This has been an extraordinary week, to say the least. For many of us, no doubt, just getting out for a run is a pleasure we’re appreciating so much more.
I’ve always enjoyed practicing little mental and physical rituals when I run — like repeating a mantra to myself when I’m feeling discouraged or down, or practicing deep breathing.
That got me wondering, what do you do when you run to mentally “get in the zone”? Do you have any rituals that you’ve discovered, or that work for you? — Terrell
Reading everyone's comments are great! Thank you for the ideas and sharing. I don't really have any rituals. I guess running with good fast paced music is my go to.
These are so inspiring!! Thanks for sharing, I do some praying and build business plans in my mind. I just started an instragram account called @smalltownrunn hope to add a little hope to small towns.
I like to run x4/week. I listen to audiobooks when I run and zone to them. I always have my apple watch calculating my mileage and my "MyZone" heart monitor on when I run. My "treat" run is when I run on the treadmill because of bad weather or bitter cold or darkness and I watch a movie (Queen's Gambit is so good right now!). I'm also motivated by virtual challenges to get all my training in for a half. Right now I'm doing Runopoly and Run to Neptune (Runopoly is more structured).
On weekdays when I get home after work, I immediately change, put my pods in, blast the music and get out the door to get my run over with. On weekends when I have my longer runs, or go climbing I always go to Bigfoot Java and get a coffee (I don't drink coffee otherwise, unless DESPERATELY needed) so a highly sugared coffee is a treat for me, and then I drive out into the woods, or wherever I'm going and blare my music on my way there while drinking it. I always pray for mental clarity, strength and to kick ass in whatever I'm doing on weekdays, or weekends right as I get going. :)
What a great question! I make it hard *not* to run (does that count as a ritual?!) - I drive my kids to school and leave the car there, so have to run home, and I promise to run with my partner. I also use the "Today" app and think of how good it will feel to tick off the run. :) I also make sure I have earphones and a podcast/playlist lined up.
When I first looked at these comments, I really agree with and follow what quite a few folks do during their runs. But I think my real ritual during the week, especially during the winter months when its cold, gray, and gets dark early is having my car full of a variety of jackets (rain, wind, cold) and extra clothes and telling myself as I am winding down my school day "no excuses!"
I always feel better after I run! So for me, changing before I leave work, and stopping to run on my way home works - no excuses!
I generally listen to podcasts, mostly running podcasts. My current one is Strength Running. It helps me relax into the run, and the material is always on some aspect of improving my running, which inspires me to make this training session the best it can be.
I figure out the night before what I am going to wear and set it up. It helps me make sure I do the run and gives me peace of mind. By the way where is the picture with this post from? I am assuming it must be a race just on how crowded it is.
When I am struggling to get through the last of my miles, whether I am on a 3 mile run or my long runs, I always picture myself running across the finish line of many of my past races. I often repeat to myself, "you got this, here we go." It's all mental at that point.
My biggest motivation for running is to expel negative energy from my brain so while on a run I listen to all the negative thoughts and change each one to a positive thought.
Morning runs are my favorite. I like it when the world is quiet and calm. It helps me the rest of my day. I'm lucky to live where I can run outdoors year-round (coastal Southern Calif) and I never take that for granted. So I like to take time to appreciate each run and tell myself during mile 1 and 2 (my least favorite ones) "settle in, settle down and enjoy". Love all these comments!
Whenever I run a half marathon I always dedicate each mile to someone that means something to me. I don't decide who I'm dedicating that mile to until I'm running that mile. It helps me get through the mental toughness of the race while thinking about the people in my life who are special to me.
I have my usual routes, so I visualize a strong segment that I want to accomplish. And I always think about how good it will feel when I finish, no matter the distance.
I touch the mailbox post when I leave and when I return. Every run is different. I am returning to running after a 5 year period of no running. It's time. So the walk, run, walk started Sunday, Jan 3, 2021.
I pray when I run. I count my blessings. I name everything I’m grateful for. I talk with God. That has helped me through my worst times & given me so much help. On Saturdays I listen to uplifting (to me 😁) music & think & pray.
Staying relaxed is an effort for me so I use my running app "mile announcement" as a reminder to relax. Typically, I start with my shoulders and work down. I have this image in my mind watching Des Linden in her 2018 Boston marathon win...running in the cold rain and yet looking triumphant. It helps me relax. Crazy, huh?
I try to get out just before sunrise. I live very near the Intracoastal Waterway and the views are always beautiful especially at sunrise, so I take a minute or two before I start my run and give thanks for the beauty and for being fortunate to live in such a gorgeous place.
When I'm running up long hills, I dream of running the Jungfrau Marathon with its 5,960 elevation gain!
Before a run or race, I always eat oatmeal with almond butter and a banana. Hot Black tea to drink.
Reading everyone's comments are great! Thank you for the ideas and sharing. I don't really have any rituals. I guess running with good fast paced music is my go to.
These are so inspiring!! Thanks for sharing, I do some praying and build business plans in my mind. I just started an instragram account called @smalltownrunn hope to add a little hope to small towns.
I like to run x4/week. I listen to audiobooks when I run and zone to them. I always have my apple watch calculating my mileage and my "MyZone" heart monitor on when I run. My "treat" run is when I run on the treadmill because of bad weather or bitter cold or darkness and I watch a movie (Queen's Gambit is so good right now!). I'm also motivated by virtual challenges to get all my training in for a half. Right now I'm doing Runopoly and Run to Neptune (Runopoly is more structured).
i do not wear a race t shirt until i have finished that race. don't want to jinx things.
also am able to skip porta-potty stops during a race by wearing a depends., saves several minutes of clock time in each race.
On weekdays when I get home after work, I immediately change, put my pods in, blast the music and get out the door to get my run over with. On weekends when I have my longer runs, or go climbing I always go to Bigfoot Java and get a coffee (I don't drink coffee otherwise, unless DESPERATELY needed) so a highly sugared coffee is a treat for me, and then I drive out into the woods, or wherever I'm going and blare my music on my way there while drinking it. I always pray for mental clarity, strength and to kick ass in whatever I'm doing on weekdays, or weekends right as I get going. :)
What a great question! I make it hard *not* to run (does that count as a ritual?!) - I drive my kids to school and leave the car there, so have to run home, and I promise to run with my partner. I also use the "Today" app and think of how good it will feel to tick off the run. :) I also make sure I have earphones and a podcast/playlist lined up.
When I first looked at these comments, I really agree with and follow what quite a few folks do during their runs. But I think my real ritual during the week, especially during the winter months when its cold, gray, and gets dark early is having my car full of a variety of jackets (rain, wind, cold) and extra clothes and telling myself as I am winding down my school day "no excuses!"
I always feel better after I run! So for me, changing before I leave work, and stopping to run on my way home works - no excuses!
I generally listen to podcasts, mostly running podcasts. My current one is Strength Running. It helps me relax into the run, and the material is always on some aspect of improving my running, which inspires me to make this training session the best it can be.
I actually have zero rituals so it's been fun to read some of these. The night before races I have a cupcake so I guess that counts LOL.
I figure out the night before what I am going to wear and set it up. It helps me make sure I do the run and gives me peace of mind. By the way where is the picture with this post from? I am assuming it must be a race just on how crowded it is.
When I am struggling to get through the last of my miles, whether I am on a 3 mile run or my long runs, I always picture myself running across the finish line of many of my past races. I often repeat to myself, "you got this, here we go." It's all mental at that point.
My biggest motivation for running is to expel negative energy from my brain so while on a run I listen to all the negative thoughts and change each one to a positive thought.
Morning runs are my favorite. I like it when the world is quiet and calm. It helps me the rest of my day. I'm lucky to live where I can run outdoors year-round (coastal Southern Calif) and I never take that for granted. So I like to take time to appreciate each run and tell myself during mile 1 and 2 (my least favorite ones) "settle in, settle down and enjoy". Love all these comments!
Whenever I run a half marathon I always dedicate each mile to someone that means something to me. I don't decide who I'm dedicating that mile to until I'm running that mile. It helps me get through the mental toughness of the race while thinking about the people in my life who are special to me.
I have my usual routes, so I visualize a strong segment that I want to accomplish. And I always think about how good it will feel when I finish, no matter the distance.
I touch the mailbox post when I leave and when I return. Every run is different. I am returning to running after a 5 year period of no running. It's time. So the walk, run, walk started Sunday, Jan 3, 2021.
I pray when I run. I count my blessings. I name everything I’m grateful for. I talk with God. That has helped me through my worst times & given me so much help. On Saturdays I listen to uplifting (to me 😁) music & think & pray.
I can’t run without listening to audiobooks. I usually listen to two books per week. Thank goodness for my free library audio app.
The last thing I do before a run is to tie my laces. After dressing. After warm up dynamic stretching ... then my feet feel “settled in”.
Pray.
Staying relaxed is an effort for me so I use my running app "mile announcement" as a reminder to relax. Typically, I start with my shoulders and work down. I have this image in my mind watching Des Linden in her 2018 Boston marathon win...running in the cold rain and yet looking triumphant. It helps me relax. Crazy, huh?
I try to get out just before sunrise. I live very near the Intracoastal Waterway and the views are always beautiful especially at sunrise, so I take a minute or two before I start my run and give thanks for the beauty and for being fortunate to live in such a gorgeous place.