Running in dreams

[jrel]

I've been able to fly, walk through walls, float, walk on my hands, walk on ceilings and do all sorts of crazy physical feats in my lucid dreams, but I struggle to do something very simple: RUN.

For some reason, even in my most lucid dreams I fail to be able to run. My legs feel like heavy logs and I can't make them move faster than a brisk walk.

I did have one dream where I simulated running by essentially flying really fast next to the ground with my feet about 1 inch off the ground, moving them as if I were running. But I don't think this counts. Of all the amazing physical things I've done, I still can't just run like a normal person. I find it weird.

Anyone else have any input on this?
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[dgw897]

Running and walking for me is also weird in dreams, normally in a dream (non-LD) i dont actuallt have a body so i just drift along but in LD's when i run or walk im not actually sure i have legs, i have never looked to check, it feels like i do but who knows?
As for your problem, i think there are a few solutions.
1-Why bother running? Just fly
2-If your current body is un-responsive then make a new one?
3-Just keep at it i guess and it will work eventually
4-Don't move, move the dream around you
Have you considered that in this situation you are over thinking it? Running is instinctual and not like flying or 'dream powers', maybe if you try to relax a little and go with the flow of the dream it could work better.
Nice to see a new guy! ive only been here for about a week and it's great to have people to talk to about this stuff
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[jrel]

Thanks for the reply dgw. Yeah, I don't really need to run ever in my dreams. If I need to move fast, I always just fly. In one dream, I decided that it might be fun to run, like super fast. Run accross water or something. But I was shocked to find that I could not generate speed by using my legs. Like you said, there are workarounds. I could move the ground under my feet. Or I could do what I did which is fly really close to the ground in a standing upright position. But it still puzzles me why I can't just run.

I do have a body in my dreams. I have arms and hands and clothes and shoes. I can look at them. And when I walk, I can feel my legs doing work. But I can't make them do fast work. It seems like a strange barrier to have. You mentioned creating a new body. I'm not sure I'm at that level of expertise yet where I can do that. I've never tried shapeshifting or anything like that.

As far as overthinking it, well, the first couple of times I tried to run really fast, I assumed it would be instictual. I surely wasn't overthinking it. I thought 'hey, I'm going to try and run super fast!' and I readied myself just like I had done a million times in waking life, and tried to dash. But .... nothing. It felt like running in thick mud, or snow. This was shocking to me, because I was so sure it would work, and it felt like it should be so easy. Perhaps now, I'm overthinking it, but at the time I approached it with simplicty and confidence.

Thanks again for the reply. I don't know if I'll keep trying or move on to something more fun. I just found it strange.
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[dgw897]

Im sorry i couldn't be of much help, its not a problem i have ever really encountered (dreaming without a body makes creating one fairly easy for me). What i would suggest is once you have gotten over the heady rush of dream control, summon/create/find a DC (dream character) and talk with them. I can't tell you what you will find as i have only just got to the position of considering this and not flying off to adventure but i have been told it is an amazing experience to be able to talk with your subconscious mind. Apparently you can learn lots!
Im sure you will overcome your mental block in time, and i had another thought on it- I have read that sometimes when you try to defy the natural course of your dream it resists, so all i can think of is that perhaps when trying to run you were not following the course of the dream? I may be incorrect and it doesn't apply but it's a thought.
Good Luck!
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who watches the watchmen?

[Conor12]

It's strange, I also experience this to a degree. In dreams I feel heavy and sluggish, often feeling like gravity is working harder to slow me down. Occasionally in lucid dreams I feel lighter, and can run at superhuman speeds but this is rare.
Maybe you just need a higher level of lucidity, so you can exert further control over the dream and realize that there's nothing stopping you from running as fast as you please. Running superhumanly fast in LDs is exhilarating, but maybe this problem represents some issue that you need to confront in waking life. Perhaps you're prone to rushing into situations without thinking? Just a thought.
Do affirmations during the day saying "I can run fast" or "In my next lucid dream I will be able to run". Don't just say it, believe it. And as your'e going to sleep visualize yourself running, and what it's like to run fast, as accurately possible. Picture yourself in a previous lucid dream where this occurred but in your visualization, change it's course so that you find that you CAN run as fast as you please. Remember: CONTROL. You create the dream. You control it. Alternatively, find something within the dream to help you. Maybe learn to run by holding on the side of a speeding car in the dream or something. Whatever works for you. Good luck!

[sirgamesalot]

That happens to me too,especially when I am running from things (like zombies).

[Solis Ryne]

I don't usually have a problem running but I do most of my running in non lucids. Usually when I turn lucid the need to run goes away. I went lucid while running superfast on a main road once. Sometimes I do feel like I'm not running fast enough, like am slowing down or as some one said gravity is working against me, and what I end up doing is running on my hands and feet like a wolf. Seriously I don't know why that seems logical in my dreams but it does work to go faster, and it might sound like the worst piece of advice well it isn't advice. Don't do it!

Unless it sounds appealing to you haha
But really, maybe you need a reason to run, most of us run for a reason in waking life and in dreams, running from an enemy out to get you or running with a friend so maybe that's it! Generate a friend and run a race.