[MBannon]

Besides in the gutter, I mean.<br><br>
When you're on the trainer, the elliptical, the treadmill, or any other non-moving machine, where are you mentally? Outside doing the "real" version of whatever you're doing? Off in la-la land watching a mental movie? Staring at the gym TV and reading the closed-captioning?<br><br>
I'm almost always in a race. It's typically a close one, too, with 3 or 4 people neck and neck as we get closer and closer to the finish line. Sometimes I win, sometimes not. Sometimes the leader trips and breaks an ankle and I stop to support him (a woman would never break an ankle in my mind) as we together limp frantically for the finish line before the 3rd guy overtakes us (a woman would never be so heartless in my mind).<br><br>
Where are you?

 

[hobey]

<img alt="huh.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/huh.gif"> Fookin' nut. Sure sounds like la-la land to me.<br><br>
I'm making to do lists in my brain or I'm in la-la land.

 

[JohnnyB]

I'm listening to the music imagining a run or race or imagining making a documentary of people training and racing.

 

[ericd256]

My Mind Is In The Gutter Never Leaves. Maybe I Should Try Imagining A Race

 

[Stitcher]

my mind on the treadmill...<br><br>
"Do NOT turn your head......keep going straight.....do NOT step off the treadmill, you'll fall and look foolish......."<br>
Repeat ad nauseum.

 

[Tri-Tammy]

It really depends on the type of workout.<br>
If it's intervals- I'm racing someone or something.<br>
If it's an easy endurance, I'm working out solutions to things in my life.<br>
Really long stuff- listening to my music and in la la land.

 

[wyrillco]

I try to be in la-la land, but in reality I'm thinking "how much longer do I have to do this?" most of the time.<br><br>
I read magazines on the treadmill. I can't do it otherwise.

 

[rottensquirrel]

On the treadmill I'm thinking where my next step will be and can I watch the game on tv without falling. On the stationary bike I'm thinking how much longer can I tolerate before my butt explodes.

 

[BethR]

I rode the stationary bike at the gym for 45 minutes today and thought I would go crazy. Plus, I sweat SO much it's embarrasing. I have to fight with myself to stay focused - I read the teletype on the TVs, look down at the stats on the bike (miles, mph, calories burned...) anything to pass the time.<br><br>
I tend to overdo it on the treadmill playing with the speed and incline just to keep it interesting. Recipe for injury if I use it too much.

 

[ericd256]

on the stationary bike i concentrate more on the numbers I want to keep the cadence at,plus on one of them you can kind of go aero so i try to stay that way longer.

 

[4boysmom]

On the trainer, I'm listening to music. Most of the time I sing along. Since it's the "oldies" station, sometimes I'm thinking about what I was doing when the song came out. SOmetimes I'm watching the numbers on my garmin. Most amusing when it shows that I'm actually going somewhere...<br><br>
My one and only run on the dreadmill, all I was thinking about was how soon I could get off the blasted thing. B-O-R-I-N-G !!!!!!!

 

[Tithers]

I always think about how HUNGRY I am when I'm on the trainer. If I'm outside I guess my mind is more worried about not crashing.

 

[LookiLoo]

I'm usually thinking about my grocery list, the day ahead, the week ahead, reflecting on the previous week...I'm just inside my own head enjoying the solitude (usually). Certainly running outside is better, but I'm more distracted (in a good way) by the scenery, conversations with running partners, etc.

 

[mmoonptdeux]

It all depends on the workout. If I'm trying to do intervals, aiming for a certain distance, maintaining a certain HR, etc. I concentrate a lot more on my effort, cadence etc.<br><br>
If I'm just there to take it easy and get in the activity, I'll let my mind wander like it usually does.

 

[Cashmason]

I'm leading the Boston Marathon on the way to winning it. Then the heart rate spikes by 10 beats and I have to get off that fantasy and just listen to my breathing and listening to make sure my feet land softly, no loud thundering elephant stomps.

 

[pcsronbo]

you can leave the gutter? Hmmm... maybe I'll try. Maybe not <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"><br><br>
Depends on what is gonig on. If my body is in the groove, then I set it on autopilot and forget. I'll work on some work related stuff - I crunch through things all the time (and do bill some of my workout times... depends on how focused I can stay!). Or I'll look at the scenery but on a machine not usually much going on... in my garage (on trainer) I watch movies or play with CT or both

 

[bcc594]

I'm not sure. I tend to be able to fully shut down my mind while I'm working out. While running or biking outside, I think about racing outside. While on my trainer, I just watch my watch, and think about time and HR. Maybe it's that endurance athlete 'shut-down' that you need to cope with long times spent doing nothing. I'll have to try watching a movie on my trainer sometime.

 

[Kate60]

On the trainer I am usually thinking about how much my hooha hurts and how I should really get a new saddle. On the 'mill, I listen to music or go to la la land.

 

[SpartyGirl]

Exactly.<img alt="sad2.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/sad2.gif"><br><br>
On the treadmill I half-heartedly watch TV if it's intervals I race.

 

[juliemboyle]

On the mill I listen to music, but mostly watch the clock evey second.....1 minute down, 44 to go, 2 minutes down, 43 to go....I HATE the mill!<br><br>
On the trainer, I am listening to music & Coach Troy....he changes things up so much it goes by pretty fast.