Top List Of What Runners Think About

Top List Of What Runners Think About ... While Running

For this post, I asked some runners what they thought about while running. Here is the list of the top responses.

1. Whatever is going on in my life, family, work, friends.
2. Pace, time, foot strike, speed drills and breathing.
3. Music lyrics and beat.
4. Swinging arms at a good rhythm.
5. Praying for people.
6. Goals in life.
7. Shaking off the stress from the day.
8. How much distance is left.
9. Nothing. La La Land...
10. And finally: Flirting. (From Pedro)

While this list is just a small sampling of runner's responses, I am sure that many of you can somehow relate to this list. Personally, what I think about on a run varies depending on how my day went. Some runs are simply about enjoying the elements. I love it when I can purge my mind of all the busyness and fog and just run. La La Land here I come. Runner's bliss is something that when achieved is simply put -amazing. 

Some runs are angry or emotional runs.  Or ladies aka PMS runs! Sorry guys I just had to. You know what I'm talking about here, right? Unfortunately there are those days when you just need to get out there to clear your head of the negative thoughts and feelings. It is a proven fact that running helps release happy hormones. Who doesn't like those happy hormones, right? Plus angry runs can be really great PR's. Read this article about the "Runner's High" http://www.imnotfittorun.com/running-for-mental-health.php 


I'm sure every runner has had one of those all business runs. Honestly, I'm getting better at working on my pace, breathing, cadence, form, foot strike and so on. I don't really enjoy this part of running. It's too much for my mind to worry about, but I know that for me to get better at running, I need to pay more attention to all of those things. Ugh. I much prefer losing myself in the moment. I may not be a running model of perfection, but I'm happy most of the time. While training for my first marathon last summer, I would plan out my long runs to correspond with timing on my play list. The beat of the music would help keep my pace going as well as motivating me to make it through the play list. Usually two songs would equal one mile and so on. Now I work on my breathing, speed and pace much more to improve my odds at going after a new half PR. 

A sample of my running play list:

Radioactive : Imagine Dragons

Treasure: Bruno Mars

Blurred Lines: Robin Thicke

Burn It Down: Linkin Park

Troublemaker: Olly Murs

Speak Life: TobyMac

Lullaby: Nickelback

Back to Love: DJ Pauly D

Battlescars: Lupe Fiasco & Guy Sebastian

I find that my mind naturally gravitates to the people who mean the most to me. Some days my mind wanders back in time to those should have, could have moments. You know those "I wish there was such a thing as a mulligan in life moments." And then I try to remember that I hold myself to a standard of grace not perfection. 


On long runs, I try to dedicate a mile to one person in my life who is important to me. Earlier this year, I dedicated each mile to a student in my class. 


I would love to hear from you about what crosses your mind when you run. I hope that you are able achieve that elusive clear mind. If only for just a few miles...

Happy running - 

Emily