Long, long ago, long before I even thought about my first marathon, a coworker causally mentioned that she was running a 17-mile training run. Prior to me running marathons, and contemplating an Ultra (eep!), 17 miles sounded like an absolutely ridiculous amount of mileage. So I asked her,
“What are you going to think about for 17 miles?”
I don’t remember her answer, but once I started running those distances, it became apparent that I had to start finding some things to think about while I was running. So here it is, what I think about when I think about running.
- Prior to us getting married, I often thought about who would marry us. Neither of us was big in the church, and I worried that we wouldn’t be able to find anyone to do it. That fear was unfounded, because I found an amazing female officiant who was just what we needed, and provided us with a little bit of counseling before we got started.
- “I wonder if I will be able to wear this bra again without washing it.”
- I listen to a Podcast called “The Read“. Do not, I repeat, do NOT listen to this podcast if profanity offends you, but I listen to it a lot on runs, and sometimes it makes me laugh out loud. Then I think that anyone driving by in their cars might think I look like a lunatic because I’m laughing so hard that I’m falling off the sidewalk.
- I think about my husband a lot. Like what he’s doing, or if he might think that I look pretty while I’m running.
- I think about why my thighs are chafing, especially in the summer when I forget my Aquaphor.
- “I wonder why my stomach is hurting so badly. I hope I don’t have to stop at the Whole Foods (again) to….well…”
- “Why are they so mean to the women in Mad Men? It’s kind of gross. And by kind of, I mean, really gross.”
- “When will Justin Bieber/Rihanna/Ke$ha release more music. I really like them!”
- I imagine what it was like if I started touring with Little Mix. I would be the lead singer (obviously).
- I also imagine what it might be like if I opened my own coffee shop, called The Skinny Café. I would obviously be part of the logo. Winking and smiling.
- I also imagine what it would be like if I narrated my own episode of This American life.
- Pasta.
- Nachos.
What do you think about when you’re running?
Overactive Blogger 
When I’m not completely focused on how much longer I have to run, I’m motivating myself with Katy Perry. I think about her movie and how her skinny toned legs marched across the stage and I think, “just keep going, you’ll be Katy in no time.” Haha Crazy I know, but it’s gets me through it!
Funny that you say that because I’m really inexplicably obsessed with her. I cried a little during her movie!
Neato – I usually end up working through issues as I am running along, noticing the scenery, waving at little kids, who sometimes talk about the activities they are doing, and, of course, coaxing my way toward the end of hill/hard workout by remembering it will help me in the end. My longest run ever so far is a half marathon, but I hope to change that in 2015!
You can do it! I went from half to a full in a matter of months. Once the bug bites you, you really can’t stop.