When I do runs > 6 miles it becomes difficult for me to deal with the monotony. I have no trouble if I am on a brand new route, but as I am starting to get into the 12 mile range a bit more regularly, I’m not going to have new routes for long. How do you handle it? Do you run with other people? Where the hell do you find people that want to run that far!? haha
You don’t have anywhere scenic to run? Running groups in the area?
I’ll be out running and get into my own little world. There are have been long runs (and short) that I don’t really recall what path I took or if I went on X route. I also wear a garmin so I no longer have to do the same routes as always. That’s helped. And I have some nice routes along the St. Lawrence and through rolling country roads.
It varies…
Somedays I will take my ipod shuffle and let the music over ride any thoughts.
Or I will think of what to do on the upcoming weekend.
Or what to have for breakfast and how to make it etc.
Or I’ll be mooing to the cows, honking at geese and so on.
It took me awhile (few years) to get to this state. Now I can do 20K and up long runs on my own and enjoy them
I did run w/ friends for Around The Bay this year which made the time fly but I still prefer to run solo.
It’s different for everyone.
I have the same problem. I just think about everything and nothing that comes into my head. I refuse to run with an ipod for mental training purposes, and rarely will I ride with one.
I have moooed at cows! But only while biking.
But I spoke with some geese last night while running. That did help.
I cure boredom on long runs by thinking about cycling!
This thread brings up an interesting point - I don’t think I’ve ever been bored while on a bike ride, but it sets in almost instantly while running. Personally, I’ve imagined it to be the difference in speed - since a bike is moving so much more quickly, it requires more concentration and there’s always fresh scenery to look at. Anyone else have thoughts?
The key for me was to find a good running group for long runs. We’re lucky in Canada to have a chain of stores called Running Room where there are always large groups heading out for long runs on Sunday at 8:30am. There are sub-groups of runners at different pace so you can hook up with runners of your pace.
Spend 1 month doing ALL your runs on the treadmill. Throw in at least 3 that are 2 hours or more-at least 1 where you forget your music and have to watch 2 hours of soundless sports center. You will never feel bored outside again. Don’t ask me how I know that.
Jodi
“But I spoke with some geese last night while running. That did help.”
I did that too! One got pissed that I was passing by, so two others followed me. They never tried to “attack”, but just sort of escorted me away for about 200 yards. He were tight after that.
I’m very fortunate in this regard. I do 90% of my runs alone. I love being out there alone and never have had an issue mentally. A lot of this to do with the fact I’ve been running alone for 17+ years. It definitely comes in handy during races.
Curious how old you are too. I do speed work and some hill work with a running club with many younger runners(18-25) and I see/hear this from them as well. I think that generation was brought up with so many stimulations(music everywhere, TVs in every room, cell phones, video games, etc) that they aren’t used to solitary time.
I think it helps to have a workout plan before you go out on your run that includes periodic changes in intensity. Plan your runs to include intervals of moderate and hard intensity especially towards the end. Then you can trade misery for monotony.
I really do not have problems when I run solo 2h30+ (without an Ipod)…
Usually it is the last 2hours out of 6h+ solo bike rides that are mentally challenging for me … So maybe this is why a 2h30+ solo run is not at all a mental issue for me…
There are a lot of cows in the south of Ottawa I am friend with 
Cheers,
Fred.
“I think it helps to have a workout plan before you go out on your run that includes periodic changes in intensity. Plan your runs to include intervals of moderate and hard intensity especially towards the end. Then you can trade misery for monotony.”
That’s what gets me through long rides and swims as well. Tempo changes make you think about the next 3-5 min., not the next 3 hours…
I guess you don’t have kids? One thing that I do to enhance my run is listen to the classical music station. Give me Puccini for 2 hours and I am a happy man. I think you have to see that time as probably the most meditative time you will have. There is peace in monotony. I am actually considering giving up the tri game to just run.
I don’t think I can answer your questions because I absolutely love long runs. I never get bored. I find it to be a form of meditation. I get into a groove thinking about my breathing, form, pace, and exertion level. I find this very relaxing and after 2 or more hours of such meditation I am relaxed and mentally refreshed even if I am physically exhausted.
Victor
Sometimes my long runs will too get mentally challenging. I use an iPod which helps a lot as does trying new routes. But a little thing that I learned which really helps me is to always run with a hat and sunglasses. Sometimes, I’ll wear the hat with the brim forward, then I’ll turn it backwards. Then I might put my glasses on for a mile and then take them off. Or I might tip my hat off to the side a few degrees. It all sounds weird I think but anytime I make a position change with my hat or glasses the ‘scenery’ becomes different and ‘new’ which helps pass the time.
Glad that it’s not just me they get p’od at!
I was running this morning along the waterfront and all of a sudden there were 10 geese around me. *This is one of those times I was in my own world and wasn’t paying attention to anything.
I hightailed it back while honking at them. Perhaps not the best idea but it was amusing to me at 5:30am.
So far this week, I’ve been chased by a cow and mobbed by geese. Looking forward to the rest of my workouts. NOT
"Curious how old you are too. I do speed work and some hill work with a running club with many younger runners(18-25) and I see/hear this from them as well. I think that generation was brought up with so many stimulations(music everywhere, TVs in every room, cell phones, video games, etc) that they aren’t used to solitary time. "
That is an interesting thought. I do 100% of my runs alone (I’m 38). I lie sometimes to get out of running with others. Mostly so I don’t have to fit into their schedule or pace. I have never run on a treadmill and only once in a long while with an ipod. Every once in a while, I might use a watch. I cherish the time alone, and feel that I get in a “cruise control” state mentally that is borderline medative. (is that a word?)
Digger: I find the age factor *very *interesting. I *never *run with headphones and think you hit the nail on the head. I’m always amazed at how many young folks are *constantly *on their cell phone: walking down the street, at the cash register. Just what *are *you talking about? It’s like folks can’t stand silence for more than 5 minutes a stretch.
Running 1+ hour on a treadmill~! Excellent advice!!! There were times this winter, too dark (and I’m not a headlamp wearing kinda gal) in the a.m. for those really long runs, I thought I’d blow my brains out, regardless of what I had on the TV to amuse myself.
I find on those long, lonely runs, I solve so many problems, my mind just wandering from topic to topic. And, it was always a source of pride *not *to run with headphones or iPod or whatev out running – the sensory deprivation of my surroundings was too creepy for me when I tried it.
Good luck jackmott! Try meditating at home and you will soon transfer this to your outdoor running as well.
Books on tape in my iPod. Being able to listen to an entire book in a week gets me to “want” to run to find out how the story ends.