Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Running Thoughts

What thoughts go through your mind when running? I started the week right by going on a Monday evening run. It was a great one and I found myself thinking about different things. The miles just fly by when I am lost in thoughts such as:

-Family & Friends. Since I currently live away from home, it's but natural that I miss them pips. Running gives me time to reflect on happy times with them and these thoughts add an extra bounce to my step. When I go back home, I hope to have them as running buddies. :D

-Books. I haven't read a book in looong time that my brain has gotten so rusty. Rea and I talked about reading last Saturday and how I wanted to pick up something interesting. What better material than Michael Pollan, right? So today I'm starting with "The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals" and then read "In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto" next. Have you read these books?
{Reads}

-Food. Thinking about my post run fuel motivates me to go faster. Ha! Running also allows me to have a mental inventory of my fridge, to have a preview of the next day's meals, and to think of ways I can recreate other bloggers' yummy recipes. :P

-Travel. There are a bunch of places I'd like to visit in the coming weeks. The miles just go by so quickly whenever I'm fantasizing about trips. Planning trips is just so much fun. Look at this gorgeous deer that I saw on my trip to Todaiji in Nara last year:

{Fierce}

-Form. Of course, I also think about running related things. I make sure to check on my form: noticing if I feel tightness in my shoulders, focusing on my breathing, and shaking out tension when needed. RunnersWorld says here that efficient endurance running requires just a slight knee lift, a quick leg turnover, and a short stride. I'll pay attention to my stride length in my next run. How's your running form?

-Fellow Walkers/Runners. Whenever I meet other runners, I'd make up stories in my mind about why they run. Each one has a different reason for running and I amuse myself silly with "their stories". Also, I mentally cheer for everyone I meet. Something like: "Run, girl, run!" or "Good job! You can do it!". :D Weird much?

How about you? What fun/weird/happy stuff do you think of to distract yourself from running?

14 comments:

  1. what do i think about while running? uhm... boys. :P and what i wanna do when i grow up. and food... but mostly boys.

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  2. oh my gosh I am the same way when I run. If I think about the lovely breakfast that I have when I get home I run better/faster :)

    I really want to read in the defense of food!!

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  3. i could have written this post! running was always my time to reflect on life and be observational. you touched on all the points for me, although i'd add that i think about my surroundings a lot - not just the people, but the place too. i always liked to compare runs - "oh, i remember reaching this tree two months ago and being out of breath, and now i feel so much stronger." running thoughts are always the best ones!

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  4. Haha, so cute that you cheer on your fellow runners :)

    I actually skimmed In Defense of Food in a bookstore after a friend raved about it, and realized it was NOTHING I didn't already know. The friend that recommended it was not a vegetarian like I already am, and I think the info was knew to her.

    As a blogger and foodie, I doubt you will be very surprised or shocked at anything. But def. check it out, and I'll be interested to see what you think!

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  5. I loved In Defense of Food...it's thought provoking and makes for a very interesting read. :-)

    Sometimes I think about everything when I'm running and sometimes I just sort of zone out and think about nothing. I love that it's complete "me time." Complete bliss! :-)

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  6. I was thinking about this last week too. Often times, I seriously think about - nothing. I just literally shut my brain off and think about nothing. It's quite refreshing and such a huge contrast after being stimulated and concentrating all day long at work!

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  7. This is super interesting! I go through phases on my runs. I love running outside because I LOVE to people-watch! I also love running round lakes/by the river because it feels to good to be close to nature like that when you live in the city.

    I also use the time to plan my day and sort through everything that's on my mind. That's definitely a big reason why I feel so good after a run - my endorphins are up, I've solved the world's problems (ok just mine) and....I also dream up what food I'm going to munch on when I get back - that one's definitely a kick up the backside!!

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  8. Work! Which is all I ever think of lately... I also think about the future lots, what I'll do after I graduate next year, the possibility of travel...

    I've read "In Defence of Food". He makes some good points in it, but I don't take it too seriously!

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  9. Hehe! I think about all these things when I run, too! I sometimes think about stuff to blog about, too.

    About you question regarding the garmin. I love it! I don't know if its necessary to have one when you are just starting out, but I say that b/c I didn't have one until two months ago. Before I used the Garmin I would use mapmyrun.com and a regular watch to time myself. I didn't care as much then about pacing, etc. I did that for two years and successfully ran 3 half marathons without it! I have never raced with one and I'm still getting used to all the features.

    If you are thinking about getting one, I highly recommend the 305!

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  10. oh my, i think my mind wanders all over the place during my long runs. on the shorter ones, i think my mind might go totally blank - it's so great :)

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  11. Love your running thoughts! So funny- I had never really thought about what I am thinking when I run - many times it is "how much longer?" ...."I'm ready to be finished"...

    : )

    Have a great day!

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  12. I definitely also get lost in my thoughts when I'm running. That's why I love it so much, it's better than therapy! I often think about my post-run meal, such a good motivator to make the most of my run. And I also notice fellow runners, thinking about how awesome they are.

    I haven't read either of the Pollan books, but I've been thinking about it. Would be nice to hear what you thought about them when you've read them!

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  13. Hmm...I feel like when I'm running I zone out and just listen to music. I don't even remember what I think about 1/2 of the time.

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  14. I definitely want to know how those books are. When I am running I think about the songs I am listening to. Most of them remind me of someone or some memory which is fun. I like the idea of planning trips while running. I am obsessed with planning trips so I need to try it while running!

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