Very Little Running Motivation

September 30, 2016September 30, 2016 / Anna @ Piper's Run / 26 Comments

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.

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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.

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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?

Unknown Motivation

April 6, 2016 / Anna @ Piper's Run / 13 Comments

Sometimes it can be a challenge to motivate yourself to get out and run. It’s still cold out right now (short lived winter vortex happening) and this is one thing keeping me from running outdoors. Which, if you think about it is kinda funny because I love running in the winter…with snow/ice on the ground.

Sometimes your exhausted from your day, you are feeling lazy or you don’t have anyone to go with. And sometimes you find motivation in an unknown way!

Yesterday I worked a 12 hour day. This is not normal for my normal 9-5 day but I had to travel 2 hours to a workshop and back plus I had an evening meeting. Because of that it meant that I wouldn’t get home until 8 pm. I was exhausted.

My husband had planned to get on his bike (indoor trainer) after he got the girls to bed. When I arrived at home (7:50 pm), I was exhausted and was still thinking I’d jump on the treadmill but wasn’t 100% sold on the idea.

As Saï was getting his bike gear on, I decided to put my running gear on and head down to the basement as well. I really wanted to run but I was so exhausted from my day that sitting on the couch and watching some TV sounded delightful!

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Instead, I jumped on the treadmill after being motivated by my husband. I’m not sure if he knew that he was motivating ME to run while HE biked….but he did. Thanks love.

Another 5 k done in my half marathon training.

What has motivated you lately?

Do you workout with your significant other?

Happy Hump Day!

Lack of Motivation: Building My Base Week 4 and 5

February 22, 2016February 21, 2016 / Anna @ Piper's Run / 19 Comments

Motivation to run is probably at it’s lowest point in a long time. Not sure why but for some reason I’m somewhat okay with that.

Basically, I’m focusing on building my base because soon I’ll be training for a 10k in May (I think) and Half Marathon in June. I don’t want to go into training empty – you know what I mean? I want to have maintained my fitness so that when I start those training plans I’m not struggling like I have before. Mind you last year, I trained for what would have been my 3 & 4th half marathon with a major hamstring injury.

My hamstring still isn’t 100%! What, a year or more later and it’s not better? Yes and No. You see, IF I don’t stretch properly after a run, I’m in a lot of pain so stretching is key for me. I need to get back into foam rolling regularly again too!

The first three weeks I shared my “building my base” in the same format I did with my training plans. Not this week. Since I’m catching you up on two weeks, I decided to keep it simple.

Week #4

Monday 8th: Yoga Class
Tuesday: 2k treadmill run, wasn’t feeling it.
Wednesday: Noth.ing
Thursday: Skipping & 5k treadmill run
Friday: Downhill Skiing for 2 hours by myself. (Vacation)
Saturday: Nothing.
Sunday: Skating with the family.

Week #5

Monday 15th: Skiing with the family. (Holiday)
Tuesday: Skiing with a friend. (Vacation)
Wednesday: Rest Day. Went to bed early, was exhausted.
Thursday: 5 minutes of skipping, 5k treadmill run, 50 squats
Friday: Rest Day. Just exhausted with life and wanted to go to bed early.
Saturday: Nothing. Unless shopping kid less for 3 hours counts? Seriously, my body was aching from running errands all afternoon.
Sunday: 7k treadmill run. Finally this was a great run, I felt great during the run and after. So nice to end the week with a GOOD run!

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If you missed the first three weeks you can catch up here: Week 1, Week 2, Week 3.

That’s it. I’m happy with being active in a variety of things but missing the consistency of running a lot. Really, it’s February and I can’t complain. I’ve logged more km running then last year already. I’ve been skiing three times, went to yoga twice so far and did a little skating with the family.

Though my motivation and interest in running is low….I’m still working hard at building my base…or should I say maintaining my base now.

How’s your month of February going?

Anyone else struggling like me?

What’s In A Running Photo?

November 21, 2015November 20, 2015 / Anna @ Piper's Run / 15 Comments

That’s a good question! Those who attend races know that at some point you are going to have your photo taken. We don’t always know when that’s going to happen or sometimes the camera is right in front of us. You finish your race, celebrate and then a day or two later remember a photo should be waiting.

You check your email for the notification, double check the website and BAM…..there’s your photo. Only it didn’t turn out the way you had imagined. I’ve got a handful of those – actually most of my race photo’s are horrible…ha ha! However, I recently entered a contest where you had to submit a photo of you reading Canadian Running Magazine’s recent publication. Since I have a subscription anyway…I had already read the entire thing.

The contest is for a LIFE TIME registration {Yes, you read that correctly – LIFE TIME} to Maritime Race Weekend’s Tartan Twosome (double race). This is what I submitted:

“Read Canadian Running Magazine on MRW, must start training to avoid injuries”

Piper's Run MRW Contest

Though I didn’t win the contest, I love having these photo’s taken by my running buddy! She did an amazing job…all I did was run back and forth, back and forth…back and forth 🙂 A few more for you…..