I’ve hit an all time low with motivation for running.
My Brighton Half Marathon race pack arrived today and it didn’t inspire me as much as it should have.
I don’t know what’s wrong.
When my morale is low like this I try to pull myself out of my rut in the following ways.
- I think of future races and fun times – Even though the Brighton Half Marathon is only three weeks away it feels like an eternity with the dark mornings and excitement. I can find excitement and joy thinking back to my previous races. I need to fuel myself with those memories and stop wallowing in the bad weather.
- I recognise my success and attempt to build upon it – I haven’t been progressing that much pace-wise but I have been getting a few seconds faster per mile and I’m able to sustain that over a longer distance. For some reason I still feel like a failure for not improving dramatically. I need to take the positives to heart and to stop concentrating solely on the negatives. But more importantly I need to face up to my failures and learn from the mistakes. I’m not afraid to fuck up anymore, it’s just I’m not willing to address my weaknesses which is self-defeating.
- I try to get realistic about my marathon training programme. - I’ve accepted that I will only run 4 times per week and that getting up at 5am every morning is counter productive. When I don’t get up, then I feel bad about being weak of character and/or lazy. Realistically I only need to run 4 times per week in marathon training. 2 x 8 milers, 1 x 10 miler and 1 x 15 miler+ from now until Paris will see me through the marathon. I need to stop setting myself up for disappointment and to use my rest days for rest.
- I’ve accepted that my motivation for running will come and go - When your motivation is low you don’t magically stop being a runner. This week I’ve been eating more junk food than usual and the inspiration for running just hasn’t been there. In contrast, last week I felt really charged and positive about the future. My body hasn’t changed in that time, I’ve just bought into a negative mindset. To give an example, yesterday I woke up in a bad mood and actively (if unconsciously) sought out other calamities to intensify my foul mood. I was thinking about someone I hated and tripped on an uneven piece of pavement and fucking raged at it. I was standing there in the middle of Belfast shaking my fist at stone. It was if I thought it could hear me calling it a “fucking cunt!”. I did not hurt the pavement, I was only hurting myself by holding onto resentment.
- I write about my running problems here – Running isn’t all sunshine, lollipops and PB’s. I try to write about my failures and my triumphs and I always seem to get good advice and support from you all regardless of my outlook! Thanks for continuing to read!
Related running posts:
- My Race Pack For The Great North Run 2012 Arrived Today
- No Motivation To Run Anymore – That Awful Feeling Of Malaise On Sunday
- Entering Races Like Half Marathons Provides Daily Long Distance Running Motivation!
- Ran My First Half Marathon Of 2012 In Training Today
- No Motivation To Run, Exercise Or Follow The Weight Watchers Online ProPoints Plan Today.
by Matt the Angry Jogger
Matt lost 70lbs through running and has ran 13 half marathons and 4 full ones. He hates health freaks with a fucking passion and loves cheese and cider.
I feel ya right now. I am signed up tor the biggest race of my life, a half iron distance triathlon, and I can not for the life of me get motivated. Training doesn’t truly start for a little over a week and I sm hoping I find it in me. Keep truckin’ and the motivation will come rushing back! That is what I am hanging on for! You are not alone!