Mental Trick to Add Time to Your Running Workout with Music

Bluetooth headphones and music help keep you going

This mental trick will help you add time to your running workout. Music is a great mental diversion when you are logging miles on the run. You can use it to extend the length of your workout. Whether your goal is to log more miles or burn more calories, music can help you make it happen.

Here is the mental trick.

Music keeps your mind off your discomfort – at least it helps. When you are listening to music the sound of your own breathing is softened. This alone keeps the “I’m working too hard” and “I want to quit” thoughts at bay. While music can be a time waster of sorts, this is good while on the run as it allows you to get lost in the words and rhythms. The rhythm, or beat, also aids in finding a consistent pace as your steps sync with the music.

Try this:

Create a playlist of songs you like to sing along with. They should be upbeat enough to keep you moving, but not so fast that you get exhausted trying to keep up with them. If you can sing all the words while running, the beat is too slow. If you can’t belt out any phrases, slow it down. Check the time and number of songs on your playlist. If you typically run for 30 minutes, make sure your playlist lasts longer than that. I would suggest 45 minutes. You can use the shuffle and repeat modes to extend the playlist if you prefer, but hearing a song for a second time may trick you into thinking you have completed your workout and you may be tempted to stop.

Whether you are a beginning runner or a seasoned competitor, you can benefit by changing up your running playlist to trick you into running longer. You can use this mental trick to help you endure other tasks like mowing the yard, painting a room, or canning vegetables!

Do you have a mental trick that helps keep you moving? Please share it in the comments below.

Running Granny Green encourages women, especially grandmothers, to gain greater fitness by providing tips and inspiration to insure long years of joyful grand-parenting. The cookie recipes are a bonus!

Happy Running!

Carol - aka Running Granny Green

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