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Main Boards => General Walking Discussion => Topic started by: AFANASIEW on 13:54:09, 05/10/18

Title: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: AFANASIEW on 13:54:09, 05/10/18
A friend who's training for the London Marathon asked this question of me. We've all been there, on a long tarmac section, on a Forestry Commission track with no views, where you're just plodding along to eat up the miles. How do you occupy your mind?
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: sussamb on 14:34:36, 05/10/18
Sing ...
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: harland on 14:56:51, 05/10/18
My wife asked me that when I walked the SWCP for 5 weeks.  The real answer is I don't know!  However there is always something to look at, if that fails I think of lunch or a shower and a drink in the pub in the evening.  I must remember not to walk with sussamb! ;D
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: dav on 15:24:10, 05/10/18
Walk faster, no time to get bored! Running training for a marathon I would focus on visualisation of how i was going to run the race and imagine myself running strongly and cruising along. Ive done that many times and not even noticed that long steep hill that I am now on top of, that I usually struggle on.
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: forgotmyoldpassword on 15:58:24, 05/10/18
Podcasts.  Originally music, but as I ran and hiked more and more I started to listening to 'talky' shows which takes you out of the feeling tired and bored.  At this point I subscribe to over 100 podcasts so there's always something to listen to on my phone.  There's nothing wrong with many hours of introspection, but after a certain amount of this (esp with poor weather) I prefer to have something to listen to.
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: Dyffryn Ardudwy on 16:53:04, 05/10/18
Its impossible to get bored with life, as there are so many things to do, and places to see.
Ive just returned from a great day out to Birdsowald  Roman fort on Hadrians wall.
The weather was not the best, but at least it was dry, and i was able to tick off the last Roman fort on the wall.

No its impossible to be bored, life is far too short for that.
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: sussamb on 17:20:01, 05/10/18
I must remember not to walk with sussamb! ;D


Cheek  ;D .  I do only do it when no one else is around  O0
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: BuzyG on 19:13:03, 05/10/18
Work harder and focus on the pain. Just kidding. 


I don't think I do long enough walks to get bored.  Plus the veiws at every new headland are breathtaking, on the SWCP.
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: Mel on 19:21:33, 05/10/18
I only get bored if whatever I'm doing is a "chore" ... an arduous task that "has" to be undertaken.


.... so I never get bored on a walk because I'm doing it by choice, because I want to and because I enjoy it.



Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: gunwharfman on 19:25:46, 05/10/18
I too sing, talk to sheep, I bah, they bah, sometimes I bah-bah, not often they reply! I also play some music, have a bit of a dance around, especially when the music momics my walking pattern (Respect by Aretha Franklin is good) I think of good ideas and jot them down, its very  hard work hiking! One bloke I know learns and recites poetry! Sometimes I dwell on an up to date topic, think of the questions and the answers to why its crazy to leave the EU for example! Sorry, couldn't resist it! Last but not least I often go over memories of my life, very entertaining at times but often depressing as well.
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: Dovegirl on 20:52:39, 05/10/18
I never seem to get bored on a walk as I always find something of interest in my surroundings. If ccasionally it becomes a bit of a trudge I just plod on.
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: rural roamer on 22:24:49, 05/10/18
Just imagining sussamb and gunwharfman crossing paths on their walks  ;D
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: sussamb on 07:49:07, 06/10/18
 ;D
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: AFANASIEW on 07:49:41, 06/10/18
My answer was that I spend quite a lot of time working out timings and converting kms on my Viewranger to miles.
'Calling Elvis' nicely matches my pace when cracking on.
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: fit old bird on 18:02:32, 06/10/18
If I have a long flat straight stretch to do I separate my brain from my body, my legs move on automatic pilot without me thinking about it. I take my mind off somewhere else, usually bring up memories from my childhood and teenage years. I have conversations with myself, do you remember......and I wonder what happened to......


I think about all the jobs I have done, all the places I have been to, all the people I have known, and the relationships I have had. I have had a very interesting life.


I learnt this tactic while driving long distances on motorways, sometimes having very little memory of the 250 miles I had just driven. I always reached my destination without incident.  :)


And yes, I talk to sheep and cows, and sing.


ilona
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: Doddy on 10:48:31, 07/10/18

Don't listen to the Inner Chimp. Focus on the things around you, wildlife, plants, hills. Works for skiing as well so you don`t focus on the technical aspects of turns, body position, etc. In the words of the Sponsor; Just do It.
.
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: dav on 11:19:52, 07/10/18
Just as an aside to this. I can never understand walkers who wear ear pieces listening to whatever. Surely that distracts from the walk and surroundings etc. I get the impression that they will remember whatever they are listening to but not where they have been.
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: ninthace on 11:45:59, 07/10/18
Just as an aside to this. I can never understand walkers who wear ear pieces listening to whatever. Surely that distracts from the walk and surroundings etc. I get the impression that they will remember whatever they are listening to but not where they have been.
When I walk solo I often listen to Radio 4 through earpieces. Exercise for mind and body. I have no trouble at all remembering where I have been or what I have seen.  On the other hand, I have noticed that groups of walkers are so intent on conversation and letting one person lead that I suspect they may not know where they have been.
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: Magic girl on 16:55:47, 07/10/18
I'm glad its not just me who chats to sheep,cows and other animals i come across 😂😂i never get bored while walking as there is always something to see.I also run and never understand people wearing headphones i think it's dangerous for a start as there are no footpaths where we are and people drive down the country lanes like lunatics.I love the changes in seasons and like to see what birds are about and often see deer,rabbits,hares and other animals and if i happen upon a nice view i like to just stop take a deep breath and just feel happy to be alive x
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: fernman on 17:22:29, 07/10/18
After reading through all the previous replies, am I alone in having interesting conversations with an invisible friend in my head?

(Confessing this to the wife, she says a conversation with a sheep would be more interesting.....)
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: tonyk on 23:27:05, 07/10/18
A friend who's training for the London Marathon asked this question of me. We've all been there, on a long tarmac section, on a Forestry Commission track with no views, where you're just plodding along to eat up the miles. How do you occupy your mind?
Hitting the wall in the marathon or having nasty blisters on a long walk will soon make you realise its not so bad being bored and pain free. ;)
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: AFANASIEW on 09:13:57, 08/10/18
Just as an aside to this. I can never understand walkers who wear ear pieces listening to whatever. Surely that distracts from the walk and surroundings etc. I get the impression that they will remember whatever they are listening to but not where they have been.
Dav, music can enhance the experience and make the occasion much more memorable. Stand-out moments for me on the Pennine Way were hearing, on random shuffle, Pearl Jam's 'Black' as I ascended Black Hill and 'playing' my walking stick as air guitar to Led Zep's 'Hots on for Nowhere' on the climb up to Standedge in the sunshine. Having said that, I only plug in occasionally - two days out of 18 on my recent trek from Land's End to Lyme Regis, for example. Yes you do sacrifice the full immersion in the natural world, but don't you find, occasionally, that you can have more than a sufficiency of the wind whistling in your ears?
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: 37 427 on 11:30:55, 08/10/18
Take up Birdwatching record what you see and put the data into birdtrack on the B. T. O website, or even an interest in the trees and plants, for me personally listening to music whilst out in the countryside is unnatural to me. Surely nature provides the acoustics one needs.
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: gunwharfman on 15:09:09, 08/10/18
In the course of a days walk, if I listen to my radio or mp3 records, it might be for a maximum hour, or a bit more? If I listen, I have to admit my preference is R4, music does little for me these days.
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: phil1960 on 15:17:28, 08/10/18
It’s impossible for me to get bored, try walking with a young border collie, it’s all entertainment. But even before we had the dog I have never been bored walking, too much to see and hear in the surroundings, for me listening to music or the radio is for when I’m chilling out at home, each to their own but why anyone would want to do it while walking is beyond me I’m afraid  :-\
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: RogerA on 15:55:07, 08/10/18
I dont use music or podcasts - that to me would seem against the spirit of the walk - personal point of view not suggesting anyone else should agree.
I havent ever found myself getting bored, but its a great question, I dont get bored because I enjoy what I'm doing is probably my best answer. I do spend a lot of time thinking about other things that are going on in my life, a lot of time enjoying the scenary or looking for photo opportunities. I also (@gunw) have been known to talk to sheep.
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: sussamb on 16:01:03, 08/10/18
But even before we had the dog I have never been bored walking ...

Ah but you have SWMBO, jelly is never boring ...  ;D
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: phil1960 on 16:16:10, 08/10/18
Ah but you have SWMBO, jelly is never boring ...  ;D
Ha ha ain’t that the truth Jon  ;D
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: Davidedgarjones on 10:03:19, 09/10/18
If you have a map with you, treat it as navigation training, matching the map to the various landscape features that you encounter so that you always know where you are - often quite difficult  - at least for me.
Dave
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: dank86 on 21:11:21, 15/10/18
Im another singer lol there's normally a song floating round my head anyway lol


If it's a day hike I don't mind popping the headphones in, on multiday hikes I won't listen to as much if any music etc
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: sunnydale on 09:09:32, 16/10/18
Don't listen to the Inner Chimp......



Hmm, have you read the book by Steve Peters I wonder? ;)


Very occasionally, I do get bored on a walk.  It's usually when the group are trudging over one field after another, with very little to look at/photograph or find any interest in and where the only view is of the next field. ::)
I always aim to add variety/interest to the walks I lead but not everyone does that.  It seems to be just about getting the miles in with some folk. The quality of the route takes a back seat sometimes, unfortunately.


As for listening to music whilst walking; I've used an ipod in the past on what I call my 'training walks', where the rhythm of the music helps me keep up a good pace etc.
I remember sitting high up on a coast path somewhere once, with a fantastic view in the most beautiful weather. I put my ipod on and selected a track by Vangelis, which only served to intensify the feeling of contentment and peace within me.
Some music just seems to match the surroundings/view perfectly 8)
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: NeilC on 10:28:47, 16/10/18
My phone has podcasts and audio files on it which I'll use if I get bored. Depends on the conditions. If it's a beautiful day in a beautiful area then I don't need anything but after say 4 hours trudging through mist and gloam on my own then I benefit from a distraction.
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: Bigfoot_Mike on 17:26:42, 24/10/18
I tend not to get bored, as I am always looking out at the scenery and watching for wildlife. On real slogs (e.g. Elidir Fawr) I normally find myself calculating and recalculating how much longer the ordeal is going to last. My brain often switches off from being full blown active and wanders off thinking about all sorts of things. If I could only remember all its bright ideas I would have solved world hunger and become a multi- millionaire by the end of the day.
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: pdstsp on 17:29:03, 24/10/18
I tend not to get bored, as I am always looking out at the scenery and watching for wildlife. On real slogs (e.g. Elidir Fawr) I normally find myself calculating and recalculating how much longer the ordeal is going to last. My brain often switches off from being full blown active and wanders off thinking about all sorts of things. If I could only remember all its bright ideas I would have solved world hunger and become a multi- millionaire by the end of the day.


Think you must be going up Elidir Fawr the wrong way  ;D , though if you solve world hunger going up the slog route might be worth it!
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: Bigfoot_Mike on 17:48:42, 24/10/18

Think you must be going up Elidir Fawr the wrong way  ;D , though if you solve world hunger going up the slog route might be worth it!


True. I must try ascending Elidir Fawr by another route. However, my next ascent is likely to be part of a south to north attempt on the Welsh 3000s, so the slog is likely again, unless I add some distance to my short stroll.
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: pdstsp on 18:11:07, 24/10/18
Ha - yes - looks like you're going to be doing the slog route!  I was up there on Saturday and ascended via Carnedd Filiast and Mynydd Perfedd - lovely views, had the place to myself and no chance to get bored, but not sure it's a route for a go at the 3000s!  Good luck.
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: Slowcoach on 18:52:54, 24/10/18
I once tried listening to music while training for a London marathon but found if i actually heard the music i wasn’t concentrating on what was going on around me and if i concentrated on what i was doing i had no idea what had played. So i gave that up and just take an interest on what is going on around me.
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: AFANASIEW on 21:44:08, 24/10/18
Just done 3 days on the SWCP and didn't even think of taking music. Plenty of people about with whom to exchange greetings and one-liners, awesome October weather - and thoughts turning to what food to cook at the glamping site tonight.
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: richardh1905 on 08:50:46, 25/10/18

I never get bored on a walk.


Even if the clouds are down and the scenery is drab, walking is great thinking time.
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: Rather be walking on 10:13:02, 26/10/18
If you get bored walking, long or short, I think its time to look for new activity / hobby  ;)

Jon.
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: Jac on 13:15:48, 27/10/18
If I am bored I go for a walk  - works for me but similarly...……


Very occasionally, I do get bored on a walk.  It's usually when the group are trudging over one field after another, with very little to look at/photograph or find any interest in and where the only view is of the next field. ::)
I always aim to add variety/interest to the walks I lead but not everyone does that.  It seems to be just about getting the miles in with some folk. The quality of the route takes a back seat sometimes, unfortunately.
Some music just seems to match the surroundings/view perfectly 8)


Not having an ipod the music is in my head - also works ok for me without blanking out natural sounds of birdsong, wind in the trees, etc
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: richardh1905 on 20:21:21, 27/10/18
If I am bored I go for a walk  - works for me but similarly...……


Not having an ipod the music is in my head - also works ok for me without blanking out natural sounds of birdsong, wind in the trees, etc



I sometimes find this song entering my head when I am walking alone, a jolly tale of sibling rivalry and murder >:D


Clannad - Two Sisters (https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=VeFIv8zCFX0)
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: Rob Goes Walking on 21:12:40, 27/10/18

I sometimes find this song entering my head when I am walking alone, a jolly tale of sibling rivalry and murder >:D

Clannad - Two Sisters (https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=VeFIv8zCFX0)


I listened to it, kind of dark for such a cheery tune. I like it.
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: AFANASIEW on 15:16:43, 01/11/18
At least some of my time on the SWCP was spent reflecting on the contents of my blog, which have been pulled together in an e-Book, 'The Hiking Obsession (https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07K34ZMK8/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1541084490&sr=1-1&keywords=hiking+obsession)'.With apologies for the blatant plug.
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: archaeoroutes on 20:29:07, 03/11/18
Until this question came up, it never occurred to me. Walking is something I do to not be bored. Either I'm exploring what's around me, or letting my thoughts wander, or not thinking and just enjoying the sensation of walking.
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: Moreandy on 22:31:26, 03/11/18
I never get bored , there’s always something that keeps my mind occupied 👍
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: AFANASIEW on 23:16:32, 03/11/18
Maybe the young who have grown up with an online gaming addiction are more prone to boredom. I'm certainly not afflicted by it normally, finding plenty to reflect upon, from memories to conundrums, from humorous ideas to philosophical questions, from plans to calculations. Nevertheless, there are boring, featureless stretches, where there's no virtue in immersing yourself in your surroundings, so you hurry along to reach somewhere more interesting.
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: AFANASIEW on 17:30:31, 15/11/18
Thanks for all your responses, which I've passed on to the guy who originally posed the question. I've now blogged on the subject (https://whiteacorns.wordpress.com/2018/11/15/boredom-on-the-trail/), hoping that I haven't misrepresented your posts.
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: Dyffryn Ardudwy on 16:02:11, 28/11/18
Impossible to get bored, Masterchef professionals is on, best bit of telly all year.
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: ninthace on 17:17:18, 28/11/18
Impossible to get bored, Masterchef professionals is on, best bit of telly all year.
I guess it's all a matter of taste




See what I did there?  :)
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: AFANASIEW on 17:50:52, 28/11/18
Impossible to get bored, Masterchef professionals is on, best bit of telly all year.
Good reason to get out walking, even into the teeth of a gale!
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: richardh1905 on 08:09:58, 29/11/18
I guess it's all a matter of taste




See what I did there?  :)



 :)
Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: Mel on 22:56:09, 22/12/18
Right.  I've edited this post because the spammy spam spam topic hijack has been removed and my original reply then looked like was being REALLY rude to the OP  ;D   :-[  (which I wasn't) I was being really rude to the spammy spam topic hijack post.



Title: Re: How do you combat boredom?
Post by: Innominate Man on 23:15:30, 22/12/18
"Does anyone know the deadline for Blackfords LLP Training Contract Application? May your Christmas be Blessed and your New Year be Prosperous"

 
If you give me some time I'll figure out what you are really on about. Perhaps in the meantime you can explain what it that interests you about walking and which range of mountains is your favourite and what your favourite walking yarn is ?? - you know, just humour/entertain us while the security forces close in on you   :D

PS - well done security, you beat me to it