Hum Drum
That about says it all. I have been lurking around others' blogs, but not really concentrating on my own, because I am feeling hum drum. I have been working out, and trying to keep to my marathon training schedule, but it feels mechanized, or robotic. I haven't necessarily felt inspired lately, and I am the type of athlete that really needs to feel inspired in order to push myself harder.
Case in point: I did twelve miles (2 hours, 9 minutes) yesterday in the warm weather I have been yearning for since last October, but it was a struggle. I felt tired and achy at the end, and wondered whether I am just getting too old for this nonsense. Maybe I should just concentrate on halfs (which is a distance that I love), and sprint/olympic tris. Maybe this was just a bad long run -- but it was only twelve! What will I do come 15, 18, 20?
Right now, I am going to chalk it up as a lackluster training run, and see how it goes. I am on track, and just need to stay there. Hopefully, I can increase my motivation back up to normal levels, and get mentally psyched up for the marathon in May.
How do you get inspired, and stay that way?
Case in point: I did twelve miles (2 hours, 9 minutes) yesterday in the warm weather I have been yearning for since last October, but it was a struggle. I felt tired and achy at the end, and wondered whether I am just getting too old for this nonsense. Maybe I should just concentrate on halfs (which is a distance that I love), and sprint/olympic tris. Maybe this was just a bad long run -- but it was only twelve! What will I do come 15, 18, 20?
Right now, I am going to chalk it up as a lackluster training run, and see how it goes. I am on track, and just need to stay there. Hopefully, I can increase my motivation back up to normal levels, and get mentally psyched up for the marathon in May.
How do you get inspired, and stay that way?
15 Comments:
I'm somewhat backwards in this regard: I actually don't bother looking for external inspiration, but keep dragging myself through the workouts even when I don't feel like it.
Eventually you'll snap out of the funk, and your own progress will be inspiration enough. Plus, you'll have that mental toughness you built when forcing yourself to do those "hum drum" workouts.
Or you could just read Wil's blog...
March is rough in our neck of the woods....hang in there!!! I think sometimes I find inspiration in the most darndest places. :)
First off don't tell yourself I am just getting too old for this nonsense. You may be going through a winter time experience but a spring time experience is right around the corner. I am looking forward to aging in this multi-sport experience. One day when I turn 100 I will bike 100 miles. Find friends to workout with. Have Fun!!
Hang in there!!! Most of us go through stretches of uninspired training. Having friends to workout with helps to get me off my couch. As for inspiration, it comes in all shapes and sizes. It could be seeing flowers start to blossom or catching an awesome sunset/sunrise. I have even used a boomerang for inspiration. Don't worry you're drive will come back to you.
I have had a tough time with inspiration lately also. I am not sure what it is, but the training does not seem like any fun. Sometimes I think it is good to change things up a bit and do something different. As for the marathon training, it is never too late to change your mind, but we all know you can do it.
You're NEVER too old!!! Maybe mix it up a bit? Have roller blades? take em out for 3 or 4 hours instead of a run. Hiking trails? Run in the woods for a day or two. Mountain bike? Give it a spin away from traffic and hum drum noises. Give youself a week to just have fun and do some other stuff - remind yourself that you're totally fit and can do lots of things that you might not otherwise do if you weren't so fit...you'll be fired up to return to the regular swim/bike/run routine. I've also been HUGELY motivated by tri podcasts lately...Get Your Geek On and Simply Stu especially... You'll get your mojo back soon!!! Hang in there...
Chocolate- I know if I eat it I better go burn it.
my motivation tends to come in waves. I just have to struggle through when I am on a downslope.
you'll get through this! Especially once we start getting more than one nice day in a row!
I get motivated when I either go run a race or at least sign up for a new one. I start dreaming how I would go through miles of trails, about the course...of course, it needs constant feeding, so I sign up often enough.
Disclaimer: adult stunt, not recommended:)
I really like the long distance from trianing a marathon. Those 3 hours runs are incredible. I never run so far and so long. I also nejoy seeing how much calories i burn up in one run :D.
As Olga suggested, unless i pay up...i am not motivated..I pay up my HIM and I swim the swim distnace the next day.. :)...conincidience? I think not :D
Remember: its the hum drum workouts that allow you to determine when you've had a great workout! Hang in there - you'll get your motivation back!
I dream about completing my first marathon which always gives me a boost.
The hardest part for sure, is getting out of bed and getting started.
These blogs help as well.
I like the chocolate answer!! I really don't like training all that much, but I love the excitement of the race atmosphere. I think that's what keeps me going, knowing the race I enjoy so much will go SO much better if I've put all my miles in!
Too OLD....give me a break! You are all of what 25?
You are just having a "down" time...in a slump...you will get your attitude back where it needs to be soon...
Don't quit...we know you would never do that!
I have runs like that - particularly early on in my marathon training program but even now. Just put it down to a bad run and know that you will have good runs too.
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