The Running Slump
Ok. So. I’m in a slump with running. Talking with some of my running friends, I discovered that this is something that they’ve experienced too at some point in their running life. For some, they began to notice how difficult it was to even motivate themselves to just lace up their running shoes for a jog with friends. For others, they mourned the loss of the joy that running used to bring to them. For me, I was just burned out on sticking with a running regimen for 12 or more weeks to achieve my training goals in preparation for a half marathon. This burnout and loss of motivation in running that I too was experiencing led me on a quest to discover what can be done to regain the joy in a beloved activity. Read on to discover some techniques that you can put to use to overcome your running slump.
My empty training calendar waiting to be filled in for the next goal race.
Take a Break
In my recent slump, I didn’t have a choice but to rest. Covid made that decision easy for me as I had no energy for anything other than watching TV, sleeping, and, if I had the brain power, read. Even without the extreme Covid rest motivator, it is totally okay to take some recovery time and not do anything for a few days. The rest will help heal your body, and you’ll be refreshed to tackle your training goals.
I give you permission to rest and rediscover your love of running!
Focus on Cross Training
I’m one of those “crazy” runners that only wants to run. I don’t really have a cross training activity that I enjoy. Ok. Fine. Perhaps I just haven’t found that activity yet. Even so, swapping runs with a bike ride, swim, or maybe just a walk provides your mind and body with a fun alternative that may help take enough pressure off of running performance. For me, I’ll still get out there and walk, but will add some intensity to my strength training routines; perhaps a few more reps or go up a bit in weight.
Just Run for Fun
I hear you saying to me, “Running isn’t fun anymore, that’s why we’re in the slump.” Right?! Sure, but are all of our training runs fun? Do you really enjoy those sprints or hill repeats each week? What if you swapped out a few of the training runs and, instead, you simply put on your shoes with no mileage or time goal and you just ran for the fun of it? Go somewhere new; hit the trails; brought the dog or kid along; and just said to yourself – “Shoes are on, let’s go!” – and you just went to focus on your gratitude for the ability to move, the beauty in your surroundings, the sound of your breath in your lungs. There are just a few of the wonderful sights, sounds, and feelings that the act of running brings us.
(Re)Find Your Why
I think the biggest cause of my slump had to do with my purpose. Why? Why do I run? I was running to train for a goal race. This is a fine “why”, but what happens after running the race? What is the next why? Sure, I can sign up for another race, but I’m missing the bigger picture or the ultimate why. I could look intrinsically for this motivation. Perhaps for better fitness or stress reduction. While these are excellent why’s to run, they have only been temporary motivators for me in the past. External motivators work best for me and, after some soul searching, I believe that my ultimate why is to provide inspiration and be a role model for my daughter. I want her to see a strong woman who sets goals and achieves them with consistent, hard work.
To find your ultimate why, take some time to think about these questions and answer them honestly:
I want to run … ?
Running is important to me … ?
Running makes me feel … ?
Imagine what you want your life to look like in a year, in 5 years, in 20 years; why you want it to look that way; and then, what steps can you take to get yourself there?
Take a listen to episode 002 of our podcast in which we discuss the running slump and additional ways to get out and moving again.
