Long runs

[Anonymous]

I am training for a half marathon and am starting to extend my longer runs, which means running further than I have in the past. I like my short and fast runs to get them over with, but I am finding the longer runs harder mentally. How do you train your mind to keep going? Do you listen to music, podcasts? How do you organize your runs? Lately, I have been zigzagging between streets to break up the run versus running continuously on a longer path and back. That seems to help.

[Anonymous]

I find what a do for a living horrendous, so everything else is amazing? 🤣

Curated music is a good choice. Nice locations. Sometimes I loop Haines point. Nice on a day like today.

Unlike triathlon, nearly every running race on earth allows music. So you will have it with you race day.

[Anonymous]

Everyone's different mentally, OP. Whereas you're trying to avoid out-and-backs, I always liked those when training because it was a physical, visual demarcation that "this is farther than I've ever gone before!" But YMMV (literally!).

I agree with PP that a curated playlist of songs that motivated me really helped as I trained for the half. There were times I felt like crap, but the music made me keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Best of luck to you!! You can do it!

[Anonymous]

Get this: https://citystrides.com/

Set up an account, pay the annual fee to get faster uploads. It's a map that fills in the route you ran and over all the years I have lived in my home or ran various routes it has tracked them. I try to fill in all the neighborhood streets and I find that I run further and plan my routes in advance to go to new places to fill it in. It's completely meaningless but I have a lot of fun with it.

I have also tracked runs around the world as I've taken business trips or been on vacations. It's fun to look back at them and remember.

I have Audible, podcasts, music and that gets me through longer runs, too. Run with a friend, if you can, even if only for part of your run. Catching up with someone makes the miles fly by.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for your suggestions and encouragement. I am excited to finish my half marathon. I appreciate the goal-oriented aspect of my training.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Everyone's different mentally, OP. Whereas you're trying to avoid out-and-backs, I always liked those when training because it was a physical, visual demarcation that "this is farther than I've ever gone before!" But YMMV (literally!).

I agree with PP that a curated playlist of songs that motivated me really helped as I trained for the half. There were times I felt like crap, but the music made me keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Best of luck to you!! You can do it!

I am the music poster. Because of time reasons, I run almost exclusively on my Peloton Tread+ (the one they are finally selling again). What an amazing training device. I have the same feeling about out and backs, except in my case it is the videos. I have blown through all the 90 and 60 minute content multiple times. I have been doing my 1:30 long runs in Oslo Norway the last few weeks.

Another option OP is to mix up your long run. The purpose behind polarized training is mostly to avoid being injured. Follow your plan, but don't be worried about doing something like a base pace and up-tempo pace on repeat. I have that in my plan right now. So - 10 minutes warm up, then 3 up-tempo followed by 7 base, repeat that a total of 7 times for a total of 80 minutes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everyone's different mentally, OP. Whereas you're trying to avoid out-and-backs, I always liked those when training because it was a physical, visual demarcation that "this is farther than I've ever gone before!" But YMMV (literally!).

I agree with PP that a curated playlist of songs that motivated me really helped as I trained for the half. There were times I felt like crap, but the music made me keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Best of luck to you!! You can do it!

I am the music poster. Because of time reasons, I run almost exclusively on my Peloton Tread+ (the one they are finally selling again). What an amazing training device. I have the same feeling about out and backs, except in my case it is the videos. I have blown through all the 90 and 60 minute content multiple times. I have been doing my 1:30 long runs in Oslo Norway the last few weeks.

Another option OP is to mix up your long run. The purpose behind polarized training is mostly to avoid being injured. Follow your plan, but don't be worried about doing something like a base pace and up-tempo pace on repeat. I have that in my plan right now. So - 10 minutes warm up, then 3 up-tempo followed by 7 base, repeat that a total of 7 times for a total of 80 minutes.

I like this options. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

I listen to music and I try to find a long run trail I like.

[Anonymous]

I love podcasts - but not for running. I need music. When I’m about 3/4 of the way through I start the 1812 overture, which is so long I can get through a mile just on that song. All other music is upbeat, but I love that song so it’s a great mental change up.

I’m a fan of out and backs for long runs. I don’t want to check mileage or maps. Just out and back. I like the Mall loop plus Haines Pt.

[Anonymous]

Get a ride to your start point so you can go one way. Even better if it’s down hill.

[Anonymous]

I love listening to podcasts. I have a few I love, so I am motivated to run because it means I get to listen.

[Anonymous]

I can't really train to podcasts because I need to focus on stride, footing, speed. I cycle through playlists. I do a lot of visioning while I'm running. I also run at the end of the day after I've been super focused on work. The run clears my head and also once cleared so much problem solving happens for me without consciously thinking about it. (As opposed to a podcast that would require I pay attention, which I can't do when training.)

I also run a loop and while I don't speak to anyone, I generally recognize the regular runners.

[Anonymous]

Podcast, music (sometimes but more for tempo work), friends!! Running with others really makes a long run much more fun.

[Anonymous]

I can’t handle out and backs, especially on a long run. I need a loop.

I really like podcasts, but lately I’ve been listening to the Bridgertown (sp?) audio books and those are also fun. I think I may stay with audio books for a little bit.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for your suggestions. ❤️ I have to do a very long run this Sunday.