What the crap do you do when running?

Question

I run about 3 to 4 times a week. I have found a lake trial that is one mile to the end and one mile back to my car.

I have some questions.

1. I get bored during running. What the heck do you do other than forcus on breathing and listening to music?

2. How do you relax during the run? I am more concerned about breathing and getting enough oxegen than relaxing. How do you do it?

3. I feel all the time like I need to stop to breath but I can still talk when running. I don't need to stop for long. I am wondering what I can do while I am running to just keep going and not stop running.

I have an iPod and listen to it. It gets boring even with that.

Answer 1

Listening to music is distracting you from listening to your body. you should get rid of the iPod until you are a more experienced runner and are able to automatically run with proper technique. I don't mean to be rude but that's what you should do.

My advice would be to find things you need to focus on as a runner and try to run while correcting these problems. Find someone who has spectacular running form and have them tell you what's wrong with your technique and also try to mimic him or her when running. Focus on your pace, your stride length, your turnover, plyometrics... so basically your entire runing form. Once you learn how to run you can try running further while trying to keep this running form even when tired.

Answer 2

I'm with you!! I feel like running is the best excercise for me given the amount of time I can devote to excercise and when I do it consistently it makes me feel really good inside and out but....I can't stand it! While I'm running I get really bored too and I feel like I'm just torturing myself. Things I've tried:
Taking my dog-he's a great running buddy.
Listening to music ( I choose different themes for different days)You can try singing along to, having to think about the lyrics may help distract you from focusing on your breathing,
Setting new goals for myself every time so I can focus on something different besides the exact same end point, or time limit
Making to-do lists in my head.
Day dream or role play...I know once we're adults it's hard to tap into our imagination, but you could fantasize that you are training to be a secret agent, or that you're running from someone or something...it may work for a minute or two..but anything is better than nothing
Or imagine how hot you'll look once your in shape

Answer 3

Listening to music is about all you can do. I just listen to the music and sort of zone out, like go someplace else in my head. It keeps me going and I can complete the course I have set for myself. Sometimes I test myself to see if I can do it faster than other days.

Answer 4

get a buddy to run with you or change yr routine of where you run. if this much running to getting to dam boring try other exercises instead of there are some routines in this article that may help you out

Answer 5

ha i run alot too. i had that problem at first. but when you run, dont worry about breathing, your body takes care of that itself.

when you listen to the music. try and memorize the words.

daydream while you run. that works the best for me. i run the longest and the best when i daydream.

and again. dont try to focus on the breathing, it corrects itself on its own.

Answer 6

just get an ipod and run
you can't really do much else, unless you get a buddy to run with or a dog.
you are very limited