Comments on: Voices in my head

Question: Voices in my head

engling — Tue, 08 May 2007 12:09:32 -0800

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?

By: inigo2

inigo2 — Tue, 08 May 2007 12:20:35 -0800

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.

By: galimatias

galimatias — Tue, 08 May 2007 12:21:49 -0800

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.

By: caddis

caddis — Tue, 08 May 2007 12:22:12 -0800

sex, doesn't everybody?

By: HotPatatta

HotPatatta — Tue, 08 May 2007 12:23:39 -0800

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...

By: lumpenprole

lumpenprole — Tue, 08 May 2007 12:24:14 -0800

how much I hate running.

By: HotPatatta

HotPatatta — Tue, 08 May 2007 12:26:11 -0800

oops...I meant to write "how I could ruin their lives." Seriously. I'm non-violent.

By: epugachev

epugachev — Tue, 08 May 2007 12:30:43 -0800

Talky podcasts help. This American Life and Fresh Air are two I use for this purpose often.

By: jamaro

jamaro — Tue, 08 May 2007 12:33:24 -0800

I silently chant, "Boil that dust speck, boil that dust speck," because it helps me hold a steady gait and amuses me as well. Any even numbered set of syllables would probably work as well.

By: matteo

matteo — Tue, 08 May 2007 12:33:26 -0800

sex, me too

By: eebs

eebs — Tue, 08 May 2007 12:33:33 -0800

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.

By: jk252b

jk252b — Tue, 08 May 2007 12:33:51 -0800

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.

By: eebs

eebs — Tue, 08 May 2007 12:37:13 -0800

@epugachev:
I listen those two podcasts when I walk. For some reason, it doesn't work when I run.

By: zachxman

zachxman — Tue, 08 May 2007 12:37:24 -0800

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.

By: three blind mice

three blind mice — Tue, 08 May 2007 12:39:26 -0800

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.

By: bluenausea

bluenausea — Tue, 08 May 2007 12:42:38 -0800

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...

By: DieHipsterDie

DieHipsterDie — Tue, 08 May 2007 12:50:24 -0800

I think about how much pain I'm in.

By: loiseau

loiseau — Tue, 08 May 2007 13:03:41 -0800

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!!!

By: loiseau

loiseau — Tue, 08 May 2007 13:05:00 -0800

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.

By: ibmcginty

ibmcginty — Tue, 08 May 2007 13:23:32 -0800

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.

By: drezdn

drezdn — Tue, 08 May 2007 13:24:26 -0800

Mostly about how I feel like I'm dieing, and then encouragements to just keep going.

By: ssg

ssg — Tue, 08 May 2007 13:31:21 -0800

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.

By: 517

517 — Tue, 08 May 2007 14:10:06 -0800

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

Isn't that the point?

By: ZackTM

ZackTM — Tue, 08 May 2007 14:19:40 -0800

Girls...

By: killermac

killermac — Tue, 08 May 2007 14:20:48 -0800

I think about ex-gfs.
And I count.
Mostly count.

By: Midnight Creeper

Midnight Creeper — Tue, 08 May 2007 14:48:31 -0800

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.

By: purephase

purephase — Tue, 08 May 2007 15:11:03 -0800

Sex or audiobooks. Helps if there is interesting scenery to look at in either situation. Depends on where you run.

By: toomuch

toomuch — Tue, 08 May 2007 15:55:09 -0800

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 :)

By: stagewhisper

stagewhisper — Tue, 08 May 2007 15:57:06 -0800

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?

By: skepticallypleased

skepticallypleased — Tue, 08 May 2007 16:00:08 -0800

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.

By: escabeche

escabeche — Tue, 08 May 2007 16:03:15 -0800

Math.

By: croutonsupafreak

croutonsupafreak — Tue, 08 May 2007 16:10:42 -0800

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 ...

By: SPrintF

SPrintF — Tue, 08 May 2007 16:20:05 -0800

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.

By: hollisimo

hollisimo — Tue, 08 May 2007 16:20:29 -0800

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.

By: tmcw

tmcw — Tue, 08 May 2007 16:44:53 -0800

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.

By: Verdandi

Verdandi — Tue, 08 May 2007 16:55:09 -0800

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.

By: Toekneesan

Toekneesan — Tue, 08 May 2007 17:25:15 -0800

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.

By: FauxScot

FauxScot — Tue, 08 May 2007 18:41:12 -0800

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.

By: Kat Allison

Kat Allison — Tue, 08 May 2007 19:26:26 -0800

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.

By: m3thod4

m3thod4 — Wed, 09 May 2007 02:08:03 -0800

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.

By: nimmpau

nimmpau — Wed, 09 May 2007 10:32:45 -0800

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.

By: mistsandrain

mistsandrain — Wed, 09 May 2007 12:48:40 -0800

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.

By: Greg Nog

Greg Nog — Thu, 10 May 2007 12:48:53 -0800

Most often, I pray when I'm running.

Also, when I'm feeling particularly winded, I think about Batman. "Oh, you're tired? GOOD. You SHOULD BE. You know who else gets tired? BATMAN. Does he let that stop him? NO. Be thankful your parents weren't KILLED in CRIME ALLEY."