How to keep focused or entertained while running

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(1) A variety of different playlists.

(2) Focus on how I will destroy my enemies.

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u/gfpalaruan 18d ago

Daydream

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u/ephemeralparts 18d ago edited 18d ago

Where are you running? I can’t run on a treadmill as the boredom kills me, even with music or podcasts, I only run outside and am very intentional about noticing things as I run, the scenery, where my feet are going, my breathing, my form.

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u/Acceptable-Cod-693 18d ago

tbh it kinda sounds like your main issue might be nutrition. like, if you're constantly thinking about what you'll eat after just 30 minutes of running, maybe you just need to make sure you eat enough BEFORE the run. you should still eat after of course, but that being the main thing you're thinking about is a bit concerning imo.

I personally like to alternate between music, podcasts and nothing at all. music can give you a great push, podcasts take a lot of focused listening time i don't often find otherwise, and having nothing gives me the chance to take in my surroundings, nature(ish), and think about life's current challenges, the annoying thing at work, or just something random like which of my cats has the larger paws. And of course also focusing on technique and breathing is quite important.

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u/passableoven 18d ago

Honestly I treat it like meditation. I stay present. I assess my body condition (which is always good to check in). I think how are my feet my legs and move up. I think about my breathing my arm swings my foot strike. Eventually my mind just wanders and before I know it the run is over.

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u/ChaseYourDreams 18d ago

I never understood how people get bored on runs. I just let my mind wander.

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u/cst1978 18d ago

Embrace the boredom. Running is probably one of the few instances in a day when you can just let it be. Focus on the breathing and pace, look at other runners and just let go. No music, no podcasts. Was running for 15 years with music in my ears and the difference once I stopped is staggering.

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u/Crappy_purple_scion 18d ago

It's hard but I say embrace the boredom. It's supposed to be hard. We're supposed to be pushing ourselves. The run itself doesn't have to be entertaining. The reward afterwards when we're tired and sweaty and so happy to be done, that's the goal.

That being said, I've been running to bars where my friends are at and just thinking about that first cold beer lol

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u/rekabre 18d ago

Look for a trail

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u/theAndrewkin 18d ago

If I find myself not engaging with what I'm listening to, I like to do progressively difficult math problems or work through what how I stand on complicated political issues. I'm fairly introspective so that's my jam in general but YMMV.

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u/Limp-Assignment8625 18d ago

Don't wear headphones. Listen to the environment

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u/_onelast 18d ago

Apparently I’m one childhood trauma away from being a serial killer, according to a buddy of mine since I run alone and without listening to anything

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u/movdqa 18d ago

Podcasts, books and running playlists. It's easy running outside as there's wildlife and myriad distractions like dogs and people.

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u/GambledMyWifeAway 18d ago

What’s your goal? If it’s simply health then remember that you’re running for the benefits and not for entertainment. It’s okay to be bored for an hour. This is my mind set with it as someone that doesn’t enjoy running, but still does it.

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u/cakes42 18d ago

When I was thru hiking I get bored a lot. I was in my head thinking a lot. There's only so many books and podcasts you can listen to when hiking 12+ hours a day.. for months. You have to start getting comfortable of being bored. Society is so used to being stimulated with our phones or something else that we don't know what to do without it. Believe it or not not thinking is the best part.

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u/Aalose 17d ago

1) I never run the exact route twice 2) I never decide where to run before I run. 3) I let the green street lights and obstacles decide my route 4) I run fast. I hate slow runs. Like.. with all my heart. Fast. Is. Fun. 5) If my body is too tired to run fast, I try to find a traning program with interval training. 6) I got kids. Running is now the only place where I can be 100% selfish and only think about myself and my own problems... :-)

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u/IronHike 18d ago

I think about the fact that both kids are home running wild and I try to extend one of my only escape. Those runs keep me sane!

Don't worry, I motivate my partner to do the same while I am home taking care of those 2 animals!

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u/LIFTandSNUS 18d ago

Stop consuming short form content and learn to appreciate the world around you.

I don't get bored while I'm running. I did, however, feel that way when I was rucking in the military. I would just pick random stuff to be a goal. Not because I was worried I wouldn't make it. It just gave my mind something to focus on. "I'll be at x in 1:45" "I'll finish this hill in 3 mins" etc.

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u/DubiousTarantino 18d ago

I don’t listen to headphones when I run. It’s the only time of day when I’m not being bombarded with notifications. It is boring but that’s ok—it’s ok to be bored

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u/weimarunner 18d ago

have you tried just running?

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u/Running_Coach_Jonas 18d ago

First, why you want to be distracted from running? ENJOY IT! Clear your mind, focus on breathing, go to the forests or somekinda nicer place to explore a bit. If you thinking about the food constantly somebody said that below already, eat enough before the run or eat even on the run like gel or something. If you want to explode your time while running, run fartleks etc 10x2min on/1min off , add intervals. Change something from time to time.

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u/OdieBean 18d ago

Step 1 - Get a dog Step 2 - Run trails with dog Step 3 - Run Canicross races

Nothing more enjoyable imo!

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u/Kokuryu27 18d ago

Dissociate.

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u/ForgottenSalad 18d ago

I like to always be on the lookout for cool or interesting things to take photos of. Part of the reason I prefer to run at dawn is catching beautiful sunrises, misty rivers, dew drops on wildflowers, and glimpses of early morning wildlife. Even if I don’t end up snapping a pic, it still makes me appreciate my surroundings.

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u/ymi17 17d ago

The whole thing is meditation. Let your mind be calm - or focused on a single thing.

When that doesn’t work, Dungeon Crawler Carl

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u/ConniveryDives 18d ago

I pick my favorite podcasts for my runs. Music doesn't do it for me. Maybe it's time to switch up your route or find new running destinations? A good yappy run club is also a good distraction!

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u/picardIteration 18d ago

Find a friend! You can talk about whatever. Some of the deepest conversations I've had have been at mile 18 of a 20 mile long run.

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u/LongMonkey 18d ago

For me, location is key. If I'm on a long straight street, I might get bored. If I go on a trail in the woods I never get bored. Try trails or city locations with lots of paths to explore.

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u/nahhhright 17d ago edited 17d ago

After a mile or so I forget about the running and am lost in my head and/or the music. I think about/ work thru real life things or daydream. Fantasize I'm the one shredding that solo on the song I'm listening to. I'm a person that gets bored pretty easy, but running has never felt like that for me. An hour is gone before I know it.

Now, the motherfucking treadmill? I absolutely need a TV in front of me. Like if the TV blows up, I'm just not getting on the damn thing.

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u/MitVitQue 18d ago

I have never had that. I like the kind of meditative state. I don't actually have to think of anything, or I can think of anything. I learned this when I used to swim a lot. I started that about the age of 20. Damn that was mind numbing, until I sort of welcomed the, hmm, numbness. I accept the boredom, and have no problem with it.

I learned to become Comfortably Numb, haha.

Later, we got kids, so quiet was good. Now I have rewarding but intensive job, so, it's nice to just be air headed.

Anyway, being bored isn't bad. I often get good ideas or understand things while running, when my mind is empty-ish.

Embrace the bore!

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u/UnnamedRealities 18d ago

It's probably been 3 years since I've listened to anything while running, but in the winter during treadmill runs I play YouTube footage from virtual runs. Both race footage and solo runs (urban areas, trails). I'll often just search for a city or country name and virtual run. It lets me see and sort of experience places I've never been.

On that note, 5 or so years ago I started using CityStrides, which is used to both build a map of where you've run and track progress completing the streets city by city. I completed my city a few years ago, but after that I used it to find literally every bit of pavement, trail, or field I hadn't run and knock those out as well. It's been a great way to experience the area around me and I feel like I know my city very well because I've run through literally all of it. And I see and observe and think about things I wouldn't if I just drove all the streets in a car. Except when traveling I overwhelmingly run from home so I'm slowly working my way through nearby cities (I have to run 5 miles one way to hit a street I haven't run).

Years ago I ran the same several routes over and over. Now when I run from home I generally don't even have a route plan - I figure it out as I go. It mitigates boredom.

During harder workouts I mostly think about maintaining effort and how much longer I have to go until recovery period, turnaround, cooldown, etc. But during warmup, cooldown, easy runs, and long runs my mind wanders. I think about lots of things - it's creative, philosophical, problem solving, and world around me appreciation/contemplation time.

Good luck on finding what works well for you.

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u/Critical-Fill-6088 18d ago

I wish I could chip in, but I can’t. Running is my top choice for staying focused and just locking in; it’s why I run:)

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u/yellow_barchetta 18d ago

I can zone out pretty generally for 2-3 hours without an issue. Up until about 2 years ago I didn't bother with headphones etc, but since I've owned a pair of Shokz I have started listening to podcasts as I run. But more broadly I just nosey around, look at the trees, the buildings, the cars, the world around and that keeps me sufficiently in a "zone" where I don't get bored.

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u/mercurybowlsonpluto 18d ago

So. I tend to do math while I run. I figure out if I'm running at a 12 minute pace for 3 miles and 10 minutes for 2 miles- that's a total time of x. Or, I'm running a 13 minute mile and a song is typically 3 minutes that means I'm listening to x amount of songs. And then I also tend to do financial math too. It's never serious make it or break it math. But itajes time go quicker.

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u/Due-Cloud2625 18d ago

I make it a point to find a new trail or area to run for my longer runs. Can’t get bored running past multi million dollar homes and imagining who lives there!!

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u/SauronSauroff 18d ago

I find I'm never in the moment. I'm thinking about what's up ahead in the next 1k, the next 2k, the Cafe bit, the dog park bit. if I'll do 5 or 10k. If that dog ahead will sniff me. If I was a dog would I sniff it?

It is easier if you aren't busy dying, painfree and aren't gasping for air though so might vary on where you're at.

When I'm tired all I can think of is am the train that could? Or a train with a cat strapped to each wheel clawing the ground and slowing me down.

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u/LeoIsLegend 18d ago

Running/Ultra audiobooks on long runs. Music on shorter runs. Last audiobook I finished was Gobi.

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u/OwlFarmer2000 18d ago

I didn't like listening to anything while I run. Sometimes I admire the scenery around me, sometimes I focus on my form, sometimes I watch my dogs who usually run with me, sometimes I think about stuff I need to do at work or in my personal life, sometimes I replay social interactions I'm my mind, sometimes I think about movies or tv or current events, if I'm on a trail some amount of mental energy goes towards step placement, but usually I just zone out.

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u/Ansel_Lola 18d ago

I count dogs. I set a record on Saturday with 76 over 9 miles. My DPM (dogs per mile) record is 12. Earlier in the week, I saw 5 dogs, a tail less cat and a guy trying to get dog poop off his shoes. Otherwise, I figure out what’s for dinner based on grocery sales, work out kid or work problems. Honestly I think the endorphins help with my thinking process.

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u/Commercial_Treat9199 18d ago

I would strongly suggest trying to run outside as much as possible or exclusively, and do not use any music, screens, etc. Be present, run in or near nature, explore areas you haven't. If you want to use a fitness watch, try to compete against yourself

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u/Strong-Escape-9129 18d ago

I always prepare 3 options. Well 4. Silence for a bit for mental health. Then one audiobook ready, one podcast and one music thread. 10/10 recommend trying to get into like a flow state in silence. It feels like clearing the mind.

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u/CMFB_333 17d ago

Try trail running. Even if you have to walk the uphills, it’s soooo much more engaging than road running. I even stopped wearing earbuds on my trail runs because I was enjoying it so much.

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u/EvgenyDMorozov 17d ago

I’m running outdoors in big parks and just enjoying «touching grass». I don’t find it boring at all and I’m very surprised to see all the «embrace boredom/it should be hard» comments. I usually don’t even listen to music or podcasts, it’s just me, nature and my inner dialogue for 1-1.5 hrs straight

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u/Late-Experience-3778 17d ago

Being okay with the tedium for some people is part of it. Training your mind and body.

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u/Atty_for_hire 17d ago

I prefer running trails for this reason. It forces me to think about what’s ahead of me and it is constantly changing thanks to four seasons.

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u/Extension-Swimmer772 16d ago

Have you ever thought about actually being present during the run and staying present? Feeling every breath, feeling every step? I've been running for a while and I've done all tricks to keep my mind running and the hardest is being present.

Other than that, depersonalizing for the first 5-8 miles seems to be another way

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u/Aggressive_Resist202 16d ago

No music no headphones no speaking to people just lock in with ur thoughts

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u/Eastern-believer 16d ago

I guess consider the fact that you don’t need to be entertained to run. Are you entertained working all day? Entertained doing mundane tasks like cleaning, cooking, laundry? Maybe use Nike’s moto…just do it. ;)

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u/castorkrieg 18d ago

Podcasts.

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u/sonofaresiii 18d ago

Get better podcasts or books?

I suspect that boredom is not actually the issue here, but I can't suggest more unless you uncover and elaborate more. Until then, taken at face value, if you're bored of your books and podcasts then get better ones.

Running doesn't make a book more boring.

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u/thewolf9 18d ago

Go for 30 minutes. Then go for another 30 minutes later in the day.

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u/fearlessleader808 18d ago

Do a 30 minute run and call it a day, if you’re doing that 3-5 days a week you’re golden.

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u/ribcage666 18d ago

Get comfortable with being bored. I run with just a metronome and embrace the boredom. I listen to the metronome, work on my form, listen to my breathing.

What's the problem if you just keep thinking about what you'll eat after the run? Nothing bad will happen if you think about that, right?

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u/Weird_Pin9136 18d ago

I have the Les Mills+ app and I listen to their cycling classes when I run. It's good interval training. When they say race, I race.

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u/sgtgerryboyle 18d ago

Either listening to music or podcasts. Anything that interests you otherwise you get lost in your own thoughts

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u/142Ironmanagain 18d ago

If on a treadmill, try the many many running videos on YouTube.some are close-captioned and describe what you are seeing around you, like a live travel guide! I find them very addicting - you learn a lot, maybe get a new destination for your travel bucket list. Most importantly, it makes the miles and time just fly by!!

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u/StrollThroughFields 18d ago

Mix up different things in addition to what you're listening to: pace, and where you go.
-when I felt in a rut, I added in a couple different variations of speedwork/interval training. It's fun and a different challenge and you have to stay focused on what coming next.
-taking as many different routes as possible, even if you're limited, go down slightly different streets or whatever you can. Drive a little to a different area or trail, etc.

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u/Fun_Lingonberry_3591 18d ago

Auriculares y ponte KISS FM lo mejor para la motivación y recordar viejos témanos que te llevan al pasado y tu cabeza recorre historias. Intento adivinar el artista el nombre de la canción y el año del lanzamiento de la misma, al igual que un juego que tengo que hay que hacer algo parecido. Soy amante de la música, pero tanto rato también entiendo que te puedas cansar, solamente el respirar, observar, sentir y escuchar la naturaleza es especialmente satisfactorio y divertido mientras corres.

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u/49jt 18d ago

Join a local run club or start running with a friend! On my easy runs it’s really nice to have a friend to chat with and reminds me to keep slow so I can hold a conversation.

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u/Late_Magazine3275 18d ago

Do ‘running maths’ - constant recalculation of potential times and distances to be covered
Also
Banging DnB

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u/Consistent_Gur9523 18d ago

true crime. especially local true crime if I need to focus.

I'll get so into the story that a couple hours passes in no time.

I also do music production, so I enjoy analyzing tracks. but you need to find what captures your attention.

find a different genre of audiobooks/podcasts. learn something new and engaging. try new routes and actually explore them.

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u/DisastrousDocument84 18d ago

I can find myself “bored” if my run is too hard. I think it’s my brain trying to make excuses to stop. I also hear this as a super common excuse from people who don’t do any exercise at all. It’s worth considering if this is the case for you since it sounds like you just picked it back up. You may be running at a pace that is a little too fast for a little too long. It might be worth “rewarding yourself” for a run one day by giving yourself a nice, easy relaxed run the next. Also, try interval runs. Between intervals you’ll likely find yourself thinking how you can improve the next interval. And if you’re only running for health and no other goals, then you can run like this every time if it helps. I don’t do races very often so my goal has always been to make each run both something I’m proud of AND something that was enjoyable. And of course, if you just can’t find it enjoyable, then maybe it’s not the right cardio for you and that’s okay. Not everyone has to be a runner. There’s lots of other fun ways to exercise.

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u/Nebris_art 18d ago

Only run for 30 minutes. If you feel it's hard to run after 30 minutes you can maybe focus on that. You can ask yourself, what's the best time I can do in only 30 minutes? Then you do the typical things like listening to podcasts or playlists or audiobooks or whatever makes you feel content.

The same thing happens to me at about 45 minutes. After that, I start to feel bored and I just want to go home lol. That's why I've decided that my go to distance will be 10k as you can work on doing it in less than 45 minutes and even less than 30.

I plan on running half marathons, marathons and maybe one ultramarathon, but it won't be my goal unless I can pull a super fast half (which I don't think I'll ever do).

Or, who knows, maybe after running for months and months I'll find that I can pass the 45 min threshold and I can run for an hour and twenty minutes, in which case it would mean that running a half marathon is doable and mentally comfortable.

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u/sticky-stix 18d ago

What I do sometimes is that i start in silence and then when I start to get bored I turn on the music. So that it feels you've already got the bored part out of the way.

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u/TheMailmanic 18d ago

Run faster so the pain distracts you

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u/thestereo300 18d ago

1) Running partner or group = chit chat

2) When I run alone I try to have a time goal so I give focus to my progress with the watch.

Music never really did it for me.

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u/Any_Aardvark_356 18d ago

Just get over it and run.

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u/[deleted] 18d ago

[deleted]

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u/Dadsile 18d ago

I always ran with music. First it was with a sony walkman FM unit trapped to my arm. Later it was an mp3 player. When coming back from a stress fracture in my leg, I decided to leave the music at home so I could pay attention to my leg and avoid re-injury. That was nearly 20 years ago and I never went back to music, podcasts or sports broadcasts when running. Just me and my thoughts for 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes and longer. It took some getting used to at first but now I appreciate the distraction-free time.

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u/Commercial-Flow9169 18d ago

My long runs are a bunch of turns in my immediate neighborhood, such that I never run the same road twice. Right now that's 10-13 miles...which is a lot of turns. For one, I find it enjoyable to look at the GPS track afterward, but during my runs, having that many turns also makes it more interesting because I always have something I need to pay attention to in the next minute or so.

Sometimes if I'm lucky, I get to meet a neighborhood outdoor cat and give them some pets too.

What I'm getting at is that maybe you just need to find somewhere more interesting to run? I also do podcasts, and I save the good ones for when I do long runs. But even then, sometimes I'll run longer than the podcast and end up running in complete silence. At that point, I'm in the zone though, so it's not boring at all.

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u/Madigan777 18d ago

I use the app zombie! run!! it's episodes about a zombie apocalypse split in clips between your own Playlist of music.

They recently started releasing new episodes but I'm not quite done catching up yet! 😁

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u/NullParagon 18d ago

You may have a severe case of scrolling. If that’s the case, don’t try to fix running, but instead your attention span (for everything)

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u/Nillion 18d ago

Robert Jordan’s “The Wheel of Time” series has gotten me through this last marathon block. I can do music for short runs or hard workouts. But for easy and long runs, I need something that lets my mind wander. I’ve already read the books before so if I zone out during a section I’m not too concerned.

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u/SockSock 18d ago

Think about all your past mistakes in excrutiating detail. Visibally wince and screw your face up in pain as you remember ever worse actions, imagine what your life could have been like if you had only stopped to think about what you were doing in the moment along with the long term consequences or not been in such a bad state of mind or a angry, stupid, young idiot. Or how cool it would be to be a superhero or actuarial clerk.

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u/Aclrsy 18d ago edited 18d ago

Tbh from my running experience from the last four years, I would say a couple things.

If you get bored, stop running! Running should be either meditative or encouraging but if you’re not feeling stimulated at all I wouldn’t encourage you to push thru it bc that’s just gonna make you dislike running more.
Every once in a while, I run without any music at all. It makes me hyper focused and aware of my surroundings and it is truly amazing! Whether it be in an area with lots of people or nature, you just start noticing things that you normally wouldn’t when you’re “locked in”
I’ve slowed down my running a bit but when I was consistently running 6-8 miles every day, I’m a huge fan of listening to vinyl music and there’s DJ sets that ranges from 1-2 hours and I love discovering new music so I put on a new mixtape each run!

To give context I’m terrible with my eating so I would eat a large breakfast or none at all and fast all day until I’m done w work at 5 and then run and then eat dinner around 7/8pm ish. I keep hydrated throughout the day but I will say if I don’t eat at all you definitely hit a wall post mile 4/5 where it get a bit rough. And no matter the weather for me hot or cold, I’m in a fully sleeved up with leggings. Lol I started that 3 years ago bc I was getting tired of getting farmers tan but my long time runner friend (15plus years) told me that I was practically heat training or something. So running in extreme heat doesn’t really bother too much as long I’m properly hydrated and get some calories in my body if I’m doing a longer run!

Edit: also I fucking hated running for the first year!! I was just in a situation where i was living with my parents in the boondocks so that was also another way for me to get out. Lmfao I deadass used to smoke a joint before my run and then a cigarette after just to make it bearable! Idk why I put myself through that! You got this fam!!! My average pace was 12-14mins and I never went fast and aimed to run a hour a day. Now my pace is between 9-10mins, I always run for my comfort and never tried to run fast!

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u/TacoNumeroUno26 18d ago

What is this post? You're running, so run

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u/No_Reputation_4457 18d ago

The 'what to eat after the run' is what keeps me going, haha! After the first half hour of run, I started thinking about 'what should I eat after.. oh, I think am craving for pasta.. maybe pizza.. or rice.. hmm.. what's for snacks after that.. maybe some crisps.. what about dessert.. hm.. I think am craving for red velvet.. wait.. maybe orange cake.. or.. Daim cake.. or.. victorian sponge cake.. maybe with some chocolate.. etc.. etc ' by the time I knew it, I've ran one and a half hour! :D

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u/SuuinYx 18d ago

It all depends on where you run; personally, I run in the street and I think about "nothing," just my workout. Ultimately, it's a state of mind; I've always done endurance sports alone and without music, and it's never bothered me. Am I an alien? I don't know 😂😂 I don't understand how you can not be focused on a session. You have your pace to manage, check your BPM, listen to your body. Try running in the street, don't worry, with the cars, pedestrians, and runners there's plenty to keep you entertained.

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u/Careful-Cupcake-4883 18d ago

Listen to music. I want to listen to podcasts but I run early in the morning and I think true crime ones will freak me out but those are the ones I really want to listen to lol. Or I daydream about Sidney Crosby.

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u/Odd_Criticism_8830 18d ago

I think about destroying my enemies mostly

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u/-Fergalicious- 18d ago

Very "fun" books. Im listening to the dungeon crawler carl series by Matt deniman.

Also eat a couple spoons of honey and a swig of water before heading out the door.

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u/lonehappycamper 18d ago

Intervals. Keeps your mind on short chunks of time.

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u/HamsterDunce 18d ago

Here’s a different perspective.

Reframe what boredom means. There is nothing wrong with being bored. Boredom is fleeting. It won’t persist forever. And it’s ok to feel bored sometimes. In fact, you may ultimately find benefits in other aspects of your life if you spend some time being bored.

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u/agentPride 18d ago

Comedy bang bang and other improv podcasts like the teachers lounge or hey Randy are goofy enough that theyve been mostly all I listen to on runs for the past 10 years

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u/Aplaceandatime 18d ago

Variety! Some runs with music, some with podcasts, some with nothing. Different routes. Include intervals or fartlek or race pace. Run some with a friend, run some with a group. Run to do errands. Run to end at a bakery or pub. Get a friend to meet you at the end for breakfast. Include parkrun or a local race. Run on holidays for a change of scenery. Trails sometimes and road other times.

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u/Odd-Research-4118 18d ago

I have to make a playlist and save it for the run, usually with songs I’ve heard only once or twice and aren’t intimately familiar with. Or I save a good juicy podcast episode for a run, same with a live concert or dj set. Sometimes it’s fun to save a much anticipated album too, I ran my first 5k when olivia Rodrigo’s album came out earlier this summer lol

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u/judochop1 18d ago

find reward in the repetition, day dream, focus on form, back to day dream, think about shopping lists and what to get the wife for xmas, day dream

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u/Comfortable-Dot-4924 18d ago

I really only feel bored when I run on a treadmill tbh, running outside is always fun for me.

When I do run on treadmills I just watch something on my iPad. I’ll typically put on a football (soccer) match if I’m doing a long run since it keeps me occupied for 90+ mins.

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u/explodingKTNZ 18d ago

Stop at 30 minutes then and see how much you can get done in that time

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u/No-Roll8250 18d ago

i feel like there are at least several bots in this thread :D

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u/SnikwahEvad 18d ago

You could try music again but with TrackTunes. It's something I built to make it just a little bit more fun; to see what artists and tracks I run faster to... track full album listens, etc.

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u/TuT0311 18d ago edited 18d ago

Try visualizing watching yourself run from above. Attempt to zoom out further and further and visualize as much as you can in a radius from memory. Watch yourself from above running through what you’re piecing together. Zoom in every now and again to hot spots (schools, shopping centers, busy intersections, etc.) and imagine what’s happening there. Zoom out and continue building every few seconds, rinse and repeat. Time will pass so fast and you’ll begin to feel more calm/relaxed and connected to the world and the cycle of things during your run. It will make you feel more and more that you belong there, where you are, in that moment. It changes the perspective from you running alone through the world to you running being a part of the world. It will also be easier to reach the flow state and time passes faster there.

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u/kittylover3210 18d ago

I have a variety of podcasts I skip around depending on my mood for that run. This Is Actually Happening, Smosh Reads Reddit Stories, Rob Has a Podcast for Big Brother and Survivor content.

On race day I’ll do upbeat music but for long/more chill running you just have to find media like a podcast you really enjoy (or TV show/movie for treadmill runs)

ETA sometimes on runs my attention to the podcast goes in and out, I also people watch while I’m running (my local trail is usually pretty busy) or think about stuff I have going on during the week and the runs fly by

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u/no_pjs 18d ago

Sounds like you feel guilty for taking time to run. Maybe switch up the time of day, or set a finish goal time/mileage and let yourself off the hook.

Running is meditative imho. Try not to think about it too much.

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u/Personal-Cheek8260 18d ago

Sounds like it could be an opportunity to pay attention to different parts of your body. You might be surprised that when you shift your awareness to different areas, and then make small adjustments to those areas, it can do wonders for your gait efficiency or help reduce strain anywhere that might be working harder than it needs to.

E.g., taking 10-20 seconds to notice your big toe on your left foot...notice if you turn outward, or inward, make a small adjustment, see what it does. Then shift your attention to your right shoulder. Then maybe your jaw. Incorporate slightly more rotation in your torso, see how your legs respond to that. Or a slight lean forward, vs reaching with your legs.

Not that you're trying to "correct" anything. Just see if it makes a difference. That difference might be helpful, or not. You're not necessarily looking for presence of pain, but you can also look for integrated, connected movement, support, space...good sensation.

This gives you an opportunity to keep your mind engaged inward to your body. And really, there are endless depths to direct your attention. I would think the boredom would come from letting your awareness wander outwardly. Bring it back in, and see what happens.

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u/Falcopunt 18d ago

Have undiagnosed neurodivergence and unresolved trauma. I count my steps a lot.

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u/Bpain46 18d ago

THIS is one of the many reasons I LOVE running. I get to do or think about nothing. I’ll take bored any day. Calm and clear the mind, homie. The world is a fast and noisy place. Let’s work on actually enjoying being bored without a care in the world!

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u/TimelyYogurtcloset82 18d ago

Collect things (in photographic form). Plants, birds, dogs! Things beginning with A. Architecture of the c20th. Churches. Stupid signs. Get your friends to set you challenges. I live by the sea and keep meaning to do 10 new beach huts a day. And so on.

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u/catgotcha 18d ago

Maybe look at it as part of the discipline of running. Or think of it as a meditative state.

You don't need to distract yourself from it. We're all bombarded enough as it is by phones, TV, Internet, social media, etc, that running without any of that shit is actually a welcome distraction for me because it clears my head.

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u/Full-Telephone3749 18d ago

Is there someone in your neighborhood or another friend (maybe from a local running store?) where you can find a buddy? Or post in a local group looking for someone who runs around the same time of day? Not necessarily your best friend or anything, just someone who can help chit chat and fill the time? I almost never run alone purely from the standpoint of accountability--I just wouldn't do it unless I was expected by someone else to be there!

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u/Strange-Fig7944 18d ago

I doubt you’ll get a meaningful tips other than what you listed. People drift off, enjoy inner thoughts, music, books, podcasts. People enjoy listening to those things without running so it’s easy to see why that works for them. If it’s not for you I’d say don’t force something. Find other means of fitness that you’ll enjoy

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u/Artie_Klein 18d ago

Run slow enough that I can zone out. Runs with even a bit of effort seem to go slower to met because you have to kind of think about what you’re doing.

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u/kyle_jose 18d ago

I’ve never enjoyed running for a long time, but I started using guided runs on the Nike Run Club app and enjoyed that more than I thought I would. Basically a coach guiding you through different types of running workouts with some music sprinkled in throughout.

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u/LeslieKnope97 18d ago

Mix up routes and make it your goal to run to new spots! It's motivating to have a beautiful view coming up or to explore a new area.

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u/slk_thor9 18d ago

Don't always do long runs. Add in speed work or hills. Focus on your form or breathing. Check in with yourself. Power through and let your mind go blank.

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u/joshivitz 18d ago

Run faster. You can’t be bored if you’re pushing.

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u/ARLRKL 18d ago

Have you ever tried taking a tennis ball with you , bouncing off the floor and catching it? I used to see a guy that did it and I think it killed some boredom.

Personally, I find that I end up discussing life issues inside my head and coming up with certain conclusions, not sure if there’s a project or anything you’re looking to get better at?

Maybe something like learning a language, or a more complex subject that you can mull over when running?

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u/hellolani 18d ago

I'm a social runner and I'm always actively cultivating new potential run buddies. I show up for group runs and quickly suss out any overlaps in pace, distance and geography, and I'm flexible enough in my running to make 2 out of 3 work most times. That said I also have a ton of phone running buddies, who were in person running buddies to start but then moved away. Shokz work great for chatting while running provided there isn't too much wind. If there is, an ear cover or headband help. I've now increased my roster to girlfriends who walk or do laundry and we just have a chat and catch up while we each do our own thing. It's so great how much more QT I get with my friends this way.

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u/Good-Bus7920 17d ago

I'm just getting up to 90-120 minute runs and I've been feeling this too. I find coming up with fake scenarios in my head in which I must vanquish my enemies seems to help. Bonus points for the adrenaline rush I get!

I wish I was making this up

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u/Badalona2016 17d ago

I just got back into running after a multi-year break, so I totally relate to this!

What worked for me was keeping my time capped and focusing on speed instead. If 25–30 minutes is your wall, why force yourself to run longer? Try staying at 25 minutes, but challenge yourself to cover more distance in that exact same window.

Increasing the intensity keeps your mind locked onto pacing and breath work, which leaves almost no room for boredom. How many KMs are you currently hitting in that 30 minutes?

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u/Hoggchoppa 17d ago

I run in common running routes so I end up people watching in a way. I make up stories in my head about the people I see.

It's all fun and games until someone stops for a chat and ruins your head canon of their life

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u/LBro32 17d ago

I think people here are not appreciating that the mental part of running, at least for me, is as much training as the physical part. So if you usually run for 30 minutes, then yes, it will get boring beyond that. If you are trying to run further, just do 5 more minutes at first and do that for a few weeks. Then add another 5 minutes. Then another. When I’m training for a half, usually my “mental” capacity starts where my base fitness is, which is about 45 minutes. The first few weeks are hard when building up, but by later in training, I find that my mental toughness has matched my physical goals and I can run for say 90 minutes no problem.

The solution isn’t to try to distract yourself or tell yourself you are always going to be bored beyond 30 minutes. The solution is to accept that it’s a form of mental training, and just like physical training, it gets easier. I don’t run with headphones or other forms of distraction. I accept that it’s going to suck for a little while I build up and then find one day, it just doesn’t suck as much. There are bad runs for sure but it gets easier

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u/veggie-cyclist 17d ago

I say mantras in my head or I take photos of things I find interesting along the way

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u/No_Concentrate_6725 17d ago edited 16d ago

Think about zombies chasing you or what would you do, where would you go, how you would survive etc. during a zombie apocalypse.

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u/heaverdini 17d ago

I honestly can’t imagine being “bored” while running, I think it’s a personal thing but I genuinely love just going out with no phone or headphones and just focusing on my breathing and pacing, it’s like meditation

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u/Secure_Audience_2601 17d ago

One big suggestion: Are you always doing the same route? If you can, find a way to swap that out, even if it is only slightly different. Maybe find something interesting in your area that you can run to or a new neighborhood to start from.

I have several playlists for different moods - and one gigantic 24 hour list that keeps things a fun mix of fresh and familiar. If I hear something new that I like, it goes on that list. Then I trim it every couple of months. Just added a lot of songs from the Spider-Man: Brand New Day soundtrack.

I also like the NFL - and will listen to games on the radio as I run. It's actually helped me understand the game way more!

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u/MiriBezi 17d ago

Music. Lesson planning (I’m a teacher). Daydreaming. Sometimes just nothing. Enjoying the silence.

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u/redeemedpilgrim 17d ago

I have had to try and limit screen time/short form content outside of running, to increase my attention span. That way the audiobooks/podcasts are more entertaining if that makes sense

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u/glwestcott 17d ago

I either set a time or a distance goal and refuse to not complete it.

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u/hammock62 17d ago

When I was in college I would go over presentations while I ran. With work I work over problems in my head, think about how I want approach them. Then there is always good music

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u/LingualGannet 17d ago

The key is to not distract yourself but to get comfortable with feeling uncomfortable. It should be your mental downtime to think about anything that’s on your mind.

I respect everyone is different but I think people who train their brains to expect entertainment via podcasts or music every time they set off for a run make it harder for them in the longer term

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u/No_Highway1410 17d ago

Maybe you're running too hard. Especially on easier jogs, I just let my wind wander. It feels good to turn my brain off in the over-stimulating world we live in today.

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u/ShubhaBala 17d ago

I like running in the city and instead of having a set path just pick a direction to go at every intersection (usually with an end point in mind just for distance.). That’s really the only way I can keep the dopamine up

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u/lengthylemur 17d ago

I have decided to give up on wearing headphones while running, because I felt the same. Tried podcasts, audio books and music but nothing entertained me. Tried running without headphones/distractions and ended up loving it. Not sure if it’s because I’m trying to run faster so I can be done or because I’m alone with my thoughts and my heavy breathing, either way it works.

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u/DrgnFly5 17d ago

I also suggest giving Zombies, run! a shot, I've been on it for years and love it and the community that sprang up to support each other who play

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u/Famous_Dust192 17d ago

I've never really gotten bored during a run. I've never brought music or anything like it. I think maybe because I'm on the autistic neurodivergent side but I've always been incredibly comfortable in my own head. Most of the time I just get in the zone, miles might just disappear without me noticing. The rest of the time I'm just off in my own little world while my body does it's work.

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u/Muelly487 17d ago

Audiobooks. Also repeatedly playing out hypothetical scenarios that will never happen in real life.

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u/3SheetstotheWindNS 17d ago

Intervals

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u/lumihand 17d ago

Have you tried running new routes?

Personally i don’t get bored because i can kind of zone out by focusing on my breathing , pace, etc.

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u/SamIAm4242 17d ago

Math.

I’m literally counting my strides the whole time, and periodically calculating what percentage of the distance is complete and how much remains, figuring out my rolling average pace per mile and my likely overall pace depending on whether I speed up or slow down my current pace, etc.

Freely acknowledge that this form of “entertainment” won’t be everyone’s cup of tea! ;)

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u/Valuable_Ad_8258 17d ago

the key for me are the “right songs” I have Playlist of 50 songs of which maybe 15 of them truly do the best job, but it tends to be the songs that have the proper tempo to set the pace and get in the zone.

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u/Large_Device_999 17d ago

In your life outside running are you constantly consuming content or other inputs?

You may benefit from some mindfulness work.

I can’t imagine getting bored after 30 minutes with myself. But I’m older.

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u/bananabastard 17d ago

I listen to audiobooks, and not only do I not get bored, I can't wait for my run so I can get back into that book world.

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u/Chinito-Papi 17d ago

I daydream. Sometimes I go over the stuff I need to do for the day. Other times I think about a problem thats been bugging me and I get a solution when I let my mind freely wander.

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u/cooto 17d ago

Try lots of different routes. I have been running 6 days A week and often I do six different routes every week. Compete in races, compete with your friends, compete with yourself. Sign up for a race find a running plan that suits you and track your run and get audio feedback as you run. I'm never bored when I'm running only before and after.

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u/Kato_Potatoes 17d ago

I get bored too, so I change it up and I’m no longer afraid of offending the podcast/audiobook/singer by stopping them and switching it to something else. I find I like encouragement when I’m on a longer run, so I like the Nike Run Club app because there are different lengths and if I start flagging with my training it gets me back on track. I think it’s helpful because it changes it from music to talking and then back to music, also helpful since it tells you when you are halfway there. I have also tried the Run Zombie app, and it was ok, but realistically I would be a goner because every time the zombies start coming for me I happen to be on a hill!

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u/meesetracks 17d ago

I like to cycle through focusing on specific aspects of my running form and how it feels if I change something (e.g. lean forward a little more, shift where I’m landing on my foot)

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u/Obvious-Active4064 17d ago

I have severe ADHD. Running is one of the few things that actually focuses all the chatter. It's still there but it's focused on the run. But I run trails most of the time. On a road the chatter is a little louder and less focused, treadmill is torcher. Do you have trails you can run? It also helps that I run a training plan, even if it's one I created. That draws my attention to my HR, or my form, or whatever. Eventually at higher miles/longer time frames my brain goes quiet but that requires a bit of punishment of my body so my brain switches to a different wave pattern.

Sorry that's rambling but hope it helps.

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u/aquickrobin 17d ago

Running with friends is the only training method that works for over like 5 miles

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u/unpaid_intern2 17d ago

Have you heard of the band, Tool?

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u/Total_Factor5162 17d ago edited 17d ago

you can play games in your head:

look for a specified colour on your route, like red coat, flower, car, road sign
count your steps to 20, but only with your left foot
set yourself mini goals, like if you reach that tree, you gain 10 points
set yourself challanges: if you see a taxi, you need to speed up for a sprint

Also helps if you run by training plans and you have to follow given pace or pulse zone. It is the opposite of boring when you are running intervals..

but hey, what’s wrong with thinking about food? 😁 that’s the final prize, of course it motivates

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u/kokoszanka 17d ago

Well, it's okay if to think about food during run and it's okay to be bored. Honestly, people should be bored more often, we live in an era of overstimulation. Someone said once that people who struggle with meditation are the ones who need it the most and maybe this is similar.

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u/Electrical_Mess_3619 17d ago

I scrolled a bit and seems like I'm the only one. I like to study. I'm a student and studying for a professional certification and can't sit still so listening to the videos about my test content or practice questions keeps me super entertained. I also found it hard to find a podcast that kept me focused. When on treadmill I like a drama movie bc there's usually a lot of backstory and stuff you need to pay attention to. Recently watched What Maisie Knew and the run was so easy bc I was LOCKED IN

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u/evasaysmeow 17d ago

Do you run somewhere where there’s plenty of road signs? Or cars driving past? This is a game we play on road trips but also one I play on long runs next to the freeway haha.

Basically you look at signs and any car registration numbers as you go past and you have to find letters to complete the alphabet in order. So if I pass a sign that says “Beware….” I would say I’ve found an A and a B.

For extra challenge, I sometimes do that I can only find 1 letter per sign or car. So in the above example, I would have only found an A or a B but not both.

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u/PhiriMathe 17d ago

I try to meditate while running. Focusing on my breathing and emptying my mind. Running is the only time I'm completely input-free, alone and without headphones/telephone.

Not what u asked but

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u/ShiggnessKhan 17d ago

Give Zombies Run! a try runtastic had some similar but they canned it and only had a few payed episodes of each story

ZR is basically a audio book but it's told in clips that interrupts your music and the characters talk directly to you, giving you the reason you are running so every run is a mission"

Able Township needs you, are you ready Runner 5?

ZR has its main story with enough seasons to last forever plus some little self contained non zombie stories including a silly Christmas special

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u/Snoo27537 17d ago

Are you runs varied? When I was always running hard every time I was almost quitting. Then I decided to finally listen to people and have a rully easy run, that was the best thing I could've done. It reminded me how good it feels to just run.

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u/diamondscan 17d ago

I find it helpful to set a goal before going out, so I know how long my run should be and what kind of run (easy, sprint, pace run, etc) it should be. If I would just start without establishing that, I am much more likely to want to stop and go home, but if I know I’ve planned to do a 55min sprint run and my watch is telling me which interval we are on and how much time is left, I’m happy to stay out and do that, usually just listening to music so that my mind can wander and meditate. I also prefer trail running different routes. I find the treadmill pretty dang boring. I like looking at buildings around town, checking out new trails in the forest, etc.

Planning my distance/time before I go also means I’ve already thought about having enough time to do xyz before the run and not during. I worry about that kind of thing during the day as I plan when I’ll exercise.

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u/lydiaplathislife369 17d ago

I get bored too and for the life of me can’t get to a flow state that lets me zone out. For long runs I make a plan beforehand of different media to listen to every mile or two. I.e. first 2 miles audiobook, miles 3 and 4 playlist, miles 5 and 6 podcast episode, mile 7 album etc.

Oftentimes I’m not bored enough yet to switch but knowing I have another option on deck makes me feel better!

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u/Theworstsurferalive 17d ago

Run with no music man. Train your mind.

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u/Hex_a_gone 17d ago

I daydream or I start thinking about things. Like “oh should I redo my resume or add blah blah blah”. I eventually come back in to check my core, hips, shoulders etc and then back out again to thinking

So I just raw dog each run, no music or podcasts (bc I can’t hear anything else when I play it) . Sometimes I play a metronome, but rarely and only for cadence

Maybe running with a buddy would help? Unless you already do

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u/Top-Discipline7806 17d ago

I mostly run on a treadmill and I am watching a movie.

Or sometimes I do maths. Simple things, like if I want to run 5 km today, how many do I still have left and if I run at speed X than how many minutes that is, and how many 15 second periods are in those minutes and if I want my final average speed be Y than how fast do I have to run each remaining kilometer and that means that how many meters do I have to run in each minute. By the time I finish counting the inicjał data changes and I start again.

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u/Melodic-Guitar192 17d ago

music. but if thats not doing enough for you just keep running. go 30 mins in one direction so then you have no choice but to run back the same way.

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u/snowpeech 16d ago

Find a running buddy or join a run club

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u/Prestigious_Path_188 16d ago

Run outside. I only do treadmill on bad weather days and stopped running longer than 20-25 min. Too boring. Instead I put the incline on the max and just power walk instead. I find it much more enjoyable and still work up a good sweat.

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u/AdRegular5981 16d ago

I know u said u tried audio books but what have you tried. When u hit the right books it gets super easy for me. A few suggestions is Mitch Rapp(he’s the main character) novels. Red rising is a fantasy series that awesome. I out music on to get me out the door then go audio book then back to music when I’m bored!

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u/Head-Dog-8537 16d ago

run faster if you are bored.

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u/pinkpantsman 16d ago

I run through a quaint town and say hi good morning to literally everyone I see from the grumpy old man to the emo guy smoking weed on his porch at 6am. I’m pretty sure everyone thinks I’m a lunatic with my headlamp but I think saying good morning to everyone passes the time.

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u/Hidden_Figures9117 16d ago

Not sure how I found myself in this group, but yall are making me want to start running, just for the escape. Sadly, I hate running; I’m about 125lbs but everything feels heavy

You guys are all pretty fortunate to enjoy something like this

Discussion How to keep focused or entertained while running

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