I have been thinking about this for some time, and I guess everyone is different, but what goes on in everyone's head when they are out for a long run?
Have a habit of talking or singing to myself if on my own. Can get embarrassing if a dog walker pop's out of nowhere and I'm happily singing away to some classic white zombie/prodigy with air guitar or drums.
I think about allsorts of stuff, but mostly food - what I need to buy grocery-wise, what I'm gonna have for tea etc. Other than that I normally sing rhymes in my head to keep my pace right - 'Knick-knack-paddy-whack' and 'Seven Drunken Nights' are my personal favourites
My running partner often used to ask me this question when she used to run with her ipod on. She would ask me what I think about, I told her I didnt really know and forgot, in reality I think about her and wished she was more than just a running partner!! Certainly takes away any physical pain I might be feeling.
On a more serious note I tend to think about positive things and how chuffed I am that I've started running and just how generally good it feels to be out pounding the pavements. Lonely bypass routes, big hills, endless rain, blistering heat, sore achilles, aching groin, they dont even come into question when I'm running. I just keep smiling. Somedays I think I will turn in Forest Gump and just keep running.................
I spent one hour today without being able to get rid of a javascript function that I have been trying to fix at work... which is quite horrid, instead of focusing on speed, I go stg like...
No good thinking about sexy women when I'm running
Especially bad if you are also wearing tight lycra running shorts!
I'm not speaking from personal experience you understand, its just a thought....er....hasn't happened to me before....er...em.......lets move on
Ah, it's all coming out now Mick!
Here's hoping it's not coming out - not in public anyway!!
I tend to let my mind wander. I usually listen to music and sometimes the a song will revive memories from the past. Most of all I switch off. I very rarely think about work or any problems I may be encountering.
All I can think about is the pain, torture, suffering and discomfort I'm going through. That, and how can I call an ambulance if I need one...
That pretty much the same as me, lol!
Sometimes I dont really think about anything, just hum along to whatever I'm listening to, other times when I'm in pain just thinking about finishing one more mile or the feeling you get when you finish!
I tried earlier advice not to think about anything while on the run, and reassure myself how lucky I am to do this. And it worked! 7 miles ran, and felt like I could have ran 7 more!
I treat it as time to concentrate on me. I tend to put the world to rights. Rehearse arguments, revisit decisions. Talk to my dad (in my head, he's dead, so can't actually talk to him) Generally work through all the worries and bothers that otherwise tend to clutter up my head. Somehow the problems get left out on the hedgerows and I feel better for the experience both physically and mentally.
That sounds really heavy, it doesn't feel like it at the time. it isn't necessarily the whole run either, there's things like "I wonder what the bird over there is, haven't got the specs, so can't see it clearly, wonder if it will sit there long enought for me to get it in focus... oh it's gone." and "ooops, that was slippy" or "urgh, just stuck my hand in the mud my trainers left on the stile, wonder if i could wipe it on my T-shirt - nope, that hasn't helped." And so on. Sometimes out loud. to myself.
Comments
Same as JP. It's "me" time....
Sometimes I might have been singing the same over and over in my head for an hour and a half and I haven't even noticed.......
Other than that I might think about dinner...
I have drumming day dreams, where I'm on stage and I'm really good......and I'm possibly wearing spandex
In reality, I'm in a glorified shed, I'm not very good and I'm wearing jeans
What I'm going to have to eat when I get back home.
Or I'll daydream about the latest hot celeb I've got a crush on
I like his lisp and he's very knowledgeable about locations....
ok, ok - just Robert Downey Jr
my WORD that's a pretty man - he should get you round ay least 17 miles!
I'd like to think my guy is knowledgable about locations.....
Just not geographical ones...
HAHA!!
No good thinking about sexy women when I'm running - my heart rate shoots up and I have to slow down!
My running partner often used to ask me this question when she used to run with her ipod on. She would ask me what I think about, I told her I didnt really know and forgot, in reality I think about her and wished she was more than just a running partner!! Certainly takes away any physical pain I might be feeling.
On a more serious note I tend to think about positive things and how chuffed I am that I've started running and just how generally good it feels to be out pounding the pavements. Lonely bypass routes, big hills, endless rain, blistering heat, sore achilles, aching groin, they dont even come into question when I'm running. I just keep smiling. Somedays I think I will turn in Forest Gump and just keep running.................
I'm not speaking from personal experience you understand, its just a thought....er....hasn't happened to me before....er...em.......lets move on
I spent one hour today without being able to get rid of a javascript function that I have been trying to fix at work... which is quite horrid, instead of focusing on speed, I go stg like...
if(document.getElementById("thisTypeOfTraining" = "rubbish"))
{
alert("You will die in the race");
}
honest!
Here's hoping it's not coming out - not in public anyway!!
I tend to let my mind wander. I usually listen to music and sometimes the a song will revive memories from the past. Most of all I switch off. I very rarely think about work or any problems I may be encountering.
That pretty much the same as me, lol!
Sometimes I dont really think about anything, just hum along to whatever I'm listening to, other times when I'm in pain just thinking about finishing one more mile or the feeling you get when you finish!
I compose my running diary entry in my head. .and then I take the applause from the imaginary supporters lining the route of my imaginary marahon..
sometimes I wave at them which can startle passers by who dont realize that they are my supporters in my race...
I treat it as time to concentrate on me. I tend to put the world to rights. Rehearse arguments, revisit decisions. Talk to my dad (in my head, he's dead, so can't actually talk to him) Generally work through all the worries and bothers that otherwise tend to clutter up my head. Somehow the problems get left out on the hedgerows and I feel better for the experience both physically and mentally.
That sounds really heavy, it doesn't feel like it at the time. it isn't necessarily the whole run either, there's things like "I wonder what the bird over there is, haven't got the specs, so can't see it clearly, wonder if it will sit there long enought for me to get it in focus... oh it's gone." and "ooops, that was slippy" or "urgh, just stuck my hand in the mud my trainers left on the stile, wonder if i could wipe it on my T-shirt - nope, that hasn't helped." And so on. Sometimes out loud. to myself.
Maybe therapy would be the answer???