[prlambert]

My dad is a competitive runner and ultramarathoner (now well into his 60s). One of his favorite sayings is ‘how do you know if you’re a runner? If you don’t think about running while doing it.’ I finally got into it too, and for me/us it’s much more like meditation. Or taking a hot shower. I let my mind wander, come up with most of my best ideas, and generally don’t think much about running while out there.

If you can’t do this you’re probably running too fast for your fitness level. I was for a long time.

[vladvasiliu]

That's interesting. I don't usually think about running while running. And I do find the state somewhat meditative, especially since I find I usually observe my breathing and the sound of my feet on the ground.

But this feels more like a "trance" to me, in that I seem to not actively think about anything at all, I just "observe".

[Cd00d]

I agree, and also find it meditative. I also feel like your thoughts engage differently when running. Some of the most incredible conversations I've ever had have been on long runs (marathon training, so multi-hour runs) with a friend - at some point you just start sharing and releasing vulnerability, and discuss things you would never talk to each other about otherwise (for clarity, not because it might be an embarrassing topic, but rather just very internal).

[vsareto]

I generally can't think coherently if I'm doing a 9mph interval for a short time (this is 170-180bpm heart rate territory for me) but I actually prefer that mental state. I wish I could get that same mindset at my lower speed (5-6mph) because the time melts away. It feels like a flow state in a good way but with no focus.