Do you ever dream about running?

Yes. When I was building up for Boston last winter, I had two really vivid dreams about the race itself:

1. About 4 miles into the race, I had to use the bathroom. I stepped off the course to go into a church to use the bathroom, but then couldn't get back out of the church! I stood inside the church watching out the windows with horror as all the runners ran by. Finally, I got out, but all the runners had gone by, and all that was left was an empty street covered with smashed gatorade cups.

2. I woke up the morning of the race and heard that the race had been delayed for an hour for some reason. So I decided to get another hour of sleep before heading to the start line. However, when I showed up at the start line, I found out the race hadn't been delayed and I'd missed the start.

I also had another dream, but this one was AFTER I'd already run the race:

3. I was running the race, when my shoes came untied. I stopped to re-tie them, but for some reason, couldn't get them tied again and lost a ton of time.

So we both had the dream about the shoe laces? Weird. I can't explain it. All I know is that those were some of the worst dreams I've ever had.

i once had a dream before states that i was running in the 3200 but i was really dragging ass. and it wasn't just me, it was me and a bunch of kids. i'm talkin ill pace here--like 8 minute miles--and there was nothing any of us could do about it, no matter how hard we tried. eventually we got lapped by a bunch of runners but then magically on lap 7 i came around the far turn and saw a huge hot tub where the steeple pit was! so i grabbed an ice cold beer and jumped in. so it was a pretty sweet end to a crappy dream

I have dreams about running all the time. Usually I can't remember details, but I always am struggling to shuffle along, and I feel terrible. i always figure I must have a little sleep apnea, or breathing problems, so when I'm dreaming about that stuff, i'm not breathing well.

That's an interesting take on the dreams involving slow running or racing. I always assumed I wasn't confident in how my training was progressing when I dreamt like that.

Recently I had some dreams where I was effortlessly winning a race or two, or I was back in college running intervals easily. I figured that was due to confidence in my current training.

Here's a twist. When I dream about winning a BIG race (i.e., the olympics), I realized my point of view was not as a runner on the track but as a spectator in the stands watching myself. I guess this means I really don't believe it will happen.

In 15 years of running I've had one running dream - I ran an 800 that was 2 "out and back" 200m straightaways in 1:43 flat. I woke up confused as hell thinking I might have actually set a 10 second PR the day before or some shit. weird, but the only dream Ive ever had with anything running related in it.

I have had the same dream a few times before important races... I am wearing big heavy waterproof boots and can't run for shit....And I get really angry because I have done it before and I can't believe that I forgot my shoes again... Very frustrating...I think it all stems from an impromptue race I had with a schoolmate as a very young child in which I actually did wear a big pair of waterproof boots..

Those dreams are freaky, where you wake up without a firm grasp on reality.

The other night I had a dream that I had gotten 5 parking tickets totalling $200, and my brother in law had given them to me (he's not a cop) I was mad as hell, and even more confused when I woke up.

I would say my good vived dreams are outnumbered by bad ones 3 to 1.

i had a dream that i was going to watch some friends run the LA rock and roll marathon a couple weeks ago. when i got there it was snowing and windy and i decided to start running the race. then suddenly it was sunny and hot, and i realized i was way behind everyone. then i heard a rumbling in the distance and around the street corner i saw a giant wave of paper cups stampeding towards me. i figured there was some cleaning lady sweeping the cups out of the street and she was sweeping millions of cups at me. then i woke up.

I've had several running related dreams. The best dream I had was when I won gold in the olympic 400m. I was wearing a green speed suit. (I've never raced an open 400 in my life).

I've definately had some weird running dreams. I think that my favorite was a recent one where I was running a high school steeple race. (I'm not a steeple runner)

For some reason I thought that the race was going to be inside my house, which I eventually realized was quite wrong. I went to the school thinking that I had missed the race, which I was very upset about since I was the favorite, but they were just about to start. Not being ready I lined up and kicked off my sandles, and spent the first bit of the race taking off my flannel shirt.

The next problem was that the track was pretty much a marsh, with waist deep water and full of vegetation. The steeple barriers were about 7 ft. tall so you had to climb over them. This was very discouraging to me so I decided I'd just try to hang on and kick (almost literally since we were practically swimming).

Anyways, the first lap seemed to take about 5 minutes, after which on the backstretch of the 2nd lap, me and the other runners around me got very lost in a dense forest complete with ancient ruins and holes that you could fall through. After MUCH discussion and running, we eventually found our way back to the track, only to find that the meet was over...

I've decided that I shouldn't take up the steeple but that I might have a bright future in orienteering.