minutes, why not 5 more? Eventually I just get to the point where I'm having a good time running (endorphins and what not) and don't have to think about it anymore.

This is basically the same thing I do or I read the captions on the tv if I'm indoors on a treadmill. Outdoors is easy to stay motivated because I have to get back home somehow so running it is. I also trick myself by playing with the speed. Small goals definitely help.

1 word. Whitechapel

thanks for the responses...i was just curious to knwo what everyone else did while running...

anything in particular that helps you keep going when you're 5 minutes into it and you're already dying?

 

also--does your side ever hurt when running?  how do you run through that pain?

Hmm.. I alwaysssss listen to music, but a lot of the times when i'm running, I half close my eyes, take deep slow breaths through my nose, and I just take in how nice it is outside.  It goes by super fast when I'm outdoors. Treadmill is hell for me :|  Focusing on a spot far away also helps for me :)

i listen to rock music and sometimes try and sing it while running! i also think "ok i need to get to X amount of miles today)~erica

I listen to instrumental music and plot out the next chapter of a story I'm working on. It keeps me distracted and gives me material to sit down and type later in the day.

I listen to music on my ipod--a special running mix with lots of heavy rock and upbeat tunes.  And I look at the scenery, watch where I am putting my feet (I usually run on gravel roads) and keep an eye out for dogs and mountain-bikers.  Running outside is never boring, but I cannot abide treadmills.

I like to challenge myself often with completing a run without music. I use the time for personal reflection, or clearing my mind altogether. I often repeat yoga mantras in my mind - one, "So hum" where the so is on the inhale and hum is on the exhale. It helps with breath control and relaxation... it also makes time pass extremely quickly, sometimes! As is meditation, you often lose track of time and come into yourself - same with running. I like to mesh the two. 

Original Post by njasani:

thanks for the responses...i was just curious to knwo what everyone else did while running...

anything in particular that helps you keep going when you're 5 minutes into it and you're already dying?

 

also--does your side ever hurt when running?  how do you run through that pain?

 That pain in your side is most likely a stitch. I read some interesting articles on them that I can't find right now. Here's a few that I could find however:

http://www.bodyresults.com/E2sidestitches.asp

http://www.drmirkin.com/fitness/side_stitches .html

Apparently, people who run and breath out as they put their right foot down are more likely to get a stitch. It's due to when you breathe, your diaphragm goes up and down, and as you breathe heavier, it compresses some organs (I think the liver) which is why it's most often than not on your right hand side. This causes the muscle to cramp and spasm.

I get them quite badly and once I had one that came back every time I walked!

I find that if you slow your pace slightly, usually to a fast walk, and then dig your hand into the stitch and 'lift up' ever so slightly this allieviates the pain. You're literally stopping the muscle from spasming. Sometimes I run whilst holding my side like that if it's really bad, won't go away, and I need to get my 5k done! Although from experience I find it's best to let your stitch go away completely as if you run through it, it can keep coming back if your run daily.

I usually think about whatever's chasing me.

Short runs or speed training I think about form.

Long runs I like to chat with running companions.  If I am running alone, I like to listen to music.  I download an album  ...  listen to it  ...  eliminate the songs that I dislike and search for ones to add to my "marathon list".

Long runs where I don't have music I let my mind drift away  ...  to my children  ...  or even  something that I need to "think through".

In marathons I listen to music.  Pump me up  ...  motivate me  ...  rile me up music. 

I listen to music on my iPod, think about the upcoming day and what all I need to do that day and (here lately) try to come up with ways to make an extra $2,000 next year so I can take a Christmas vacation next December at DisneyWorld. 

I focus on a spot ahead of me, and take in the sights of the route I'm on, even if I've seen it all before numerous times.  And I make up rhythms and tunes in my head based on the rhythm of my footfalls.  Sometimes I think "that'd be an awesome guitar riff that I need to try when I get back home."

And of course, I totally forget about it during cool-down.

 

So much awesome music that the world will never hear.

I'm a huuuge daydreamer! Especially on my long runs (10-15 miles...gets boring) Some days I NEED my ipod and some days I literally play fairytale in my head lol. Or I'll think about things I wish I could say to people. Have you ever played out an argument in your head? Or even just a conversation? It always ends the way you want it to haha! yeah, sometimes I find I've done that and run farther than I intended to just because I was totally zoned out.

I honestly think only 5 more miles to go, only 4 more miles to go, only 3 more miles to go.....etc.  Probably doesn't help me any but that's what I do!! lol  I also try and concentrate on my form so I think about that quite a bit.

Original Post by runjenrun:

Original Post by njasani:

thanks for the responses...i was just curious to knwo what everyone else did while running...

anything in particular that helps you keep going when you're 5 minutes into it and you're already dying?

 

also--does your side ever hurt when running?  how do you run through that pain?

 That pain in your side is most likely a stitch. I read some interesting articles on them that I can't find right now. Here's a few that I could find however:

http://www.bodyresults.com/E2sidestitches.asp

http://www.drmirkin.com/fitness/side_stitches .html

Apparently, people who run and breath out as they put their right foot down are more likely to get a stitch. It's due to when you breathe, your diaphragm goes up and down, and as you breathe heavier, it compresses some organs (I think the liver) which is why it's most often than not on your right hand side. This causes the muscle to cramp and spasm.

I get them quite badly and once I had one that came back every time I walked!

I find that if you slow your pace slightly, usually to a fast walk, and then dig your hand into the stitch and 'lift up' ever so slightly this allieviates the pain. You're literally stopping the muscle from spasming. Sometimes I run whilst holding my side like that if it's really bad, won't go away, and I need to get my 5k done! Although from experience I find it's best to let your stitch go away completely as if you run through it, it can keep coming back if your run daily.

 I sometimes get a pain when running as well.  As the article says, I am new to running and likely don't have good form etc.  The only problem is, that I have my pain on the left side rather than right.  Hmmm...?  I too find that I am dying after 5 minutes in.  I just started Couch to 5K so I am not even running the entire time!  I just keep thinking I don't know how anyone can run for a full 3 miles let alone more.  The nice thing about Couch to 5K is that you run for a minute and walk for a minute and a half.  When I do that, I just think I am not going to let a one minute run kick my ****.  Next phase will have me running for 1.5 minutes and walking for 2 min in between.  We'll see....I also try to keep my eye on the prize.  I keep thinking "if you don't want to go through this pain, don't eat ______".  Or, "Just think of the new clothes you can buy when you drop some weight" etc.  Good Luck to you.

I used to get stitches, but as I got better at running they went away. Hmm, never really considered it (I notice when pain comes, but not when it disappears :P). Maybe my form improved.

Anyways, I'm a huge daydreamer, and running provides a perfect chunk of time for uninterrupted fantasy! I can zone out most of the time, since I don't usually run on a road with cars or anything like that, so they tend to get very intricate. xDD When I get to the last few minutes of my run I think "Only 2 more minutes", etc, but if I think it too early it just discourages me. I can't think of anything like that at the beginning of my run. I've tried the whole 'Just 5 minutes' and then 'just another 5 minutes', etc, but I know I'm lying to myself so it just doesn't do anything for me. Weirdly enough though, in other sports I'll often think of it in terms of short little chunks. Another hmm. Okay, enough babbling. XDD I really shouldn't type things when I'm this tired.