This has been the fastest month of the year for me. Has September just flown by for you? I seriously can’t believe that tomorrow is October.
I’m trying hard to embrace fall but my Birkenstock are too comfortable, layering my clothing just seems to take way more time and I’m not loving how dark it is outside in the early morning and evenings now. I’ve yet to turn on my heat, blankets will do just fine for now.
Even though I’ve been given the okay to run again, I’ve done very little and feel like I almost have no interest in it! WTF, crazy, I know. First I’m training in the summer heat and loving it, then injured and cursing that I couldn’t run. And now, I’m just feeling blah about running…I need some kind of motivation people…help me out!
I did play three games of soccer last weekend which was fabulous. It was so great to be on the field. My lungs crying from all the sprinting, my legs happy when the ball was at the other end of the field and feeling every muscle in my body days after.
Oh….and I signed up for another race a few weeks back, ha ha ha! Seriously, I did it when I was still injured. I’m registered to run the 10k at Valley Harvest Marathon on Thanksgiving weekend (Canadian – Oct 9th). I paced the 10k last year and it was so much fun! However, I’m starting to think about moving down the 5k distance and taking it easy rather then push myself to do the 10k…I’m just not feeling it right now. Motivation, drive, interest – all at an extreme low. I’m also tired…so tired lately. Battling a head cold and lack of sleep are the main culprits.
The fun part is that the girls will be running the kids runs at Valley Harvest Marathon the day before my race. They LOVE this and can’t wait to run on the track again. And of course, Thanksgiving food with family …yum!! I did manage to get out for a run this week while I was away at a conference…that should be bonus points right there 😉
What’s your best motivation to go?
Any weekend plans?
What fall races are you running?
Piper's Run 
I have been dealing with a lack of motivation lately so I have been breaking my runs in half. 3 or 4 in the morning and 3 or 4 in the afternoon. Mentally it gets me through a bit better.
I wish I had time to do that right now, that would be a life saver!
My motivation has been maintaining nicely this year (though it stumbled briefly back in June when I had the early symptoms of PF rearing its ugly head). My weekend plans involve a 14-mile training run…and I’m kind of looking forward to having “just” a long run with no “time” goals to be worried about 😉
Hope your long run this weekend was great! I love when runners use the word “just” – so many meanings behind it 🙂
Sometimes you just need a break (even coming off an injury break, it’s not the same thing). Just don’t worry about it. Stay active, cross train, play soccer, run with your kids. It will come back. You just can’t force it.If you do run, try not to worry about the time or the distance. Run when it feels good, take walk breaks if you want, don’t wear a watch. Just let your body tell you what it wants to do.
THIS comment was just what I needed…thank you 🙂 I went for a great run today and hardly looked at my garmin..more for distance so I knew when to turn around. I ran, I walked and it was great!
I have had lots of motivation but sometimes my body does not cooperate with what my brain wants to do.
Exactly! I WANT to run but I physically and sometimes mentally just don’t want to run at all. I’m hoping I crawl out of that boat!
GIRL, I feel you on the birks! I’m considering buying the ones that look like clogs so my toes can stay “warm” while still in birks hahahaha
I have the clog burks too…LOVE THEM! My husband actually bought them for me when I was pregnant with our oldest – they were a life saver then and still are now. Get them!!
I’m really struggling with motivation, as I have been since I ran Big Sur. I don’t know what’s wrong with me! Nothing that a good race won’t cure..
Hoping your motivation turns around – sounds like lots of people are struggling lately!
I have been very unmotivated as well, but I am embracing it and taking some time off form running & cycling. I am still swimming quite a bit, but I needed a break from the others! Sometimes, I think we just need to step away until we miss it again 🙂
Time off running can do you good! I’m planning to get my bike on my husband’s trainer soon, so I can bike ate nights while my kids sleep (and when I’m unmotivated to run). I think stepping away sometimes is just what is needed.
My best motivation lately has been training for the NYC marathon, knowing the race is right around the corner gets me moving out the door to Run
That would be a pretty big motivator!!! Good luck!
I have a race next weekend but it’s not a goal race or something I’m even going to push for a good time. I’m physically not there with basically 6 weeks off running. However, I’m happy to be running it.
Don’t be too hard on yourself. We all go through times when we don’t want to run. I’m starting to feel that way with all my training. A break does us good. The weather changing is also a factor.
I’m running Thanksgiving weekend in Victoria.
Have a good run and just have fun. That ja my plan for the weekend.
Breaks can do us good but I feel like 5 weeks off running completely was my break, ha ha! Sounds like you are going to have a great thanksgiving weekend!!! Hope you had a great weekend!
I’ve been dealing with a lack of motivation as well, but I hope to get back at it tomorrow with a long run that I can’t miss!
I had a great run today that I’m hoping helps kick start my motivation. Hope your run went well.
I’m sorry you’re struggling with motivation. It’s so hard to get back in a groove, especially if you fall out of the habit, due to injury or life or other circumstances. I just try to keep doing as much as I safely can and that seems to keep my body’s expectations on point.
I have a bunch of fall races on tap. I’m pretty excited, and also nervous. Which is my normal pattern of emotions, I guess.
Just try to enjoy your 10K. It’s a great distance, even if you’re just out there for fun.
I was hoping to run more races this fall but dealing with injuries and kids just didn’t allow for it (and that’s okay too). I’m looking forward to my 10k next weekend and just going to enjoy it.
The shorter days definitely play with my motivation too. That’s part of why I’m glad that I already ran my fall goal race and that I’ll be running my November races with no time goal in mind.
We don’t have too many races in November – actually, I can only think of two smaller ones! These shorter days just have me wanting to relax and not run..sometimes I wonder how I used to do almost all of my running at night throughout the winter months!
I’ve been struggling with a lack of motivation recently, mostly due to the fact that I’m getting injured. Firstly, there’s the constant mental jenga and bargaining about whether or not I’ll be able to race come Sunday, but also it just plain hurts! It’s hard to get the motivation to run when you can actually feel yourself doing more damage as you go along…
Getting injured is just the pits…sure hope it’s nothing major. Fingers crossed for ya!