I've had people ask what I think about when I run. You can imagine just how many thoughts run across a person's mind during a 30+ minute time span with nothing but the wind to keep him or her company. I don't know about other runners out there, but I don't have an answer to this question.
Just a few hours ago, I ran about four miles on my own, and I can't recall a single thought that past through my mind. As far as I know, my mind was a complete blank. In fact, I ran with an iPod, and the only song I remember is the very first one that played. I know it was a nice run in nice, cool weather, and I can remember most of the sights along the route. I certainly remember an unwelcome tag-along that sniffed at my heals and caused me to run into a tree branch that knocked the earphones out of my ears. And I remember the dead armadillo on the side of the road (and the smell). But what did I think about?
This isn't always the case. Sometimes I go for a run in order to clear my mind, sift through thoughts and anxiety after a stressful day, play over a conversation I had or plan to have. But those are runs for the specific purpose of thinking. Like most runners, when I head out the door and start my watch, I'm running for the purpose of training for a race or staying in shape. By the time I stop my watch and reach for a bottle of water, whatever ran through my head moments before is long gone. Funny.
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