Boredom on long runs

[jessmarimba]

I can't do long runs without people's help. My ideal 20-miler would be running about 5 miles to a run, running with people, and then running home (I can end by myself as long as I'm running straight to my door!)

Or...I had one loop here where I was 3 miles from a park with a 3 mile circumference. So I'd run there, do 4 laps, run home. Not unbearable, and it broke the run up nicely (I can do 3 miles without getting TOO bored, but I'd try to run with people on the laps around the park).

+1 on audio books also.

[yellow]

For me the best way is to run with others. This year I've been struggling with the boredom factor too as my best running buddy is injured and not running now. Normally I make her run all or part of my long runs with me. I have another newer running friend and we are able to run together sometimes but our schedules often don't mesh. Last week I went out and ran 4+ hours by myself. Being alone was the hardest part (and I was really alone out on an island in the Great Salt Lake; I think I saw 3 people total in the 4 hours). The running part was surprisingly easy (well, as easy as running for 4 hours can be).

Finding a good partner is hard. I have many running friends that I don't actually run with because they are just too fast. So I usually wear the iPod when I am out on long runs on the trail (I don't run on the road). Most of the time I can work myself into a Zen-like trance and literally just think about one foot in front of the other. Other times I occupy myself with my eating and drinking schedules. And then other times I think of it as a series of small runs, focusing on making it to point x, after which I will worry about making it to point y. I talk to myself a lot (I don't sing because it tends to interfere with my breathing ). Sometimes in the winter when the trail conditions are really tough I fight breaking into tears because I am really wishing I had a partner in misery

So I guess I'm all over the freaking place mentally. Maybe that's how I manage!

[colby]

This question was harder to answer than I thought it would be. What DO I do on long runs?

I do try to vary where I run when it's going to be more than 12 miles for several weeks (months) in a row.

I also have an endurance coping technique, which is to say "I'm ALREADY 10% done!" even though that's only 1-2 miles Crossing 50% done is a huge mental win, and then major landmarks similarly if I'm running on a course (things like starting the second loop, etc). Your typical "break it down into pieces" stuff.

I visualize, especially crossing finish lines (trust me, visualizing an Ironman or even marathon finish never gets old), or where I'd be in this course or that course ("the aid station with the ford inspiration station" "going over the big hill, glad I'm not doing that right now").

Mantras. I've done it before, I'll do it again. Light and fast. Bring it on, I can take you. Depends on the weather and how I'm feeling.

Lately I've taken my dog with me, but that will come to an end as seasons change and I increase mileage. It feels good to do something for her, and I try to take things in with her on another level.

I do think about stuff, or I'll "write" in my head (how would I describe this run, this thing I passed, my experience in general).

From what I have read, you can break your long run into 2 long runs in the same day and still benefit (increase your endurance). If you can't do over 2 hours but you have 4 hours to run, do 2 hours in the morning, eat some breakfast/lunch, then do 2 more hours. You have to account for the increased warm-up time of two runs instead of one, but still get your miles in. Come race day, there will be a lot of distractions as it is.

[colby]

Ironically, Active.com just posted this on facebook.

http://www.active.com/women/Articles...ing-Blocks.htm