Today’s topic for Tuesdays on the Run is anything running related. It was just one of those weeks where Patty, April, and I were scraping the bottom of our creativity well. Sadly, my running is going about as well.
I used to love running. I never had to push myself to get out the door. Sure, some days I was less motivated than others, but slumps only lasted a few days at most. Then I’d be back to my usual self and striving for some new goal.
Confession: I haven’t wanted to run since I finished my 13 half marathons in 79 days. And if I were being truly honest, I was kind of done before I even got to ZOOMA last spring.
I’m running out of things to try. I’ve given myself goals. I’ve run Ragnar. I’ve run long and slow. I’ve run short and fast. Heck, I’ve run short and slow. Sometimes I have a great run. Sometimes I have a sucky run. I’ve tried giving myself a break from running so that I miss it.
Nope.
Pretty soon I’m going to have to change the name of my blog to “MCM Mama Sits on her A$$ and Eats”.
Have you ever had a running slump that lasted more than a few days? How did you get out of it?
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The weather has been so beautiful the past few weeks so buy some new clothes and shoes and come out and join one of the group runs. Run without your watch just run to have fun. Your mojo will come back 🙂
I’ve been so busy, I don’t have time to drive to a run. Hopefully things will calm down soon..
hope so! Miss chatting with you 🙂
Deborah’s suggestions are good.
Another might be to just WALK (fast) to & from as many places as practicable. Simply moving your feet may help.
Or get one of the boys to take a bike ride while you run with them?
RUN FOR A BEER? Reward yourself for your runs. Burn off the calories before you drink them!
Ha! I’ll pretty much always run for beer…
I have been through a slump like this. It’s been a while but I sort of feel one lurking in the shadows. What worked for me was to not force it –sometime absence really does make the heart grow fonder!
I hear you. I just need to run Ragnar every weekend LOL.
I’m feeling the same way about running right now – if it weren’t for Philly hanging over my head I’d probably take a complete break. I agree with Coco, maybe you just need a break…pick a different workout for a bit, but don’t force the runs.
I’m sort of afraid I’ll never go back to running…
I can see where this can happen for sure. I keep excited about running by trying new events!
I think that’s part of the problem – my calendar is mostly empty and adding to it is not really an option right now.
It sounds you are a little burned out. Allow yourself some rest. And try to mix it up a little. Spectating at a race helps me a lot, love to feel the energy.
It was odd because usually when I volunteer at a race, I’m jealous of the runners. I really wasn’t this past weekend LOL.
If I’m in a slump, I try classes at my gym to keep up with cardio but change things up. Sometimes I just don’t want to run. The worst was when I started my first job out of college. I tried to keep up with workouts before work, but then I fell out of it and couldn’t get myself back to the gym.
I experienced something similar in grad school and gained 15 pounds. I just don’t want to go there again.
You’re crazy to run that many half marathons and keep up with training for all those months! You’re running-burnt out, so take all the time you need to mentally recover.
Yeah, it took more out of me mentally than I expected.
I agree with pretty much everything everyone else has said. The weather has been getting perfect fall which helps, some new clothes/gear,spectating at races- they all help. I also find that sometimes going for walks really helps me. Even when in training to just go out for a scenic walk some afternoon- clears the head. Then when I get to run the next time it’s nice to go faster than when I was walking.
I get so bored walking – maybe that will motivate me to run LOL.
Oh, I have soooo been there. I’ve been feeling this since right after Zooma as a matter of fact. And I”m not sure my enthusiasm has even showed itself again. Have you thought of just taking another running break? That’s what I will probably do as soon as MCM is over.
I’m impressed you trained for MCM without loving the run. I haven’t even been able to keep up the mileage for half marathons.
I’ve been in a nasty running slump for a few months but I realize that I always go through this in the summer (stupid Florida summers!). With the first cool weather hitting, I am already enjoying my runs a bit more. Sounds like you need a new challenge though. Maybe a trainer or a different training plan? Maybe ultras? Unleashed or one of those really tough obstacle races?
I keep hoping the cooler weather will make a difference. I did manage to run today and I’m actually scheduling a run for tomorrow, which is something I haven’t done in a while.
I had a running slump last year. And when I say last year I mean ALL of last year. I ran a LOT (for me) in 2012 and was just burned out. I didn’t want to run, so I didn’t. Well, not any more than a mile or three here and there. Then when I started getting back into it regularly last fall I kind of liked it again. Now I’m kind of back in run love.
Maybe you just need an all out break and not even worry about when you’ll get your mojo back. Do other things and just live in the moment. It sounds like major burnout and you should let your brain and body relax for a bit. You never know what might spark a comeback, if at all. And that’s ok!!!
I’m just coming out of a slump that lasted A YEAR! It was awful. I didn’t reLly think I was capable. I think I did too much in prep for my half ironman. So the past six weeks the weather has helped me a lot and I’m keeping my goals smaller and month-to-month. Trying to be less ambitious and am actually accomplishing more and feeling better about it.