When I walk, unless I run to the point of pain, my mind wanders. I try to focus on my steps—when my heel strike to the sidewalk. Left, right; one, two. I went to the shoe store one time and the salesman videos me walking to analyze my gait. I don’t remember exactly what he said, but I think it was something about trying to step so that my foot lands flat, as opposed to leaning back and striking with my heel first and my toes last. This is a good example actually – thinking about the shoe salesman and the gate analysis – of the thoughts that creep into my mind and distract me from focusing on something simple like just my steps. When I really can’t stop my thoughts, that’s what I actually enjoy running to the point of pain. Persistent physical pain is a good object of mental focus. If the pain is dangerous like a pain that might kill me and I would be worried. But when I am running, I know the pain is just from exercise, so I enjoy it and focus on it and don’t worry and even see if I can test my limits.