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Home / mental marathon training

10 Thoughts Runners Have All Had At Least Once

Last Updated on November 2, 2023 by Amanda Brooks
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14 Comments

Why is it that when you’re in a bad mood, people love to tell you to smile?! Something about that makes me angry and prone to punching, but that my friends is also why I run. Today a few more runner thoughts you might understand as well!

During a run last week, I felt myself going through the gamut of feelings and it dawned on me that some of you could probably relate.

And because what’s better for starting your day than some GIFs to bring it all to life and reminding us as always that it doesn’t matter what pace we run or how far we run, the experience is still largely the same.runner thoughts funny

10 Runner Thoughts We’ve All Had

Maybe you haven’t had all of these yet…to which I say, keep running it will happen.

1) Blah, blah, boredom when inactive friends tell you running ruined their knees, hip, back, insert ridiculous body part. We’ve already busted this myth a number of times, but if you need some ammo for this conversation next time, read this.2) Convinced of a conspiracy after getting back race photos. Do photographers only snap when I’m walking?

Maybe we’ve simply become to used to taking numerous shots while out on a solo run, where we can pick out the best shot!! Interestingly, over the last few years I’ve started to embrace all those BAD race photos because they usually show effort.

But if you’re trying to get a better one, check out these tips!3) Despair when you realize that liar who said you were almost done wasn’t even standing at the half way point. Followed by murderous rage.

I’m not sure there is anything worse you could say to a runner who’s working their butt off. So if you’re confused about how to support a runner, checkout these funny running signs. Make us laugh, not cry!!4) Smug superiority when posting your early morning run in the dark and the cold before your friends even crawled out of bed. Cause that’s how we roll and gosh darn it, we deserve some extra respect for putting in so much hard work.

Plus, it also then fully explains why they see us eating second and possibly third breakfast.5) Entirely out of shape climbing a set of stairs, even if you did run 10 miles over the weekend.

How often have you heard someone after a marathon saying “I feel so out of shape”. They haven’t run in two weeks and suddenly they think they’re a couch potato. We distance runners have a warped sense of effort, but stairs will always put us in our place.Hilarious but true runner feelings6) Complete annoyance when someone complains about their slow pace and it’s better than your 100 meter sprint.

Speed is always relative, but oh baby, ya gotta know your audience when talking about feeling “slow”. It’s a little like when my mom used to look in the mirror and call herself fat and I was the little teen who was probably already her weight!7) Confusion mixed with “how awesome, I hope that’s me someday” when being passed by someone 40 years older, with a double jogging stroller or whose not even in the race.

You could be frustrated by it, but why not be amazed. That my friends is GOALS.

Need a laugh today? Checkout these common #runnerprobs an share yours Share on X

8) Jubilation at winning a race lottery, who needs those million dollar tickets.

Social media on the day of a big lottery can be your best friend or worst enemy as you see everyone else who got in and somehow for the 5th year in a row you still didn’t!!! Unfortunately all of the big six marathons are lotteries, so you get at least 6 chances a year to have that feeling. 9) Pride at a running shoe collection to match every outfit, it isn’t hoarding, it’s practical.

Over the last year, I have really forced myself to whittle down my shoes. I’m donating pairs constantly and yet still I have at least 7 shoes in my rotation at all times….and that’s probably on the low end.A girl needs plenty of running shoes and other funny running thoughts

10) Ravenous hunger. While running, after running, before running…it has something to do with dreaming about food for hours during training. We like to call this RUNGER and it can be tamed, if we want to.

Now the thoughts while running are a totally different story. Those range from doing my taxes in my head to conquering world hungry, I can’t share most of them with you because something mystical happens when you stop running… you forget EVERYTHING.

What are some that I missed?

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Author

Amanda Brooks
I am a running coach with over a decade of experience helping thousands of runners to achieve their goals from running injury free to crossing that marathon finish line with a PR. I’ve run over 28,000 miles in my own running journey since 2002. Run To The Finish is my place to share that love and my deep dive in to researching all things running. I hold multiple run coaching certifications, as well as a personal training certification. But it’s my ongoing desire to learn and progress as a coach that has allowed me to help runners from their 20’s through their 70’s! More ways to connect with me:
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ellie

    February 5, 2017 at 7:50 am

    Refusal to remove shoes/get a pedicure/wear sandals in social situation due to my lack of toenails and callused feet. Should I just get my toenails removed?! Hahaha

  2. Kris

    February 5, 2017 at 10:58 am

    Love #4! Even if I don’t tell another soul, it makes me feel “badass” to run while most others are in bed or in the gym. Bunch of wanna-be’s….

  3. Alexa @ Flo & Grace

    February 5, 2017 at 3:06 pm

    Amanda, I am howling … and not because I have experienced ANY of these myself (insert me at #1!), but because this is my hubby spot on! Sharing with him fur shur!

  4. Sarah

    February 5, 2017 at 3:58 pm

    Haha! I love it, this had me laughing. I can relate to many even if I haven’t run much lately. I inserted my husband into many and laughed even more, especially #4 now with me taking barre after dropping the girls off at school.

  5. Jenn

    February 6, 2017 at 7:02 am

    HaHa! Love these! I can relate to nearly all of them (especially the stairs – what is it about stairs that makes me feel like I have never exercised a day in my life???)

  6. JODI A TIVEY

    February 6, 2017 at 9:13 am

    Oh my gosh, these are great!!! LOVE
    I would add POUTING: When you can’t get out and run like you want to either due to health, injuries or weather!!

    • amanda

      February 8, 2017 at 1:36 pm

      ahhh pouting, how could i forget that one!!

  7. Emily

    February 7, 2017 at 7:56 am

    Ok, these totally made me laugh and nod my head. Yep.

  8. Eri

    February 9, 2017 at 11:44 am

    Very true, very relatable!
    I’m just laughing at #3. Especially when they say “it’s all downhill from here” and you see the uphill ahead of you. Ha!

  9. Sarah

    February 18, 2017 at 3:21 pm

    Funny and great article! Great photos too! Keep up with the good work :D
    Kind regards, Sarah

  10. Marley

    November 12, 2019 at 6:45 am

    Fear. Afraid you won’t make it home before you have to poop

  11. Alyssa

    November 12, 2019 at 9:59 am

    Number 7…except mine was during a race , running my fast pace and being passed by a speed walker!!

  12. Debbie

    November 18, 2019 at 7:47 am

    These are all awesome! I’ve done them all. Also, those thoughts on the run? Yes! I’ve written blog posts, letters to the editor (presumably about something that ticked me off), and Instagram captions, all of which I promptly forget as soon as I stop running. What is that?

    • amanda

      November 18, 2019 at 10:50 am

      I think it’s usually the need to pee. HAAAA

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