Please. Give me some motivation. I'm begging you. I have none. Anything will help.
Getting out the door is hard lately, and my runs are lackluster. I'm trying to get psyched up for the fact that training for Yonkers begins in less than two weeks, and instead I kind of want to just hang up my running shoes and never run again.
I skipped yesterday's run, for no reason. I put my running clothes on (including my shoes) and I sat on the couch for two hours. Eh, I was tired. I didn't want to. So what?
I had super-secret plans to run a half in Virginia in two weeks, but I've canceled those. I'm seriously tempted to bail on the Brooklyn Half, too. Why bother?
I missed my "100 miles in April" goal by 2 miles. And I'm kind of indifferent to that. What does it matter, anyway?
This is what I see on my running route (real iphone photo taken last week):
And yet, this is how I feel:
I know it's normal. I know that every run can't be rainbows and sunshine and floating on air. I know that motivation comes and goes and it's okay. But man! I want to be enjoying myself more.
Any suggestions? (Besides HTFU - I'm on that one.)
Getting out the door is hard lately, and my runs are lackluster. I'm trying to get psyched up for the fact that training for Yonkers begins in less than two weeks, and instead I kind of want to just hang up my running shoes and never run again.
I skipped yesterday's run, for no reason. I put my running clothes on (including my shoes) and I sat on the couch for two hours. Eh, I was tired. I didn't want to. So what?
I had super-secret plans to run a half in Virginia in two weeks, but I've canceled those. I'm seriously tempted to bail on the Brooklyn Half, too. Why bother?
I missed my "100 miles in April" goal by 2 miles. And I'm kind of indifferent to that. What does it matter, anyway?
This is what I see on my running route (real iphone photo taken last week):
And yet, this is how I feel:
I know it's normal. I know that every run can't be rainbows and sunshine and floating on air. I know that motivation comes and goes and it's okay. But man! I want to be enjoying myself more.
Any suggestions? (Besides HTFU - I'm on that one.)
You must run Brooklyn so we can complain about how far that race is for us :)
ReplyDeleteAnd ... er... you forgot sprinkles ... runs must also have sprinkles... (and unicorns sometimes too but those are rarer)...
Oh, I can complain without actually running the race - don't underestimate me :)
ReplyDeleteI could make a mix-tape (how old school) for you with moi on it quoting some running mantras. I could even throw in some meaningless babbling about my dog and yucky toes, if you'd like me to. You could listen to it on your runs. Would that help? :) ;)
ReplyDeleteYES!! But make it a cd - I'm not sure I have a tape player anymore!!
ReplyDeleteHehehehe! Be careful, I might end up actually making it and would be highly disappointed if you wouldn't listen to it through your next marathon training cycle. ;)
ReplyDeleteThat's a risk I'll take!! Thing is, I would SO listen to it!
ReplyDeleteHave you tried self-bribery? I find it particularly effective with tropical cocktails (i.e. when I complete this long, awful run, I will reward myself with a nice pina colada).
ReplyDeleteDon't be afraid to take some time off or drop the mileage for a while. Batteries often need to be recharged.
ReplyDeleteAnd your super secret Virginia plans weren't all that super secret, were they?
I only told one person about my super-secret plans, believe it or not :)
ReplyDeleteI was just sitting here - in my running clothes again - thinking that I'm going to put my run off to this afternoon even if I know that might mean that I don't go. I'll feel better if I think of it as intentionally taking some time off rather than just being lazy.
Wish I could help. When you get out of your funk, tell me how to get out of mine. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteAnd BOO on skipping out VA! I guess that was the the half in Quantico?
@Brooke - the problem with self-bribery is that I kind of indulge myself anyway... I mean, the drink tastes just as good whether it's a reward for a good run or a condolence for a bad one, right?
ReplyDelete@Carla - yeah, that was the plan. But not going to DC after all.
My vote is for stopping completely until the urge returns, and it will, probably much sooner than you imagine. You've certainly earned a few days laying around being lazy. Your running shoes will be waiting patiently when the urge to enjoy that beautiful route returns. :)
ReplyDeleteTrain for a duathlon! Cycling is fun. And will keep up your fitness for more running...when you want to. I sincerely hope you feel better / your bad evil discombobulated patch ends soon.
ReplyDeleteHave you tried adding other activity?
ReplyDeleteIn my world I would so rather be unmotivated and able rather than motivated and injured. BTW -- whatever happened with your low ferritin? I have a follow up blood test in July re: mine. But I've been totally wiped out lately, so I don't think it's getting better. If it's not better I think I'm off to the hematologist...
ReplyDelete!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI just typed out a really long comment about this and then blogger ATE IT. Ack!!!
In short: you're right about the no injury thing - so sorry to hear about your heel pain (I dealt with PF one summer if that's what you have and it sucked - in good news it also went away and hasn't come back, knock wood). And you're also right that my running motivation could be tied to my ferritin. I think I'll turn that into a blog post next week.
You know me. I always like to perpetuate good blog content. :-)
ReplyDeleteI'll run the half with you in Virginia depending on date....isn't that motivation enough????
ReplyDelete