Voices in my head

May 8, 2007 12:09 PM

RunningFilter: What do you think about when you're running?

Training for a marathon. On those long runs, I find myself becoming distracted with thoughts of how far I have yet to go. Music is a distraction, but only for a bit. I don't have any friends who are training... I run in the city (Boston), with no access to trails or more "scenic" routes other than the Charles River to distract me. What is your trick?

posted by engling to Health & Fitness (40 answers total)

Not sure if it'd work for you, but I'd sometimes listen to audiobooks. Kept my attention better than music. Some people find it messes up their cadence, though.
posted by inigo2 at 12:20 PM on May 8, 2007

As an avid runner here, I usually think about nothing when running. Running is my hour or so each day to completely zone out and have silence, isolation, and time to myself.

I will use my mp3 player when running if I'm in the mood for some distraction, and will usually find a podcast of some new music. I'm a big fan of any of the KEXP podcasts. Though I haven't tried it yet, I would also imagine a book "on tape" on your music player would also be fairly intriguing and help break up the monotony of a long run.
posted by galimatias at 12:21 PM on May 8, 2007

sex, doesn't everybody?
posted by caddis at 12:22 PM on May 8, 2007

When I run, my mind always seems to wander where it shouldn't. Like, I start thinking about someone who pissed me off and then I start thinking of all the people who I can't stand. Then I start thinking of how I ruin their lives, destroy their reputations, key their cars, egg their houses, break their legs. You know, the usual.

I would never act on those impulses, obviously...
posted by HotPatatta at 12:23 PM on May 8, 2007 [3 favorites]

how much I hate running.
posted by lumpenprole at 12:24 PM on May 8, 2007

oops...I meant to write "how I could ruin their lives." Seriously. I'm non-violent.
posted by HotPatatta at 12:26 PM on May 8, 2007

Talky podcasts help. This American Life and Fresh Air are two I use for this purpose often.
posted by epugachev at 12:30 PM on May 8, 2007

sex, me too
posted by matteo at 12:33 PM on May 8, 2007

For me, first 2 miles is always hard, both mentally and physically - I don't know why, it just is. So, in those, nothing really helps, I just have to get over it. Then I come to a comfortable zone which is almost meditative, feels like I can run forever. During that time I always think about painting/artsy stuff (as a hobby, I paint). I make specific plans, lists of stuff to try etc. I find this process to be very engaging and exciting to the degree that running becomes a secondary task. When I realize I am about a mile away from that day's target distance, all I can think of is food.

I just remembered, I used to make collections of music in which the beat matched my stride. I used to find that very helpful, almost like a trainer. But that would only last 2-3 miles.

So, as a summary, if you have a hobby that you create something (writing/blogging, art stuff, entrepreneurship, inventing, don't know what else) and you are passionate about, then you can think about those and make specific plans/lists as you're running.

Good luck.
posted by eebs at 12:33 PM on May 8, 2007

I second epugachev. I find it much easier to focus on talk radio (of the NPR type, not the Limbaugh type). It makes the run seem quicker because I don't time it to the 3 minute songs like I do when listening to music.
posted by jk252b at 12:33 PM on May 8, 2007

@epugachev:
I listen those two podcasts when I walk. For some reason, it doesn't work when I run.
posted by eebs at 12:37 PM on May 8, 2007

Well, being in in the neighborhood, I'd contest the lack of routes (possibilities along the Emerald Necklace or the Minuteman), but what keeps me going have been podcasts, courses, and audiobooks (insert your favorite link here). Currently listening to Physics for Future Presidents (as seen in the green and blue) and I've been surprised at how speaking voices keep me appropriately focused and/or distracted during running way better than music can.
posted by zachxman at 12:37 PM on May 8, 2007

On those long runs, I find myself becoming distracted with thoughts of how far I have yet to go.

It's even worse during the actual race with those goddamed mile markers. I know how fast and how far I'm running, I don't need signs to help me along.

Music is good for short runs when you want to push yourself, but I find it distracting after 1 hour. Angry, pissed-off, revenge fantasies I save for speed days. There is nothing so good as taking your violent urges out on your own body.

For long runs, books on "tape", Steve Gibson's "Security Now" podcasts, and on the weekends Gwen Ifil's Washington Week (every Friday night) makes the time pass. More often than not, however, I turn off the player, zone out and think of nothing at all. If your tempo is right for the condition you are in, it's really quite natural. I also find that running the same route is less boring because it makes it easier to find the zone when you don't have to think about where you are going.
posted by three blind mice at 12:39 PM on May 8, 2007

It's variable, but sometimes I think about things that are going wrong, problems in my life, etc, and kind of let my footfalls massage them out . . . It can be cathartic and sometimes I have good or comforting ideas when I run. If it gets too emotional, you have to start walking though, and that's never good...
posted by bluenausea at 12:42 PM on May 8, 2007

I think about how much pain I'm in.
posted by DieHipsterDie at 12:50 PM on May 8, 2007

Here's my inner dialogue, transcribed. (note: I run 10 minute intervals.)

i'm not looking at my watch
i'm not looking at my watch
oh god
oh god jesus
i'm not looking at my watch
i'm not looking at my watch
it must be close to beeping any minute now
i'm not looking at my watch
i'm not looking at my watch
fuck it, i'm looking at my watch.
[looks] IT'S ONLY BEEN FOUR MINUTES???
there's no fucking way i'm making it another six minutes.
there's no fucking way i'm making it to the next stop sign.
oh god.
i am not cut out for this.
why the fuck did i think this was a good idea?
oh god
oh god
i can't breathe
i can't breathe
i'm not looking at my watch
i'm not looking at my watch
[...]
[watch beeps]
OH DEAR JESUS THANK YOU!!!
posted by loiseau at 1:03 PM on May 8, 2007 [11 favorites]

Oh, and an actual answer: google run clubs! Having someone to talk to along the way paces you and makes the time go 1000X faster. Really it does.
posted by loiseau at 1:05 PM on May 8, 2007

I like to listen to music on shuffle while running, so the Beatles or the Dead or the Hives or Mos Def might pop up at any moment. I often imagine myself playing air guitar, but I don't actually do it.

One time when I was running with a friend, and we were far enough away from each other that we couldn't chat, I was mulling over my thoughts about a Reinhold Neibuhr essay I'd recently read. That level of intellectual activity doesn't usually take place.

My brother said when he was running a ton that he would imagine his doppleganger, who wanted to join the CIA and kill third world peasants, running just a bit faster and working just a bit harder than him. That provided him with motivation.
posted by ibmcginty at 1:23 PM on May 8, 2007

Mostly about how I feel like I'm dieing, and then encouragements to just keep going.
posted by drezdn at 1:24 PM on May 8, 2007

My mind wanders when I run and I find myself thinking about pretty much anything. In fact, I find it is a good indicator for exertion level: if my mind isn't wandering, then I'm probably running too hard for a distance run (not an intensity workout, those are a lot harder to distract oneself from). Have you tried slowing down a bit? Running doesn't have to be unpleasurable.
posted by ssg at 1:31 PM on May 8, 2007

After the first 20 minutres, nothing but what is in front of me.

Isn't that the point?
posted by 517 at 2:10 PM on May 8, 2007

Girls...
posted by ZackTM at 2:19 PM on May 8, 2007

I think about ex-gfs.
And I count.
Mostly count.
posted by killermac at 2:20 PM on May 8, 2007

I abhor running and try to avoid it at all costs. If I absolutely can't escape this hideous torture, I spend most of my mental monologue whinging and sniveling. I am incapable of reaching that fabled runner's Zen-like state of emptiness.

If I concentrate, though, I can derail the self-pity and dwell more productively upon other matters. I find that it helps to be a nerd. So I think about what my D&D character's plans should be, or try to reconcile the timelines from the miniseries The Lost Room, or worry about plot points from Heroes or Battlestar Galactica or Lost. That makes the time fly.
posted by Midnight Creeper at 2:48 PM on May 8, 2007

Sex or audiobooks. Helps if there is interesting scenery to look at in either situation. Depends on where you run.
posted by purephase at 3:11 PM on May 8, 2007

Just like those who came before me:

-Things going on in my life, especially things that are going wrong. Like HotPatatta, I have occasionally thought about how to ruin the lives of those who have wronged me, but never acted on those thoughts of course.

-Hobbies and things needing solutions. I'm a coder and have overcome many programming road-blocks while running.

-Run with someone else. The comment about the time going 1000x times faster is spot on.

-Nothing. In fact, more often than not I'm just listening to my breathing and taking it all in.

I hadn't ever thought about a talk radio podcast. Will definitely try that. I do, however, frequently listen to fast beat electronica and have been known to play air drums.

I'm surprised others think about sex, I'd be worried about going too far :)
posted by toomuch at 3:55 PM on May 8, 2007

Usually ideas for paintings and projects that never get started, lists of "to do" items (ditto). On a more productive note, work related problem solving (of the design or organizational sort when employed, on the "how the hell do I pay rent" sort when I'm not).

When I used to compete it was easier, I'd visualize an upcoming race, the racing style of the people I'd be running against, and generally think about strategy and form.

These days, it's simply the same kinds of things that I'd think about on a walk of the same time length- the environment I'm in, the scenery, etc. I can't stay on a treadmill for longer than 10 minutes without dying of boredom, but if you're outside, isn't the world itself interesting enough?
posted by stagewhisper at 3:57 PM on May 8, 2007

I know you want to run outside, but you can still get a similar workout in the gym and, if you like sports, you should go during a baskektball, football, or baseball game. Time flies when your running and engaged you can passively see unfold like sport.

And, eebs, it seems you're describing runner's high. I'm sure you've heard of it, but I figured it needs formal mentioning in this question. It all returns to Chemistry.
posted by skepticallypleased at 4:00 PM on May 8, 2007

Math.
posted by escabeche at 4:03 PM on May 8, 2007

don't fall, the sidewalk's cracked, stupid dog stop barking, don't hit me or I'll sue you car, is this the house with the chickens? they're asking waaaay too much for that house, hmm, when I planned this route I thought there's be sidewalks don't do this again, should I walk now? nah, I can do it, I can keep going, one two three four five six seven eight nine ten, nooo.... one mississippi, two mississippi, three mississipi, what time is it? I wonder if I can pass the big pink house before I get to 1,000? that's a cute cat, funny squirrel, crap did I forget to make that call at work, screw it, my knees are starting to hurt, I wonder if I need new shoes, but they're so expensive and I haven't gone 300 miles on these yet, if 8 miles is this hard how am I going to manage 26, what am I talking about this isn't that hard I'm not even out of breath, I feel great, it's a beautiful day, I wonder if it will rain later, I should clean my car, uh, four mississippi, huh, "Hi," she didn't even make eye contact, jerk, damn, eight miles is really far, I'm gonna run out of city, 23 mississippi, 24 missippi, 25 mississippi, crap, did I skip some numbers, should I start over or just keep going? how close am I to the block? If I keep going I might get to 1,000 before I get to the big pink house, I'd better start over, don't wanna cheat, one mississippi, I wonder what I should make for dinner ...
posted by croutonsupafreak at 4:10 PM on May 8, 2007 [5 favorites]

I focus on my breathing, as I would during a meditation exercise. This is helpful for me because, if I don't watch myself, I tend to speed up until I'm running at a pace I can't maintain. Breath in, breath out, check my pace, repeat.
posted by SPrintF at 4:20 PM on May 8, 2007

On my shorter weekday runs (in the 3 to 8 mile range), my thoughts echo croutonsupafreak's.

Longer runs (9+ miles) I have to concentrate on actually running. I'm keeping an eye on my pace, form, how I'm feeling, whether I need to drink/eat, etc. Over the years I've played many little games with myself to help the miles pass on my more absurdly long runs-- counting steps, thinking of which landmark I'll get to next, making up songs, doing math problems. The hardest part of those long, long runs is staving off the inevitable erosion of well-being that occurs when you're so tired that the numbers on your watch stop making sense.
posted by hollisimo at 4:20 PM on May 8, 2007

Nothing, if I'm lucky. If I'm less lucky, I am to think about the very near future - as in, the next hill or valley.
posted by tmcw at 4:44 PM on May 8, 2007

What works for me is thinking of processes. Like the morning cash office process at work, or Mortal Kombat finishing moves (Forward! Forward! Back! Back! Forward! Punch!), or the process of changing my oil or some such. It usuallly sufficiently distracts me for at least a half an hour or ~3 miles.

Other times, I think about things that piss me off. On my latest runs, for example, I think about how my boyfriend dumped me over text message and how he's probably gay and his weiner will fall off for dumping me like that, etc etc.

In addition, I tend to think about anything else confusing that might have happened, especially emotionally charged situations. Since running fills me with yummy endorphins, I tend to be able to sort out situations better while I'm running; maybe analyze them to see what I did wrong/where I could have done better/etc.
posted by Verdandi at 4:55 PM on May 8, 2007

I try to run every other day (5 miles). Find it very therapeutic. Generally think about work which is both frustrating and engaging. But I get to pontificate about the nature of what I do without embarrassing myself. Have actually come up with some cool solutions to vexing problems at work this way. They really should pay me for running. Not only do I do some very focused and creative thinking, I also reduce their health care costs.

Ran a marathon once. Thought about survival. Then tried not to think. Then couldn't think.
posted by Toekneesan at 5:25 PM on May 8, 2007

For a long time, I counted. ~1500-1600 paces/mile. For the first 1000 numbers or so, I'd identify meaningful numbers (primes, model numbers of instrumentation, palindrome numbers). I'd marvel at how time passes, and at the early part of a run, anticipate each 1000 paces and how soon it would be 5000, 10000, 15000.

For a while, I'd ponder a girl that I had/have/will always apparently have a crush on.

If I run during the day, I'd spend my time thinking about how all the lazy slobs I work with were having corned beef sandwhiches and junk food for lunch and how few of them could make it around the block on foot.

Most of this has given way to thinking about how damn hard the marathon I am planning to run in October is going to be and what it will feel like to start a 4 mile hill at mile 20. Jeez.

Not much traffic here in Vermont, so I can concentrate on if I am comfortable and how good it will feel to be back at the car in an hour or so. Anything to distract me from how much longer I have to go!

O, and sex, of course.
posted by FauxScot at 6:41 PM on May 8, 2007

I mentally re-landscape the houses I run by, and rearrange their gardens. This works much better in summer than in winter, needless to say.
posted by Kat Allison at 7:26 PM on May 8, 2007

I don't like running with other people because I like to change my pace and don't want to either be too slow or too fast for somebody else.

I find podcasts are what I really enjoy when running, or I listen to comedy albums. I find that music gets boring after a while. I generally mix it up between music or talking podcasts.

I have a nike+ ipod thing which is pretty inaccurate for any kind of speed work, but for my long steady runs it works fine. Checking my pace every few minutes to make sure I'm where I want to be really helps.

Oh, and I think about finishing the marathon faster than the really beautiful girl I work with, but am too afraid to talk to. Then I think about what a loser I am. Usually takes my mind off the running.
posted by m3thod4 at 2:08 AM on May 9, 2007

Before I destroyed my knees from, uh, running, I would compulsively think in fractions: OK, at this intersection I am 2/5 of the way done. OK, 1/2. OK, 7/12.
Looking back, I think I needed to find another type of exercise.
posted by nimmpau at 10:32 AM on May 9, 2007

Sprint to that telephone pole
recover at the mail box
stay on grass
sprint to the corner


and for some reason- I more often than not end up with the Soundgarden song "Big Dumb Sex" running through my head, setting the cadence. I don't even like that song.
posted by mistsandrain at 12:48 PM on May 9, 2007