To count, or not to count.....

[Susojan]

Hi. When you're running, do you prefer to count your steps so you know exactly how far you're up to, or do you prefer to find out as the app tells you? I usually count, but have tried the last few runs just listening for the app - I think I prefer to count..... (A count of 80 steps from my lead foot is a minute for me...)

[JaySeeSkinny Graduate]

I don't count. There's too much other stuff to distract me. I tend to run with the podcast music and I rely on being told. By running the same route I also know approximately how far I've gone, although I'll be shaking that up in the near future. If you run with your own music you can also count the songs and approximately work out where you are.

[goonkeepgoing Graduate]

When I first started, whilst I was trying to source an MP3 player, I would count. It did become a bit of a habit as I felt it kept my breathing steady.

[yamiskoi Graduate]

I don't count. I like to guess roughly where I am in a run but do tend to judge it by distance around my usual route, for example. I have an app which tells me some info but not my steps. Ultimately though if focusing on your steps keeps you going, you keep on doing it!

[Rignold]

Blimey. It had never even occurred to me to count paces. I'm not sure I even could. I have trouble enough counting reps doing exercise and that's only going up to a 100 or so. at 180 footfalls a minute for 30 mins I can just envisage going "5,289, 5,290, 5,29- oh wait, what... dmanit, lost count! Have to start again..."

Wuld it not b much easier just to wear a watch?

[Susojan Graduate in reply to Rignold]

Good point!

[rmnsuk Graduate]

Ive tried to count paces to calculate my cadence. It doesn't work at all for me. I tried counting bridges on the canal to figure out how far i had left and lost count of them too. I'm running for sport relief and I have to run 25 laps of the track. I thought about taking a pocketful of 5ps and dropping one each lap till my pocket is empty. I bet it doesn't work. I'll probably run a HM before I drop the lst one.

[Susojan Graduate in reply to rmnsuk]

Would be more cost effective to hang on to them though! 😄

[misswobble Graduate]

I counted. Breathe two, three, four. Whatever works for you is fine. I don't do it now but it really helped me when I was getting into the swing of things ☺

[Susojan Graduate in reply to misswobble]

I guess that's what I'm doing - it's kind of like a meditation and if I'm getting tired, it also helps me to push on to finish. I've not pulled up on any of my runs yet (next one is W8R1) so it has been helping to take my mind off my tired legs!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate in reply to Susojan]

Well done you are doing great..almost there. Now you are running for 25 mins are you finding your breathing settles a bit once you are about 10 mins in? I think this is something that happens around this point and is a lovely surprise....

I now record my run on my phone (in a bumbag) on Strava which is fun to look at when i get home. Dont think i could keep count for that long I need to just focus on moving forward and breathing, oh and crossing a road, oh and muddy puddles...

Let us know how you're getting on. So close to graduation. Good luck. Carry on counting if it helps you.

[secan Graduate]

I don't count. I just follow my train of thoughts and leave to Laura the job of keeping track of the running session.