How do you occupy your mind when running?

[Mustgetfitter]

I did W5R3 this morning. I was nervous about it, but made it through. The thing I found most difficult was the mental side. I need to keep my mind occupied so that I’m not thinking about how long I’ve got to go all the time. Up to now, I’ve been listening to audio books while running, which has helped a lot, but I’m worried won’t be enough now that the runs aren’t going to be broken up so much by the walks. What do other people do to ward off the mental boredom demons?

[Buddy34 Graduate]

I listen to music I like and change the playlist all the time😊

[Vintage61 Graduate]

My preference is music and I mix it up. Like to run to a beat. I have tried podcasts, some people like those but I went back to music.

[Hidden]

Shuffle music on Spotify. I read that music can reduce your perception of feeling tired by 12% or something. I've found it's not all music though - there are only certain tracks that lift me whilst running. So bit by bit, I'm removing tracks that, although I love to listen to, don't do anything for me during the run. Eventually, it'll be a super playlist where every track makes the time go quick.

[Mustgetfitter]

Ok, that’s interesting... it looks as if I should try music instead of the audio books. Thank you! Also, so far I have been running round a school athletics track which is nicely out of the way, but going round and round is quite boring. Maybe I should venture further afield.

[MummyTum Graduate in reply to Mustgetfitter]

Yes I did a bit of this on my very first run, but really didn’t like it, so changed straight away. I currently do a bit of pavement / street, then round the park, which works for me so far. I’ve only just finished w2 though so maybe I’ll start getting bored again.

Maybe warding off the boredom is a combination of route and audio input?

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

We listen to music we pick an artist we like and put it on shuffle

[IAmCharliemouse Graduate]

Yep, music. Runs are much tougher if my phone gives out on me and my music stops.

It's a good point though, because the mental side really is a huge part. I found, even early on, that I would be flagging and thinking I couldn't make it, but something would distract me and suddenly I'd be fine again. It's so difficult to separate physical fatigue from mental. Music definitely helps.

[Perygl Graduate]

I end up playing math tricks with my mind to break the time up. Every five minutes -- drink of water. Okay, five minutes, that's 20% of this run, now I only need to do that four more times. Okay, if I count to 150... and now backwards from 150 to zero.... Hey! 40% done. Etc.

Today I watched a chunk of that old movie "The Secret of NIMH" as I jogged, and that helped... but I still counted, and bargained, and panted.

[Eatrun Graduate in reply to Perygl]

How do u watch a movie and run at the same time?

[Perygl Graduate in reply to Eatrun]

I'm a treadmill runner, and my treadmill has a ledge for a tablet! Hurray for Amazon Prime videos.

[backintime Graduate]

There was a post from Stephen_UK on the Bridge to 10k forum on this subject recently. Maybe he will link it in here. Lots of interesting answers.

I do maths a lot, irrelevant maths, just mind occupying stuff.

I also consider completely irrelevant stuff, like when do you say "going to bed" as opposed to "going BACK to bed"...what makes the difference lol.

[Stephen_UK Graduate in reply to backintime]

Yes, the thread is here: healthunlocked.com/bridgeto...

[CookieM Graduate]

I mix it up. My preference is audio books, but I also listen to podcasts, radio and music. Depends on the run I am doing and the mood I am in!!

[Mustgetfitter]

Thank you, all, for your replies. I really appreciate all your thoughts and suggestions. I will mix it up... music, audio books, podcasts. When I go back to school (I’m a teacher) I am sure I will be thinking about work a lot and that will be a good distraction. I know it’s still early days, so maybe as I get fitter and more used to running, I will find the mental side easier. Fingers crossed.

Thank you!

[Jonno34 Graduate]

Music or Podcasts. You can find podcasts on just about any topic. I just listened to several about the moon landings, there is "No Such thing as a Fish" which deals with weird facts and I particularily liked "My Dad wrote a porno" not as raunchy as it sounds, very funny and massive following.

[Mustgetfitter in reply to Jonno34]

How funny... a friend recommended There’s no such thing as a Fish to me yesterday. I’d not heard of it before. Thanks!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Boredom? What is that?

Check out my past posts...

I look around, take it all in, absorb every single thing; sights, sounds, smell and sensations.. ( and that can work, wherever you may run). I then ramble about it in my run posts( Friends on here know how long they can be!)

This is just a example...( you may want to sit down..

healthunlocked.com/couchto5......

I also keep a diary log of all my runs too

I sometimes spend so long taking it all in, that the runs end up longer than they should!

I am still finding new routes four years on, still getting lost occasionally too and I have lived here for a lot of years!

Give folks you meet, funny names ( in your head) names for trees or bushes too.. one o our awesome runners named a bush after me! ( I was so thrilled)...!

I make up songs or rhymes too, usually in winter when it is dark and wet...the runs for me are about so much more than one foot in front of the other...At the moment, I am only getting in three or so a week, and I cannot wait for each one x

[Mustgetfitter in reply to Oldfloss]

Wow!! I think running round an athletics track isn’t helping the boredom. It does all look a bit the same. While I was beginning C25K I liked the predictability of the track and also that I wasn’t meeting people. However, maybe it’s time to venture out a bit further. I live in a city, so have been a bit unsure about running out and about. Now that I am getting fitter, though, I will give it a go. Thank you!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Mustgetfitter]

Brilliant...try and find safe routes with variation..depending what time you run.

It does add another dimension

[Hatman Graduate]

Be aware! As Old Floss says - notice things, with all your senses. I run past a tall hedge with pink flowers, that really smells good. That onshore breeze feels warm on my skin. Do my feet feel warm? Am I tense or relaxed! Is my neck tight? Perhaps even google ‘running meditation’?

Meditation only means to think deeply about something. I quickly say before you think I’ve gone all brown bread and sandals.

You can do all that with music too, if you wish. Be too busy to be bored.

[Hidden]

I go for a combination of music, podcasts and silence. The last one is tough due to the noise in our day to day lives. I heard a quote once that helps me prioritise some silence, ‘if you are not present to yourself, how can you be present to other people?’ So with no headphones I check in with myself and do a body scan. How does each part of my body feel physically and emotionally? It can be surprising what day to day life covers over. Then I try to be aware of my surroundings like old floss said. Lastly how is my internal narrative about who I am and my self worth? We are all equal and beautifully made. Enjoy the journey 😀

[Tasha99 Graduate]

Music 👍🏽

[ButtercupKid Graduate]

I make up daft poems and repeat them to myself: search the forum for “Mantra” and you’ll find some of them. My particular joy is “The 12 Days of C25k”, because at my pace it lasts roughly 5 minutes so is great for pacing myself 😄

[sigasiga Graduate]

Well done, once you've done weeks 5 and 6 you've cracked it really. I try to focus on the here and now when I'm running rather than on how far I've got to go. I've got a few different routes (although they overlap in places) for variety and I love the early morning birdsong and seeing the blossom, flowers etc change with the seasons. I don't listen to music but I do sing songs in my head - trying to remember the words occupies my brain! Just try to relax and go with whatever comes into your head and the time will fly by.

[Jogunlikely Graduate]

Nike Run Club guided runs are brilliant, often thought provoking. Some are the trainer on a specific topic and some are chats with famous runners. Lots of different lengths so you should be able to find one to suit. Oh and it's free.

I never ran the same route more that twice on C25k as I get bored very easily. So mix it up and explore your local area.

Lastly if not a NRC podcast then I just listen to Sara Cox show on Radio 2, I can't do pure music, I need some talking to focus on.

Now I've run a bit more I like to do my short runs, 10-15 mins with nothing in my ears. I have a lovely route so take in the views, smells and sounds.

Have fun.

[Cpankhurst1 Graduate]

Music and making new playlists makes a lot of difference to me. I also tend to relive situations in my head, nice ones most the time or think of why I’m doing the run etc. Sometimes I get to the end and realise I’ve zoned out which I love just time to be

[LucyLou9 Graduate]

The last few runs I’ve done have been with silence. I thought this would be hard but I gave it a try once and was fine. I just think about stuff and in a way find it easier than with music. With music playing I would think that I would carry on for x number of songs but now I just set off and try to resist checking the time until I’m well into the run. I also find that I’m not matching my pace to the beat of the music so I can slow down and manage some hills that I’ve never done before.

[scouse55mouse Graduate]

I like listening to podcasts, particularly interviews with interesting people. They can last 30, 45 or 60 minutes and sometimes it's wanting to hear the end of the interview that keeps me going. I can get so engrossed in it that I'm surprised by how quickly the time has gone!

[Comfortnotspeed]

I need music, my Spotify runspo list is massive 😃 I think about my next post on here. I also have to keep the dog in order ...

[Going4arun]

I look for, and count cats. Usually manage to spot between 3 and 7, but this probably makes me look a bit suspicious when running around the streets at 10pm. Have considered dropping cat treats as I run so they'd be waiting for me the next time I run. Did count pigeons once as I ran in the daytime and hadn't seen any cats after 20mins.

Probably not much help to you if you're running on a track.

[Mustgetfitter in reply to Going4arun]

That’s a great idea! Love it!

[Larrykat Graduate]

I found that running around on a track tires me out in about 800 metres. I can run (slowly) for over an hour on single circuits or out and back routes on roads/pavements in the area where I live but 8 to 10 minutes on the track nearly kills me. I have also found I enjoy running more out with friends. Otherwise music helps (though because of my routes I use bone conducting headphones)

[Mustgetfitter]

Masses of great advice. Thank you so much. I think part of the trouble for me is that I am still not fit enough so I find every run a struggle and am desperate for each one to finish. I know I AM getting fitter and like feeling fitter overall, but I’m not fit enough to enjoy the running yet. I hope that that will come.

[Hatman Graduate in reply to Mustgetfitter]

Fitter overall? Do you just run on alternate days? Any other exercise?

Possibly look at NHS STRENGTH & FLEX for the other days? Just a thought

[Mustgetfitter in reply to Hatman]

That’s a good idea. Yes, I run on alternate days. I walk the dogs every day, but don’t think briskly enough to count as exercise. You’re right... I will try to do Strength and Flex on the days in between. I have a bit of trouble with my calf muscles, so need to stretch them and build up their strength. Thank you!

[bfendt Graduate]

I listen to a book at bedtime on BBC Sounds. It usually goes straight from one episode to the next.

[Twinkle9 Graduate]

I listen to 80s music and it takes me back to my youth and my mind wonders , Also if you listen to Jo whiley she gives lots of tips. Also I quite often run the same route so know when I get to 3,5,8,10 minute milestones and I just feel happy that I have got that far without stopping and remember to amile it makes you feel happy inside ☹️