Bored when running

The_Gatsby

I find running by myself pretty boring. I would join a running club but the only reason I'm running is because I'm training for a job that requires good fitness, not for the love of running.

When running I always end up concentrating on how tired I'm getting. I find music helps but find headphones get in the way and it's not worth the hassle.

Do any of you have any methods to take your mind off it?

rom

The_Gatsby wrote: »

I find running by myself pretty boring. I would join a running club but the only reason I'm running is because I'm training for a job that requires good fitness, not for the love of running.

When running I always end up concentrating on how tired I'm getting. I find music helps but find headphones get in the way and it's not worth the hassle.

Do any of you have any methods to take your mind off it?

I find slowing down makes it more enjoyable.

BeepBeep67

The_Gatsby wrote: »

I find running by myself pretty boring. I would join a running club but the only reason I'm running is because I'm training for a job that requires good fitness, not for the love of running.

When running I always end up concentrating on how tired I'm getting. I find music helps but find headphones get in the way and it's not worth the hassle.

Do any of you have any methods to take your mind off it?

Leave the music at home, lift up your head, be proud of what you are trying to achieve and take in your surroundings.
Change your routes, run in interesting places.

Cabaal

If you're concentrating on how tired you are then odds are you are actually tired and may be running too fast, slow down abit.

For me if I find myself getting bored I change my route, do a route you've never done before...you'd be amazed the sights you'll see when running that you don't spot in a car even if you've driven the same route hundreds of times.

LorMal

The_Gatsby wrote: »

I find running by myself pretty boring. I would join a running club but the only reason I'm running is because I'm training for a job that requires good fitness, not for the love of running.

When running I always end up concentrating on how tired I'm getting. I find music helps but find headphones get in the way and it's not worth the hassle.

Do any of you have any methods to take your mind off it?

Podcasts - download some that interest you - I find I can get lost in them sometimes and dont notice the tiredness as much

Tasden

LorMal wrote: »

Podcasts - download some that interest you - I find I can get lost in them sometimes and dont notice the tiredness as much

Really good idea, any that you'd recommend?

MacSwifty

I like to think - generally about nothing, but the ol' miles drift by. i find nothing appealing about a LSR spent counting milage or how tired I am with X miles to go!

pconn062

Is there another sport you could do to keep fit that you might enjoy more? No point running if you don't like it, could you try cycling or rowing or something?

walshb

Running alone without some distraction is very boring. I find it easier running with a friend. No friend, need music.

TheNibbler

Tasden wrote: »

Really good idea, any that you'd recommend?

Try 'The Bugle' or 'This American Life'. They're my favourite when running anyway!

Alf. A. Male

The_Gatsby wrote: »

I find running by myself pretty boring.

Is it too outlandish a suggestion to suggest you don't do it then? I love running, but I wouldn't do it if I hated it. It's great for fitness, but it's not the only show in town - row, do circuit training, go to the gym, swim, get a bike, play football, whatever you can think of that you actually enjoy.

bambergbike

Concentrating on your form might help - if your mind has nothing to do and is idling, put it to work on making you a better runner. Or on some other problem-solving task.

+1 to the suggestions on varying your routes and your paces as well.

Sauve

I go over problems (work/personal/whatever) on lsr's. No matter how small, if I head out for a while, I'll come home with the answer to something.
This is gonna sound insane, but I mull over conversations that I need to have with people too. Say something has been bothering me at work, that's when I'll get the words together to tackle it.

yaboya1

Lots of people say to me they would get bored running long distances/marathons and they don't understand how I do it. That's fine and running obviously isn't for them, but I've never felt bored when I'm running outdoors whether in training or during a race. I've had lots of other feelings, but never boredom.

In saying that, I'm not sure I could manage 30 minutes on a treadmill!
Far too boring :pac:

The_Gatsby

I'm training for the army and running is obviously a big part of that so I'd probably be best off sticking to running. I'm already in the gym doing resistance training which I really enjoy.

Podcasts sound like a good idea. Might also try varying the pace and doing some sprint or FARTLEK training

slingerz

slwo down and get better at it. when your feeling stronger and fitter you'll find its not so boring anymore

Peterx

The_Gatsby wrote: »

I find running by myself pretty boring. I would join a running club but the only reason I'm running is because I'm training for a job that requires good fitness, not for the love of running.

When running I always end up concentrating on how tired I'm getting. I find music helps but find headphones get in the way and it's not worth the hassle.

Do any of you have any methods to take your mind off it?

The army requires you to run 1.5 miles in 11.30(men) or 13 minutes (women)?

Joining the local club and religiously attending their Tuesday evening* interval session and their Saturday morning* tempo session will get you through that requirement - especially if you enjoy the competition and camaraderie of the club scene.

Otherwise learn to love your local parkrun. running the 5k in 25 minutes or less should get you through 1.5 miles in 11.30 men)

best of luck.



* may not be tuesday/saturday

b.harte

As an ex serviceman I would be troubled if you find training for the fitness test run boring. How will you manage the tedium of range practice (bunker duty) and a long route march, not to mention the guard duties and convoy stuff. Seriously you get bored during a short period of time? Army life might not suit you...just saying. Now if you were to join the aircorps/army/navy and get a trade - different day altogether. Best of luck with the test at least you are putting thr effort in.

The_Gatsby

b.harte wrote: »

As an ex serviceman I would be troubled if you find training for the fitness test run boring. How will you manage the tedium of range practice (bunker duty) and a long route march, not to mention the guard duties and convoy stuff. Seriously you get bored during a short period of time? Army life might not suit you...just saying. Now if you were to join the aircorps/army/navy and get a trade - different day altogether. Best of luck with the test at least you are putting thr effort in.

I don't mind actually getting out and doing the running. Nor do I mind running with a group because at least there are other people with me. I don't mind putting the effort in for this as it's something I've wanted for a long time. Finding running boring isn't going to put me off, just thought I'd see if anyone has any tips to make it a bit more enjoyable, I'm sure not everyone in the army enjoys it per se.

And yeah, 1.5 miles which I have down to 10mins now anyway. 10.2 on the beep test also so doing some sprints may help as well. That should help change up the routine a bit.

LorMal

Tasden wrote: »

Really good idea, any that you'd recommend?

A lot of BbC radio 4 documentaries are really interesting. Rte have some good ones too - their documentary archives are very comprehensive.
I like Desert Island Discs as well. An Irishman Abroad is quite good. I am into rugby too so I listen to Rugby on Off The Ball. The history Show on Rte. Bbc have a couple of good Food and Drink programmes. And there are some good podcasts about running too to keep you motivated.

Just stick earphones, plug into the mobile, and listen to any old talk radio. Would love to have history broadcasts but have an old Nokia, not a smart phone, so make do with radio. Doesn't even have to be rivetting, just some background noise that I half listen to.

The only thing I draw the line at is Newstalk's Down to Business.

Darren 83

Could you set a goal for your self a 5k race It would give you more structure to the running and different training sessions.

nolinejudge

I just zone out. Sort any issues out in my head. Drift off into a day dream. When else do you get 2 hours uninterrupted time. Having said that I must work on that 10k time:-)

inigo

nolinejudge wrote: »

I just zone out. Sort any issues out in my head. Drift off into a day dream. When else do you get 2 hours uninterrupted time. Having said that I must work on that 10k time:-)

+1.

Plus distractions can cost dearly in the mountains and trails: you simply have to concetrate on your footing, no time to get bored! Hit the hills, there's lots to see and hear too: the shuffle of your jacket, your breathing, your steps, the wind, the birds...

Plus I like listening to my body, which I found difficult to do when I started running (with music/radio). I just wouldn't think of it or forgot to do it. I like to check my form at least a few times during my runs, for which I kinda scan my body for pains and niggles and adjust and relax accordingly. I find this is a lot easier to do if i'm tuned into my body and not an ipod...

PrzemoF

The_Gatsby wrote: »

I find running by myself pretty boring. I would join a running club but the only reason I'm running is because I'm training for a job that requires good fitness, not for the love of running.

When running I always end up concentrating on how tired I'm getting. I find music helps but find headphones get in the way and it's not worth the hassle.

Do any of you have any methods to take your mind off it?

Quit running and try swimming, soccer, cycling, competitive table tennis or anything else that can build up your fitness and that you like. I used to _hate_ running.

Cartman78

Tbh if you genuinely find it boring then it's probably time to look at doing something else more constructive with your time.

Running is the only 'me' time I get these days so I really treasure any time out on the road - sometimes I zone out, sometimes sort out work problems, sometimes focus on form/speed/times etc.

And sometimes listen to podcasts too - you can probably find a dedicated and exclusive podcast on virtually anything you're interested in (click here for some suggestions)