Well...today marks the fifth day in a row in which I have not gone out for a run. My legs feel great. These are unplanned rest days. I have a 50k in about 35 days and I want to run and do well, but right now I do not have the motivation to get out there and get going.
I have thought about the possible reasons why and here are a few:
1. The daylight change--I'm used to getting up early and running in the dark, but now my runs end in the dark as well. During the spring and summer my runs end with at least glimpses of the sunrise. Now it is a world of total darkness (except for the headlamp).
2. The temperature change--Living in northeast PA the winters are longer and colder and I think over the last 5-7 years I am growing weary of the winter months. I just am not feeling up to wearing all of those layers that are necessary this time of year.
3. Burnout (?)--Last year I logged 1,400+ miles, this year I am at 2,400+ miles. Maybe my mind and body need a longer break than what I gave it after the Oil Creek 100.
Whatever the reason is I know I am not through with running. But this is the first time I have dealt with a lack of motivation in my short running career. This leads me to ask the following question for you running veterans out there: How do you stay motivated day in and day out? What do you do to combat loss of motivation?
Please share your tricks and ideas with us.
I hear you and the dark & cold parts. For me it helps cross-training in the early morning on my bike indoors or doing some strength/weight training. Not having to bundle up in the morning makes it a lot easier to crawl out from those warm, warm covers. (Be sure to have a good movie/TV show ready if you train on a bike indoors - it does get boring fast without it.)
ReplyDeleteAlso, I've mixed up my running routine when I run in the morning now - putting in some speedwork gives me a definite goal instead of just another 3-6 easy miles on the same old roads.
thanks Jeff,
ReplyDeleteThe church I pastor offers fitness classes and I just started taking a mens total body conditioning class, it's something new and it will strengthen my core. Perhaps it's time to invest in a good treadmill too, as much as I don't want to.