What runners think about while running confirms our suspicions

Have you ever watched a horde of runners fly by and wondered how on earth do they do it?

Long-distance running can be as much of mental challenge as a physical one. Most of us consider how much longer we have to go, or ask ourselves why on earth we’re putting ourselves through all that pain.

You wouldn’t be alone in wondering what on earth is going on inside the heads of those people jogging an “easy” 15 miles before work on a Monday. The British Psychology Society decided to do some research and their findings are making us feel a lot better about ourselves.

The study revealed that the runners surveyed spent 32 per cent of their time running thinking about how much “Pain” and “discomfort” they were in.

They also spent 40 per cent of their time considering how fast they were going and how much longer they had to go (the runs were at least 7 miles long). A popular thought to consider: “downhill, don’t kill yourself”.

To be fair they did spend the rest of their time out running considering their surroundings. Although while most were considering the beautiful scenery, others were concerned with any dangers hiding around the corner. Such as “I hope I don’t see any snakes.”

Some of our favourite thoughts from the survey:

"Hill, you're a b**** … it's long and hot.”

"This is such a fu**ing busy street. I hate it.”

"That sucked!”

"I need it to start raining, it's hot, its' really hot, humid.”

Another thing that makes this survey even better, the runners were asked to “think aloud” while they ran rather than trying to remember everything afterwards.

So the next time you drive past someone who looks like they’re giving themselves the best pep talk of their lives, they’re more than likely lamenting their dodgy knees or ill-fitting socks.