This feels like a really strange question, but what do you think about while you are running? I was sharing with some other chicks in a C25K thread that I didn't think I could do the 5 minute runs, and CruiseCAT's advice was, "Listen to your body and you'll know what to do". And she is right; it's my mind that is telling me I can't keep going. My body is doing just fine.

So I think the issue is that I'm listening to the weird music on the Robert Ulrey podcasts and just kind of waiting for him to say, "Time to walk". The few times that I've been able to disengage my mind and think about something else, the time goes by very quickly but when I'm just staring at the track and praying for him to tell me to walk, I feel like I can barely make it!

So what do you think about while you run? Is it a time to solve problems? A time to think about bigger things, like world peace or politics? A time to try to get all Zen? I'd love to come back feeling refreshed and mentally clear; right now I'm still at the "sore and tired" phase but I want to train properly both mentally and physically.

Please share!

I do agree with you. I am also doing Ulrey's podcasts when I run, and when I am listening to it, I just wait for his voice to stay to slow back down to my brisk walking pace. When I disengage my mind, however, time goes by quickly. I try to just think about my day, my plans for when I get home, or even doing random math problems, like 247/19 or 1068/7. It sounds weird, but it keeps my mind off running.

I think about the running. I don't really think about much else. Some things pop into my mind but I mostly think about the running. It's not easy for me though, so I suppose that is why I do it. When I walk I think about all sorts of things.

this is so true...i often run my best when i have something on my mind.

If something is bothering me i love to go for a run, and blow of the steam. I love feeling really passionate about something (whether its good or bad) when i go running, it really gets me going.

But on the morning i get up at 6 and would rather eat 10 cheeseburgers straight up then go for a run, i look ahead to a certain point, and say "only that far to go, you can stop at that street/lamppost/bench chair" Then when i get to that point i look further ahead and say, thats not to bad now to the next street/lamp post/ bench chair/whatever.

It works for me. Sometimes i look down at my legs and see the muscles moving and just think about how toned running can make your legs, and i imagine myself having amazing legs. Or i picture an out fit i would love to wear for a special occasion, and i just imagine what it would feel like walking in and having everyone look at you, and just feeling great in general!

TARRYN- I used to be that way! It really helped my get through the runs. But since I am doing to couch to 5k program, I just stop when the podcast says stop and go when it says go. Maybe I will revert back to that when I am finished with the program and there are days when I feel I can't do it!

hahah. There are many things you can do!

You defintaly need somehting to think about. I really struggle when i don't have my ipod though. I need some really uplifting sort of music to tell me i can do it!

The best one is Destiny's Child- Survivor hahaha i know its old, but feeling your feet pound on the pavemenet listening to that song is amazing!

I like to have some kind of distraction. When I'm on the treadmill, I usually watch TV. I take my ipod when I run by myself. And when I do my long run with my group, we chat. When I'm running by myself, I find I do often zone off into my own thoughts, wrestling with issues or making plans, or just being in the moment. But, I like to have some "background noise".

When I run I may be daydreaming, or thinking how awesome is it that I can even run. I also like looking at my watch/treadmill and seeing how much time is left. Like if there are 30min left I think to myself, 30 minutes is only three intervals of 10 minutes. I've done 10minutes before, I can totally do this! And sometimes I countdown the minutes. Not because my body is killing me, because my mind gets bored (especially on the treadmill).

I was JUST thinking about this very thing the other day!

I solve the world's problems during running. Or more specifically, all the problems in my world. It can be so scatterbrained, but running is my time to just de-program and process everything that happened during the day as well as anything that's lingering in my mind. It's like talk therapy with no outrageous hourly fees.

I only made it to Week 3 with Mr. Ulrey. Then I used my own music and running got sooooo much better. Now when I run I daydream, make up stories in my head, think about things that are bothering me, use the time to plan, etc. Occasionally I'll get bored while running, but not very often. If I do, it's usually a sign that I need some new tunes.

Ah, this is known as the dreaded "WALL" DUN DUN DUUUUN!

During my easy runs of the start of my long runs I think about everything and anything and towards the end of my long runs I tend to argue with myself.....hitting the wall that is all too familiar with runners.

I call it "zen-ing out" that's where I go... I think about everything and nothing...

I actually really like techno, so I've been enjoying Ullrey's music. There is usually lots to do when running: I focus on my dog, the other people/animals on the path, the beautiful scenery, and my HRM. I'm running with a friend tomorrow morning, and while we tend to chat while walking, we each put on headphones and focus when it comes time to run.

Week 4 music on the Ullrey podcasts was a lot better than last week. It was a little more guitar and a little less "European 80's Disco" (or what I imagine European 80's disco might be!). I'm running on a high school track, so I can't distract myself with TV. I'm thinking about remodeling, so tonight I tried planning floor and shower tile to distract myself. I think it helped!

If I'm at the gym I watch a TV show as distraction. Otherwise, just life I suppose.