While running what do you think about?

Question

alright guys so last year i ran the 2 mile and my mind would just wander and it would kill me cause physically i know i could have done better cause i wasnt as sore and tired as the other guys just mentally my mind made me feel way more tired than i was. Now i run the 400 and the 800 and those aren't so bad but still what do you guys think about when your running?

Answer 1

Actually, I chew gum while I run so I can concentrate on my breathing rate.  I also constantly think about things like form and posture.  As you are into a distance race or even relay race, you will be unaware at times that you are leaning too far forward/back, clenching your fists, letting your feet turn out ward at times when you are getting tired.  

If you concentrate on not wasting energy on those movements, you can actually gain a few seconds here and there.  You would be surprised how much time you would gain just thinking about keeping your arms in closer to your body when you run, as compared to swinging them like some Neaderthal as you start to get tired.  It's the little "sports science" stuff like that you can use to shave a few seconds off.  It will make you a smarter runner.

Also, depending on the race/distance, you are thinking of strategy as well.  I don't know about sprinting, but everything from the 400 up has some sort of strategy to run, in my opinion.

Answer 2

I think about how many nmore laps I have to go...till I am finished! Actually I think about what ever...its my own personal time for any thoughts to enter my mind.

Answer 3

running longer distance is more of a technique and game plan type of thing, you can't go to fast and you can't go to slow

the 800 is more of a tactical run then if you were running a 100, 200 yard dash, even the 400 yard run is about how fast

you will go out, and when to make your move, you can't wait to long and you can't make you move to soon, the more you train the less tired you will be, but you must train right....

Have Fun

Answer 4

HAHAHA............... FROM WHICH VILLAGE R U WHAT DO WE THINK WHILE RUNNING NOTHING JUST RUNNING AND WIN I COULDNT EVEN HEAR ANY ONE'S VOICE WHILE RUNNING NOR ANY OTHER THING IN MY MIND JUST RUN AND WIN

Answer 5

i can see how your mind could wonder while running 8 laps around the track in the 2 mile. as hard as it is, you have to force yourself into competition mode. you should be thinking about where you are in the race, and just think about what you can accomplish.

i run the 400, 4x4, and 4x8, and im just thinking about doing my personal best. my mind isnt on my boyfriend, or my friends, or my parents. its on acheiving my goals.

Answer 6

well i run sprints, but usually i can hear my friends screaming at me to go faster and to push myself, so i usually think of how my friends want me to do better. then i usually do.

Answer 7

I used to think about beating people during races the whole time, and I think it exhausted me mentally. What I have found to work is to just clear your mind as much as you can don't think about anything at all, absolutely nothing, it works for me.

Answer 8

If I'm at a track meet, I usually think that the hottest guy is standing over there at the end waiting to give me a hug lol :D

Answer 9

The finish. Short and simple.

Answer 10

i'm the other way around --i THINK about runing .!!

Answer 11

Running for me while i was in High School was all about competition so i use to just think about where i wanted to finish.

Now that i am out of high school and in the real world it is a stress reliever for me. If i am really stressed i usually think about all the stuff i did right that day and try to wide down and take the stress out on the road.

If i am just running to get exercise i usually count to myself in a rhythm like a military chant or something to try to keep a pace....