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Comment by bulldog13 | Hacker News Reader

What do people think about during their runs? Anything over 30 minutes I find very mind numbing and boring.

I like some time to think about just whatever is on my mind and let my mind wander. I find it kind of relaxing.

For me, running is consuming enough that my brain can't really operate at 100%, and it's more like 75%. Sometimes this is wonderful because normally my mind tends to go overboard with stuff, but while running my mind doesn't have the appetite to make things heavy and involved.

Another thing is to just stop focusing so much on your inward thoughts and look all around you. Running is a great way to explore and observe an area because you can pick up way more detail than while driving but you can also cover more area than walking.

It also helps to avoid focusing on whether you're done. A watched pot never boils. Asking yourself "how much distance do I have left?" every 2 minutes is sure to make the run seem like it lasts forever.

Everything that's happening around me in the place that I'm running.

Everything I see that's changed since the previous run.

Everything I see that's changed since the previous season.

Everything I can feel about my body moving

Everything that's happened that day.

Same for me, I try to make it meditative in a way. I don't use earbuds or anything, just try to continue existing and moving. Sometimes identify birds. Practice talking to myself in languages I'm studying. In races it turns into body state monitoring and trying to determine when/if to adjust pace. Check in on form. On heart rate. Pick someone up ahead to try to catch. Count down to the next gel or electrolyte tab or water station.

I've done quite a few 2hr+ runs (half marathon to marathon) and 100 mile bike rides, and after a while for me it turns into a psychological game.

Trail running, if you haven't tried it, is much more "stimulating" I might say, depending on where you are there's a lot more focus and attention required to stay on the trail, to stay upright (slipping on mud, ending up in a river), to dodge trees and rocks as required, etc. I personally find there's much more of an aspect of being "in the zone" for trail running, and especially in races, when I miss a turn and have to stop and backtrack, it becomes really obvious that I was in some kind of "flow" state and then got pulled out of it.

I started with couch to 5K last January and after making it through the program I decided to stick with a three day cycle of running, rowing, and strength training. An Apple Watch turned out to be a great investment for me. I was able to track my runs and workouts and by downloading a couple of spotify playlists and some podcasts to listen to while running I was able to leave my phone behind when running. Some people can zone out or amuse themselves while running but I tend to need a distraction and so a decent set of wireless headphones and a phone or smartwatch are now as much of a requirement for me as a pair of running shoes.

Not much more than just running to be honest, I find it to be quite a stimulating activity, even on 90+ minute long runs.

Definitely helps to not keep glancing at your watch though.

I stopped wearing headphones while running when the pandemic started. I really don't think about much. It's become sort of meditative for me.

Likewise, I actually love that feeling when you’re running and after a certain point of exertion your mind goes blank - I find it so rare to have a blank mind in day to day life. Similar feeling to when you’re skiing/snowboarding and really in the zone, though not as intense.

I do sometimes find I come up with good ideas for work/whatever when running, so it can be a good way to ponder things like that and I’ll sometimes record a short voice memo on my Apple Watch otherwise I forget what I thought of. But after 20 minutes or so I find my mind kind of defaults to blank and I like that!

Guided runs in Nike Run Club are great for this. There are several coaches with different styles.

My favorite have been the Headspace mindful runs[1].

[1]: https://www.headspace.com/meditation/running-meditation

The easiest option is to just speed up if you are getting bored. Exertion will clear your mind and focus it on the task at hand. There will simply be no space left in your head for feelings of boredom!

You could try something like “Zombies, Run!” an ARG that has a narrative tied to interval training.

https://zombiesrungame.com/

I put on a peloton outdoor workout in my headphones for this reason. Also encourages me to pace myself.

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