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Deep Thoughts from the Long Run

July 8, 2020

I took notes during my last long run, just to be able to bring you a glimpse into the brain of a runner. Today I’m sharing those deep thoughts. Enjoy!

Running is a funny thing. On the one hand, it’s really fun and refreshing. On the other hand, it can be daunting, arduous, and sometimes even distressing. And more often than not, on a long run, it can be all those things combined. And that’s what I love the most about running. You never know what you’re gonna get.

My last long run was a mash-up of elation and aggravation. Let me set the stage: I was running solo. I had tunes, podcasts, snacks, and plenty of water. I was totally ready to roll. And things were going great! Until they weren’t. And then they were! I waffled and ping-ponged through thoughts and emotions for the entire run. Which is frankly not atypical of me during solo runs. Heck, even during partner or group runs I move through the spectrum of emotions.

Don’t believe me? I took notes during my last long run, just to be able to bring you a glimpse into the brain of a runner. Today I’m sharing those deep, deep thoughts. Enjoy!

Deep Thoughts from the Long Run | Running on Happy

Deep Thoughts from the Long Run

“Cheese and rice! I only ran 4.3 miles?”

“Shit. I have to pee.” (while running through a residential area, no less!)

“Why haven’t I seen anything interesting?”

“How have I been listening to this podcast for 50 minutes already?”

“I love this song!”

*5 seconds later* “Geeze, how is this song STILL on?!”

“I hate running.”

“Why is it so hot?!“

“Everything hurts and I’m dying.”

“I love running!”

“That suitcase was kinda disappointing.”

“Am I gonna make it?”

“My legs are toast and it’s kinda hot out.”

“Woohoo! 12.25 miles. Almost done!”

“Mother trucker!!! Am I done yet?”

“Why haven’t I seen anything interesting?”

“UGH. I’ve officially hit the wall. Snack time!”

“Uh oh. B asked if I need a ride home. Do I need a ride home?! Maybe I need a ride home!!”

“Omg I see my house. I can’t make it! Why god, why???”

“I’m never running again.”

“Damn, that was awesome.”



Summer running gettin' you all mixed up with emotion? You're not alone! Check out these deep thoughts from the long run! #running #longrun #summerrunning
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Take every run in stride…

Yes, I thought all of those thoughts and probably a thousand more that I forget about already. My mood, my outlook, my general feeling about the run was ever-changing. And as much as running long distances in the summer is extraordinarily difficult, I always enjoy it. I may say I’m never running again, but that’s the funny thing about running… you never know what you’re gonna get, and good or bad, it’s usually *overall* awesome.

If you find yourself struggling with summer running, just remember to take each moment, each mile, and each run in stride.

And side-note: nine times out of ten, my thoughts gravitate toward food. I tend to think about food most often when I’m running with others, though, which is why I didn’t mention food once to myself during this run. But believe me: food always wins.

xo

Let’s talk!

Do you cycle through all the feels during a hot long run, too?

What’s your fave food after a long run?

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23 Comments


Wendy
July 8, 2020 at 7:36 am
Reply

Ha! I’d hate to share what went through my head on Saturday’s long run, lol!



    Rachel
    July 8, 2020 at 1:52 pm
    Reply

    Hahaha! I won’t ask… 🙂

Coco
July 8, 2020 at 7:53 am
Reply

LOL, I definitely go through the “why am I doing this?” — “I’m so lucky I get to do this” cycle. I definitely start thinking of food or at least coffee towards the end of my run. On long bike rides I think about food much more!



    Rachel
    July 8, 2020 at 1:52 pm
    Reply

    I think about food A LOT. Probably 90% of the time. But admittedly I think about food more during winter long runs than summer ones. Must be because I’m dehydrated and I’m trying to survive. Haha!

Catrina
July 8, 2020 at 8:16 am
Reply

Nice idea, Rachel!
I think my thoughts are very close to yours.
Unless I am thinking about something specifically – a project, a work problem, a recent interaction, etc..

Now I am wondering: how did you take note of these thoughts? Did you voice record them? Or did you simply memorize it? 😉



    Rachel
    July 8, 2020 at 1:51 pm
    Reply

    Lol! Toward the end of the run when I was walking a lot I took out my phone and typed them up real quick. It was a nice way to pass the time. 🙂

Kimberly Hatting
July 8, 2020 at 8:33 am
Reply

I know my thoughts go round and round, especially when running solo…but I doubt I’d ever remember them to write a post about them LOL



    Rachel
    July 8, 2020 at 1:50 pm
    Reply

    I made a very conscious decision to keep track of my thoughts specifically for this post. It was kinda hard. Ha! Talk about multi-tasking…

Deborah Brooks
July 8, 2020 at 8:36 am
Reply

I have definitely had many of the same thoughts while running in the summer heat. I swear it makes me delirious. I often wonder why I am doing this. It’s hard to get the “I have to pee” thought out of your mind once it’s there!



    Rachel
    July 8, 2020 at 1:50 pm
    Reply

    Right??!!! That one was tough! Sometimes it magically goes away but for some reason on my last long run it just lingered… lol!

Chocolaterunsjudy
July 8, 2020 at 8:49 am
Reply

Heck, I only ran three miles today. Started out: this really isn’t so bad. I’m glad I decided to run today. Then the gnats (and something buzzing) closed in. Why did I forget the bug spray — AGAIN? Oh yeah, I needed to get out the door to beat the heat. This sucks. In a less buggy are: this really isn’t as bad as I feared . . . .

Food often gets me through hard runs. Today it was a Bobo’s Toaster Pastry.



    Rachel
    July 8, 2020 at 1:49 pm
    Reply

    Omg I was battling with bugs today, too! Ugh they were so annoying and I was so wet from sweat that I couldn’t even swat them away!

    Great job on that run 🙂

Paula Rothman
July 8, 2020 at 5:27 pm
Reply

All that and more, I run solo or with a pup. Don’t want to talk or listen.. only tunes.. each race is an adventure. What u see.. I like to stop and take photos and then I feel there is more to it than excercise.. fav food is a tough one.. after a long run everything sounds good… brunch probably Aamzing how no 2 races or runs are the same. I have run over 100 half marathons now. And some mornings after poor sleep I think I’m gonna get a pnw, but somehow it all works out… some days it’s uplifting and fun. Some,days I cry



Lisa @ Mile by Mile
July 8, 2020 at 6:56 pm
Reply

Yep, I definitely cycle though all the emotions on a long run! I did a similar post a few years ago and its so funny to look at the range of thoughts/feelings that happen in just a few minutes. The heat makes those long runs especially tough!



    Rachel
    July 8, 2020 at 7:10 pm
    Reply

    Yes, ma’am! The heat is definitely the catalyst!!!

Laura
July 9, 2020 at 6:27 am
Reply

The heat makes long runs tough! I often do long runs without any entertainment (sometimes do an audiobook), and half the time I ended up mentally replaying a song that’s stuck in my head.



    Rachel
    July 9, 2020 at 2:05 pm
    Reply

    I’ve done that before — with the song on repeat in my head. It doesn’t make for a pleasant run sometimes. 🙂

Julie @ Running in a Skirt
July 9, 2020 at 9:29 am
Reply

Oh man! What a run. I swear I solve all my problems running. And then I stop and I can’t remember the solution half of the time. lol!
GOod luck with your run this weekend.



    Rachel
    July 9, 2020 at 2:05 pm
    Reply

    Haha! That’s how it feels to me sometimes, too.

Jenn
July 9, 2020 at 12:50 pm
Reply

Now I want cheese and rice LOL!

My brain goes nuts when I’m out running. Sometimes, I write posts or stories in my head. Sometimes, I argue imaginary disputes (I’m so weird LOL).

Back in my super long run days, I really loved a cheeseburger when I was finished (or at least at my next meal). That would just hit the spot.



    Rachel
    July 9, 2020 at 2:04 pm
    Reply

    Haha! That’s so funny. Cheese and rice is a really good meal. Add some beans and mmmmm!

    I write posts when I’m in the shower. I do my best work in there. And then by the time I’m seated at my computer, all the words somehow disappear… whomp whomp!

Angela
July 9, 2020 at 4:29 pm
Reply

So true for me too!It has been 7 months since I have done any runs over 6 miles, reading this makes me miss my long runs!!!



Hannah Heitz
July 11, 2020 at 11:01 am
Reply

Your list of thoughts made me laugh out loud! “Why is it so hot” rings true for me too! I’ve had to move to the treadmill LOL Your long run sounds amazing though



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