Lacking motivation

Le Equalizer

All,

As a first time user of Boards, it's probably best I start with a mundane if probably common problem/issue.

Following running the DCM last year, I've let my running slip to the point where I am finding even completing a 5 mile run both tiring and a chore. After the marathon, I took my foot off the pedal and basically did little or no running up until a few weeks ago.

I'm just wondering if other users had suffered from this following a marathon (particularly their 1st one) and what they did to combat the malaise.

Lock

I find the calendar can be a great motivator. Tomorrow is the 1st of August. You could kickstart your running by picking a few short-term goals, varying in difficulty, and seeing if you can achieve them this month.

Change of focus might be good. If you're coming from the marathon, try shorter distances for a while to keep it interesting.

Run with different people. Run in different places. Run with no watch. Run with a HR monitor. Run with a cape. Run in costume.

Seriously though, if you're bored just change it up. Or take some time off and get the love for running back. That might be best. I'd say it will only be a week or two until you want to run again.

Ruu

Sign up for a race and set your to get in shape for it.

Chivito550

Join a club. Good way to meet people, which may therefore improve motivation.

Or take up something completely different. Something which you actually enjoy. Sprinting, tennis, chess, the piano. The list is endless.

Le Equalizer

Thanks folks, I've just recently moved to the States too so that has taken me out of the comfort zone of home. A lot of races here start at odd hours in the morning (7am mostly) and with not driving as yet, it's difficult to get to them. However, I realise that these are all just excuses and the hardest and easiest part is getting the shoes on again and just running for the love of it.

Ruu

Some really amazing spots in the US to run, whereabouts are you if you don't mind me asking?

Van.Bosch

I'd take a step back, if you now view running as a chore and not enjoyable, what is it that makes you want to run? There is obviously a conflict there and whatever is pushing you to want to run is likely where you will get the motivation from.

I have been in a similar rut but for about a year, what drives me to get out is a target, so a PB in 6 months in a HM. Now that I'm focused on that I'm enjoying it although all fitness has left me!

brutes1

It can happen, esp after a marathon, important to take a break after which you obviously have... As others have said, something different is the key, speedwork, an aim /target race, and very important in my view is training with others, it really takes away the bad cop in you head and makes it enjoyable. Running solo is even for the best willed , a tough sport, and can get disheartening and boring without something to aim for or purpose.
Join a club out there or ask at work re running buddies , it will lighten the road....

Le Equalizer

I'm in Philadelphia at the moment, moved here in April with my wife. Like anything else, moving to a new city involved plenty of nights out meeting new people and this has obviously had an effect on my running. Following a bit of research, there seems to be a thriving running community here so I'll be making contact with some of them over the next few days to see where they run etc.

Also, taking on board some of the advice above, there's a Runner's World 1/2 festival on in a place called Bethlehem which is near to where I am staying. There are a number of distances involved over the weekend so I'm focusing on getting myself in shape to run at the very least a 10km. I think being surrounded by like minded people and feeling the buzz of an event again might help to rekindle the old spirit!

I very much appreciate all the replies, this forum is a great source of inspiration also.

Le Equalizer

Day 1, Five Mile run done. I've decided to try to push back the negative thoughts in my head with regard to my running and just get out there, 1 foot in front of the other and just enjoy myself. Have to say, it was a beautiful day for a run and I finished up with my lungs burning, calves sore and a big smile on my face. Just have to keep it going now.

rom

Can you request a mod to move this to training logs sub forum if you are going to regularly update this thread. Thanks

mr.wiggle

Sitting here reading this I realised I was going thru my usual 'funk' leading up to a race. Had a full day yesterday to do a planned run, buit cried off cause i was 'tired'. Thought nothing of it till now.
Every bloody race i plan for its the same, two to three weeks out I start missing runs and feeling low on energy. I do a a lot of shiftwork with extra shifts thrown in so I usually put it down to that, but I iz starting to think its more than that. Has to something mental..like myself :pac:
This weeks runs are messed up now, so I'm juggling them around, but still gonna find this weekends LSR kicked to Monday, with the target race on the Sunday after.
Anyone else have this affliction? Please say YES !!