The Ups and Downs of Running
The original title for this post was “I Suck at Running.” But that seems a little dramatic (and completely void of all perspective), doesn’t it? If you’re looking for my typical recommendations on positive self-talk, the importance of believing in yourself and finding motivation from inside, today is not that day. Today, I am wallowing in a bit of self-pity over having one too many horrible, painful, no-good runs in a row. If I were 3 years old, this is what you would call a temper tantrum, possibly in the middle of a crowded grocery store where every person is glad I’m not their child. It is ridiculous. It is offensive (there are SO many things that could be worse and if this is the most terrible thing going on in my life I have a great deal to be thankful about). It is hypocritical of the way I typically think and the advice I often share. And yet, it is so true right now.
Somewhere after the Albany Marathon (and the wonderful ZOOMA Florida Half Marathon and the bliss that was the Beach2Battleship Half Iron Triathlon), I lost my running mojo. I suppose it was unrealistic for me to think that nearly all my runs could continue to feel good and be faster than I’d ever trained. Or that I could continue juggling life and training with equal levels of intensity and focus. Or that I could run in cold temperatures forever (which I love and adore) and that 80 and 90-degree days would never come.
I took a lot of time off after Albany and just ran when I felt like it (which is a good thing – we all need a break and some rest after big races). Then, I backed out of Rock ‘n’ Roll Raleigh. Then, I started my official triathlon training for the 2014 season and haven’t completed a solid or successful week yet since week #1. Then, I got sick for 2 weeks and started traveling like a maniac. Shut up already, right?
Who am I and how can I get myself back?
I have not been fully committed to my training. I have not been disciplined. I am not doing the things to get me to where I want to be.
I have 5 weeks until I run the Rock ‘n’ Roll Seattle Half Marathon. I do not want that day to be one of the downs that come with running. I want to find the drive and the fire and the discipline that has fueled me to so much running success (for my standards) during the past year. I want to start doing everything I say I’m going to do again. I don’t want to feel like I suck at running. I don’t want to have to stop and walk during every run. I don’t want to keep seeing times on my Garmin that are way slower than what I know I’m capable of.
So, I’m going to do something about it. I’m going to stop bitching talking about it and start taking action. There’s no one to blame but myself, and no one who can fix it but me. No more excuses. No more putting it off. No more sleeping in. No more creating my weekly schedule and only doing half of it.
There will always be ups and downs when it comes to running. It comes with the territory. But I’ve been on a string of the downs for too long, and as much as I love running downhill, I’m ready to go back up. So here I go.
Have you recently found yourself with a case of the running blues? How do you handle the roller coaster of ups and downs when it comes to running?
Comments
Sorry to hear you are struggling but you are right when you imply that we all get to this place at some point. What has helped me manage the sucky times is backing off the speed pressure and allowing myself the ability to run/walk. I will even set my watch to intervals and then choose to not walk. That has been so empowering for me. Choosing to run instead of “having” to walk. My mantra this week has been “who’s gonna’ stop me?”
Thanks for your insightful words Christina. And I love your mantra! 🙂
I love this idea! The intervals and choosing to run kind of puts you back in control. Definately using it during my next tough spell(but I hope that’s not for a while;)
I’m struggling with being down on myself and running since majorly missing my goal in my marathon a couple weeks ago. I’ve made the horrible mistake of comparing myself with others and berating myself for not being tougher. It’s pointless to do this to myself, but I’m stuck.
I’m really glad you shared this because if nothing else, I feel less alone in feeling this way. I really want to find my positivity again, and I hope you are able to get yours back soon.
Hi Judith! I’m sorry your recent marathon did not go the way you had hoped, but those tough races are always the ones that teach us the most and help make us stronger. Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. Here’s to both finding our mojo again 🙂 xo
I’m with Judith. It is a tad refreshing to hear I am not along (check out my update today!). I find myself in a rut and I am 6 weeks out from my first marathon. Feeling really nervous. I think part of my issue is that I put a lot of pressure on myself when I am training, because when I am not training for anything my runs are so much faster and more enjoyable. But, I love the thrill of signing up for races. Quite the contradiction. Good luck – I am sure you will be back to yourself in no time!
Katie, Good luck with the rest of your training for your marathon. The first one is just about finishing and enjoying the experience, so try not to put any unneeded pressure on yourself. Try to enjoy those miles, smile and have fun! Can’t wait to hear how it goes for you. xoxo
I’ve definitely had bad runs, although I’m far too new to the sport to have had a streak of them – being only five months in! But my advice is to remember that we do this for fun – running should be enjoyable rather than a slog to constantly get better times. Take all the rest that your body / mind needs as we have to look after our minds as well as our bodies! And concentrate on something other than the time when you run. Ie the wonderful feel of sun on your skin rather than thinking argh I’m so slow running in hot weather!
Great advice Alice 🙂
Oh I feel ya! I have felt burnout since February (which is an embarassingly long time). Like you, there is so much on my plate. It’s hard to fully committ when life is chaotic. I’ve also felt like I’ve been “training” forever! I needed a break and a much longer on than I anticipated. I wasn’t dedicated to training (aka my “training” for my half marathon this weekend was minimal) and my heart wasn’t in it.
It sounds like you’re ready to focus and committ and you also sound determined. Can’t go wrong there!! 🙂
Karen @karenlovestorun
Thank you for sharing this! It’s so refreshing to read and know that other people who are amazing athletes experience this same “down”. Finding the motivation again can be hard but just keeping trying and plugging away. It will take awhile but then suddenly you’ll have one of those runs again and it will be like the down never happened.
Thanks so much Maddison 🙂 xoxo
If I feel burned out with running, I just stop forcing myself to do it and find something else to replace it. Soon enough, I will miss running again and want to get back into it
I know that feeling very well. It’s like hitting the wall in a marathon.
I do believe that those burnouts are a sign that something might have gone wrong. Too much training? Too little rest? Too much speed work? Too many unnecessary kilometers?
Personally, in hindsight all my down phases were sign posts to restructure my training.
Thanks for sharing your feelings.
welcome to my last 5 months inside my head. i feel out of shape, running has been a priority, and i’ve watched my times get slower and slower (as they should with not much running)
I think we’re all motivated by different things, and for me, until I can find what motivates me to get better, not much will change.
Glad you’re able to find your place again and get back on track !!!
I’ve had some pretty crappy runs lately too. I ended my spring season on a high note but now every time I run I get completely wiped out- like my body has never run a mile. What?! Hoping it’s just a glitch and lack of food or something.
Oh man are we simpatico! I think you were listening to your body unconsciously, if that makes sense. You need the break and coming back to training just as it gets hot again is never any fun. Just allow yourself to have easy days when it’s a million degrees out and schedule those hard run for the AM if you can (that’s what I am trying to do this summer!). You’ll be back and ready before you know it. Go get em!
Perfect timing on this article! I have been struggling with motivation all spring (recovering from an appendectomy, I lost all of my fitness fast, coupled with the record cold in Chicago, its been hard to get out the door). I have 1 month until Chicago Triathlon and Chicago Marathon training starts, and need to get back on track! It’s nice to see others going through the same ups and downs!
Hi Sara! It looks like many of us are going through the same thing. Good luck with your last few weeks of training for your two upcoming races. You will be great! xo
I’m struggling right now too. It’s not a physical struggle, but mental. I’m mentally burned out and I’m still 2 weeks away from my goal race. I’m trying to figure out how to keep running without forcing it AND keep my confidence up for my race. It’s definitely challenging right now.
I see this type of post at least once a week…AND I, myself, have wanted to write this on multiple occasions. The ebbs and flows of being a runner are real…and it’s how we get out of the funk and remember the good runs! Best of luck on your training and I always to remember one of my fave running quotes. Run Long. Run Hard. But never out run your love for running! Okay, that’s not verbatim, but it’s close enough!
I LOVE your running quote Ganeeban! Thanks so much for sharing it with me. xoxo
Did you jump right into my head for this post? I feel ya… at least we’ll be able to comfort each other no matter what the outcome during Seattle’s RNR 🙂
LOL! Yes, we’ll have fun for sure if nothing else. Can’t wait to see you in a few short weeks.
We have all been there and we will (unfortunately) all probably be back there at some point too. It really sucks, but it will get better and it sounds like you are motivated to get after it. What has worked for me in the past is to take a break (either a total break or just a drastic reduction in mileage) and going on runs where I know I will have success – going at the best time of day for me, going when I am already in a good mood (nothing is worst than a bad run when you were already in a bad mood!), going short, etc. Good luck!
You’re experience is SO relatable to the end of 2013 for me! After my goal 50 miler, It took a long time for me to get back to the point of getting that “mojo” back. I had to come to terms with the fact that I was just burned out from back to back training for long races. After only racing shorter distances in 2014 thus far, and drastically reducing weekly training mileage (like in half) I finally am EXCITED about
marathon training again.
Good luck with getting your mojo back, I’m sure you’ll find it soon. Don’t forget to rest! 🙂
I have to say that your words are all to often how I feel. I have some weeks that are great then I have weeks that are just downright pitiful. Recently with work, starting a business and kids not sleeping (enter me not waking up), I have had a really hard time getting in my runs. To top it off I have done almost no Core work and No Strength Training. We all have our downs and you have been training and working really hard for a long time. Everyone’s body and mind react differently to new situations. With travel and a new job you have a lot of new stuff going on and this may just be your brain saying I need a break. You are stronger than you think you are and such a refreshing inspiration that even a little break doesn’t define you. It is hard to keep up with all the intense training forever. I have found that I had to take a step back from blogging a bit as well as staying connected through social media because with everything else that was just what got put on the back burner. Running is just the same. The time will come that you can jump back into the intense training but you don’t want to get to a place where it is more of a hassle and ends up being work and not fun. Because in the end it still has to be fun and enjoyable not a chore. You are extremely driven and motivated and I know you will get back to where you want to be. Push those bad thoughts away and know they are there just to distract you. Will be sending good running thoughts your way! You’ll rock it at RNR Seattle too!
Lacy, Thank you for your thoughtful and insightful words. They mean a lot to me. It sounds like we have been going through some of the same stuff. We’ll get back to it all together. xoxo
in the many years of running/triathlons ahead of you…it’s just a bump in the road. I try and remind myself that every day can’t be a good day, and it makes you really appreciate the good ones. Hopefully both of our schedules will slow down soon!! I’m not traveling as much in june!
Thank you friend! Definitely hope to see you and run with you soon (if I can keep up) 🙂 xo
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As someone currently in a running slump, I totally get this.Running is full of highs and lows, stick out the lows and the highs will be that much sweeter.
Great words and I love this advice!!! Thank you for sharing. Good luck with getting out of your slump too 🙂
This is totally my life right now with my tri life! I am doing all the work and I feel like I am getting nothing out of it! I am totally in a mentally bad place! I am super sad about it and need to snap out of it quick!
I just need to take action and stop bitching!! 🙂
Oh, Leslie! I’m sorry to hear about how you are feeling right now. You are getting close to your race and I know everything will fall into place for Whistler. I’ll be thinking about you! xoxo
Sometimes when we can’t commit ourselves to training there is a good reason for it. Either because we simply can’t (work, injury, burn out, etc.) or sometimes we simply don’t want to. I have been beating myself up about not doing a good job with tri training. I felt so GUILTY about it. Well, the race ended up getting canceled and it wasn’t until it was canceled that I realized that I really didn’t want to do the race anyway. I was perfectly happy focusing on just running. Don’t beat yourself up about these things. Racing, training, it is all supposed to be fun. Listen to your body and your heart and do what is right for you. You will get back into your tri training groove when the time is right.