I have been struggling lately. My runs have not been going well and I just can’t seem to get my heart back into it. I feel like I am stuck in a vicious cycle. I have a bad run, I feel down about it, I try to over analyze it and that makes me feel even worse about it. I don’t want to run because it went so bad so I don’t for about a week then I decide to just get out there and guess what?? Yep another bad run.
I felt the best way to cure this is to allow running to be fun again. I am not training for anything at the moment so I feel it is the perfect time to go naked. Yep drop my watch, forget the mileage, the pace and all the other things I keep track of and just head out the door, just me and the iPod. Run when I feel like running and walk when I feel like walking. Go as far or as little and as fast or slow as I feel like going, and be okay with it. Believe it or not this is how I started out running and here I am almost 4 years later still doing it so it couldn’t have been all that bad.
To add a little extra fun I have added a couple “novelty” 5ks to my summer lineup. On June 14th I’ll be in Irvine for the Neon Splash Dash with Officer P, his brother and his brother’s wife. Then the end of July I will be here in Fresno doing the Neon Night Run with a couple members of my Mom’s Run This Town Chapter!! I am hoping that by doing a few fun (non-timed) races I can remind myself why I liked to run in the first place. I am hoping this will be the refresh I need before starting half marathon training again the first part of September.
I don't know if running naked will help you but I'm sure it will catch the attention of your neighbors! Seriously though, I always approach bad runs (or a series of bad runs) by accepting that without them, I can't fully appreciate the good runs. Also, you could use what you feel is a bad thing (over-analyzing) to your advantage. Look at your numbers and figure out what you are doing and look for a solution.
ReplyDeleteHope you find the fun back!
Now if I did run naked I sure would run faster! LoL. Thank you for the advice! That is how I became obsessed with stats. I am sure I will get back at as soon as I start training again.
DeleteGood luck with your fun runs and I hope you get your mojo ASAP!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Abby. Me too. I've been running for almost 4 years, but this is the first time I have been in a funk for this long.
DeleteWhenever I am in a "running rut" (aka a few bad runs) I throw out the Garmin as well and go for shorter, slower runs. I don't really make a plan so at the end of the run I'm happy no matter what happens. Mind over matter sometimes :) You'll find your groove again!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Karen. I'm sure it's just a matter of time.
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