I seem to be unable to motivate myself to run. I think I have the reverse problem from the rest of society…as soon as I sign up for a race I lose all inspiration to train. I’m OCD enough to eke out some willpower, but forced running is not fun running.
I know myself, so I know the difference between being bored with my running route and being bored with running in any form.
Boredom is not my problem. Motivation is. I’m missing my running mojo.
The difference between the old Elise and the person I am today is how I have reacted to my lack of inspiration. In the past I would have dragged myself to the gym, kicking and screaming, and muddled through some half-ass workout. Not fun. Not productive.
All this does is create and reinforce negative associations with exercise. For an exercise lover like myself, this is less than ideal.
I really have to learn to cut myself some slack and listen to my body. Sometimes it comes so naturally, but sometimes my brain fights with my heart over the end goal. Silly Elise, don’t you realize you get no endorphins from a forced routine!?! It’s just so second nature to schedule runs into my days off work that it’s become a chore as opposed to a treat.
Now I’m not claiming I’m not discouraged by the fitness fatigue that has cast a shadow over me, but I’m also aware that it’s temporary. I have always enjoyed running, and I know I will continue to enjoy it, so taking a break shouldn’t feel so final…it’s not “the end of days” I’m dealing with!
Here are the two biggest pitfalls I’m already mindful of (having dealt with them in the past):
- The comparison trap – whether it’s measuring myself up to pro athletes, friends, fellow bloggers, whoever – it’s not allowed. You do you, I do me.
- The all-or-none approach. I don’t know why but it’s pretty easy to go from running 7 days a week to 0 days a week. Balance is such a beast.
So, the dilemma is as follows: how do I find the fine line between pushing myself in a good way and pushing myself in a bad way?
I don’t have an answer yet, but here’s what I am currently up to.
For one thing, I started doing more yoga. Introspection is always a good thing for me. So is seeking inner peace.
I’m still in love with riding my bike, so cycling has taken over as my primary activity. I used to go on rides once a week, but I predict that will increase.
I’m working on improving my golf game.
Being ok with rest days. Somehow I’ve attached a negative association with doing nothing. Lazy sloth. As Kyle would say, my standards are insanely high, so even though I still need to remind myself of this, deep down I know it. Plus, I’m in shape, so it’s not like I’m a Biggest Loser contestant with an excuse worth ignoring.
Anyway, this rambling has gone on long enough. Believe it or not, Kyle and I are supposed to run a half marathon in less than a month. And yet, I can’t recall the last time I ran over 5 consecutive miles. Needless to say, I have zero expectations for the race. I know for a fact I won’t be anywhere close to my former times, but I’m not going to think about that, lest I fall victim to the comparison trap.
I’ll tell you where I’m NOT missing motivation, and that’s the kitchen.
I have to make a concerted effort to not mention how much I LOVE our new place every five seconds of the day. Seriously, it’s awesome.
Everything is bigger and better.
Oatmeal even tastes better in our new place. Ok, I’m kidding, it’s not a magical house.
Tell me one non-exercise, non-blogging extracurricular activity you do?
I watch a lot of reality television! Sitting on the couch as the evening winds down with some Kardashians or Housewives is my happy place!
We’ve been playing in a rec dodgeball league, which is so much fun! I don’t really consider it exercise because I’m not very good and usually get out pretty quickly… and we follow up games with a beer or two.
Well, one of my serious “issues” is overexercising/exercise addiction, but I can seriously relate to your current dilemma. Sometimes it’s just a temporary tamping of that spark, and the worst thing you can do is stress about it and overanalyze the feelings. You’re not lazy, you know this. It’s just a sign you need a break…and possibly some more couch time (I wrote a post on this in which I called it “Conserving Awesomeness,” not laziness.)
Anyway, I love walking. Not for the exercise necessarily, but for the calming rhythm of the steps and the nature aspect. Crosswords also get me thinking, as does anything related to food. Shocking, I know…
Reading! There is almost NOTHING I love more than getting lost in a really good book. Love, love, love it!
I love to read! Books can take you so many places, and are great for your mind too.
Really liked the line about not associating exercise with negative emotions – such a good thing to remember for those slumps!
lol, my biggest non-exercise activity is law school… Basically running is my escape from law school. But I guess I also love to read! I’ve been plowing through books on the bus to and from school, I’m a big fan of any kind of fiction novel! I just finished the Maze Runner series which was pretty interesting and certainly kept my attention!
Hi! Well… I used to run in high school & college, then injured my knees, so I got into cycling & yoga. Very deep into yoga, in fact, for 12 years. But about a year ago, as we were thinking of ways of slimming down for our upcoming wedding, my husband & I started walking. At first, it was all about getting up the endurance to walk 40-45 miles a week. But then i discovered power walking. Now, I don’t do the little “wiggle” only because I don’t have a coach & I’m not really sure what to do, but I do put my arms up & walk the shit out of my route! I do 5 miles every morning with a friend of mine, and our speed is 11:30/mile. It’s not quite competitive, but it feels good to sometimes pass joggers at that speed… It’s fast, it’s tiring, it’s cardio, but we can still talk our little hearts out. Sometimes I run when I’m by myself (like yesterday) but have to be so careful about my knees that it can sap the fun out of it.
I guess what I’m suggesting is that you try some power walking on days you feel you “should” run. It’s challenging, and it’s great exercise, and it will make you long for running because you’ll keep telling yourself “if I just take a little ‘skip’ I’ll be running. Do it…. HERE!” If you can find someone to go with you, even if you can recruit your husband, just to walk some brisk miles together (13-15 minute miles) you’ll see the benefits!
My yoga has really fallen by the wayside, which makes me really sad. In my 12 years of yoga, I got very deep into Ashtanga, even progressed to the 2nd series and was considering becoming certified to teach. But, I’m an obsessive personality and I can’t focus on more than one exercise at a time. As much as yoga soothed my crazy soul during my first terrible marriage & upsetting divorce, it hasn’t been holding my attention in the last year. I miss it, but when I’ve tried to sit down to do it, I realize that my legs have transformed from bendy stretchy partners in yoga, but to fast twitch high energy machines. I could tell you stories about my divorce and what happened to my body during that time, so the walking/running now has been a big improvement for me.
Good luck!! And you have tons of people behind you in this quest!
I would love to read more about the house! How you organize your pantry etc. Oh, and my biggest thing right now is reading. I’m definitely go through phases with books, but right now I’m on a one-a-day-schedule, and I’m loving it so much.
Reading crappy popular fiction…oh, and old Law and Order episodes. In all seriousness though, I’m a very social person, so I go out to a lot of local music events and to see comedians 🙂
Recently started listening to audio books while driving. Wasn’t sure I would be able to focus enough (my brain likes to wander) but I’m addicted now. Just make sure the person reading is good…will make or break the experience. I also like to try new recipes, usually desserty things, but try to limit to just weekends since I tend to shovel half the product in my mouth before the oven door swings shut… 🙂
My workout mojo has vamoosed. Maybe it’s playing hookie with yours.
Girl, I totally understand how you feel about the fine line. When I have moments like that I just like to remind myself how great and satisfied I feel after a challenging workout or run. You never regret getting up and moving, no matter how tough it was. Also I think it is good to have encouraging friends that motivate you…like a running group or even group fitness classes. I like to rely on these things to stay motivated.
One non blogging, non working out thing I like to do is watching mindless reality television. Also cooking. Cooking is such great therapy. 🙂
Thanks for talking about this. I have been in a running slump most of the winter. It filled me with anxiety as I could not imagine a day without a run. But I just wasn’t feeling it, didn’t want to and didn’t go. I think it’s right to go with what your body feels though. The weather improved here recently and I had a great run last week. I went against my bodies wishes two days ago and forced a run, hurting my knee. So problem solved. Go with what your body wants. I love Pilates and do that a few times a week. It feels good, makes you feel strong and relaxed. I know running fever will return, but love to hear others facing the same dilemma! I needed to hear it from others!
I find yoga to be a great “break” from running as well. I add it into my week in between a couple of days of running. The stretch from yoga feels great, the inner zen though is sometimes harder to master!
My boyfriend and I do lots of crafts– He likes to make wallets; I like to make magnets. We both like to draw.
This is kind of exercise-y, but I love to hula-hoop too! It’s a great way to get fresh air and enjoy a nice day. On sunny weekends, my friends and I will sip mimosas outside and hoop. Not bad, not bad 🙂
As for running, whenever I get in a slump I force myself to start the run but then simply allow myself to walk at any point during the run. Knowing that I can just walk any time makes me hate running a bit less, and before I know it I’ve done the whole run and fallen back in love with it again.
I totally feel you on the motivation thing. I’ve had trouble getting my activity level back to where I want it to be, and I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with running.
I recently came across an app called “Zombies, run!” where it kind of turns the running into a game where zombies are chasing you. I just downloaded it, but haven’t been able to test it yet. I’ve heard great things, so I’m super excited to get out there…if only the weather would cooperate!
I just found your blog a couple of weeks ago. I have IBS too so I really love your insights on digestive problems.
To answer your question, I read. I read a lot. I have a toddler so I don’t get to read as much as before back in the day.
I started the c25k. I don’t enjoy working out, I’m not consistent with it, but I wanted a workout that is NOT calorie goal-oriented. I am on week 2 and sure don’t consider myself a runner. But I find myself comparing my running to my friends who run AND do yogalates and zumba. It’s all I can do to run three days a week with this program.
This post was helpful. Thanks!
Elise,
I totally understand and can empathize with not feeling into running sometimes. I have always been a runner, but I definitely have gone through phases in time where I’ve “burnt” out on running or just not been into it, and the best thing I did was running less because when I finally got back to it, I was loving it and so excited. I did struggle with guilt at the time about not running, and I would have irrational worries that I was going to get super out of shape and never be as good of a runner if I stopped running, but I obviously did other forms of exercise that I enjoyed more, and I am running just as much at my peaks of training now as I had prior to some of my “running breaks.” Feeling guilty is normal, but it’s also good to acknowledge the guilt, and also let go of it because you know better than your guilt; you know that one day you will get back to running and love it when you do!
Even pro runners and ultramarathoners such as Scott Jurek schedule entire months “Off” from running in order to physically and mentally recover from times of running. If the pros are doing it I think there must be some legitimacy to it ……… 😉
It is so great that you are listening to your body, because it took me awhile to stop fighting my urge to take time off from running when I felt sick of it, but it is always worth it in the end!
Best,
Mina
i’ve been in a big old exercise rut since i started working full-time after grad school. i congratulate myself on taking long walks and try not to beat myself up over it. i may not have the firmest buns, but i know i’m healthy. now that the weather is warming up, i find myself more willing to work out. anyways, my hobbies are reading and baking.
My favorite non-exercise activity right now is learning to play the viola! I AM IN LOVE WITH THE VIOLA! I have always been a winds player, and I am loving the heart-centered (literally) vibrations when I play viola. I am not any good yet, of course, but as in any activity that requires practice, I am definitely seeing improvement!
My problem lately with exercise has been fatigue – I like to get up super early (a bit before 5 a.m.) so that I can ride my bike indoors on a trainer before getting ready to go teach. It makes my day better when I do. But I have been so tired lately that it is hard to get up… I need to go to bed earlier, and I really struggle with that!!!
I can totally relate to how your feeling right now, but mine’s a little different. I feel like my body was begging for some rest and I just wouldn’t give in (I can be so stubborn), but finally my body had enough I guess and I ended up fracturing a rib while I was at the gym about 5 days ago. So I’ve gone from crazy exercise fiend to being confided to a couch ALL DAY, literally hurts to breathe. Now that it’s been a couple of days I can see I was really hurting my body not helping it. So even though I am doing no activity whatsoever it still is hard, but I’m not going to die and I’ve started to realize how I really had high expectations as far as activity goes. It’s sad I would rather have no period or bad bone health than take a couple days off exercise. Sorry for the long post! I love your blog by the way, it’s definitely my favourite to read! 🙂
This is such a great post. It’s something I’ve been dealing with a lot recently too. I’m finally learning to listen to my body and take days off from working out when I need them. Forcing myself through a workout and spending the entire time miserable has no benefits. I’ve really been focusing on living life and finding other things that I enjoy- yoga being the most prominent. I’ve fallen in love with it.
Other than that, I’ve been doing a lot of writing, knitting (dork!), reading, and socializing in my spare time. I’m having so much fun and I’ve found that my workouts are better because of it!
I hope you get your running mojo back- I’m sure you will! Especially once you’re completely settled into your new place (:
I sew. Misty clothes, my clothes, stuff for the house. My fabric collection is out of control, can’t keep up!
I read and I cook! Mostly, my reading is of the science-y, non-fiction variety, but I’d like to get more into fiction. I think it would balance all this PhD reading.
I have lost my running mojo lately too. I blame it on the weather (it’s been 90-100F or more for the better part of 5 months), so I am hoping now that we are entering autumn in the southern hemisphere I will get it back! I generally just focus more on weight training when these running slumps occur. I tend to not really force it, as I think running breaks are good for the body and soul. There’s so much else out there other than running – or any exercise, really! And doing more yoga and cycling sounds like a good plan to me. Yoga for some relaxation and flexibility and cycling to enjoy the great outdoors….seems like a nice balance. And I am sure your running mojo will come back naturally with time.
Oh girl, I hear you! I’m an opera singer by profession (an opera singer with a day job, like most 20-something perfrmers), so I need extracurricular activities outside of that, lest I go insane. This month alone, I’m enrolled in guitar class, French lessons… and soon, sewing lessons so I can finally make my own clothes! All that in addition to auditions/work/exercise/life in general… I find that when I’m actively doing something that I KNOW I don’t have to do, I finally, finally chill out.
Listening to your body and actually doing what its trying to tell you can be a challenge.. and it is true for me that things go in cycles. I know that not every workout is going to be awesome- but if there are a few really crapy ones in a row where I struggle more than usual- I take that as a sign to take a break- but because I teach fitness/yoga classes I get forced into doing them sometimes anyway… and thats just how it goes when that is your life- haha! in those cases I try to use my down time in between to rest, nap or whatever…and I always make sure I’m getting enough good food (and I try to hydrate though that is so much harder for me) in my body so it can repair.
I’m sitting at my desk at work (yes, I’m reading blogs at work…I guess no employee of the month for me :)) and I’m alreading dreading the 4 mile run I have planned for my lunch hour. I LOVE running (and exercising in general) but I have been in a slump as well. I have a half marathon on April 22nd, and I definitely think part of my problem is that I feel obligated to run. I haven’t had the chance to run since Sunday and I have been beating myself up over it all week. That’s just not how living a healthy, fit life is supposed to feel. I keep thinking I will just stop registering for races, but I also really like to have a training plan on my fridge and something to work towards. So, it’s a double-edged sword for me. I really don’t know how to rememdy it. I guess I just have to stop putting so much pressure on myself. I have been running long enough and consistently enough that I know I’ll be able to finish the half marathon…it might not be my best time and I might not feel great after, but I can do it.
I think I really need to mix it up in terms of exercise and add some new stuff to my routine. Yoga is at the top of my list. I do have to say, though, that reading through all of these comments is making me feel better. I’m glad to know that I’m not the only one in a major exercise rut. Here’s hoping we all find our mojo again. Good luck!
Elise- I just found HHH a couple days ago. I looove your blog. I am a “flexitarian” (only eat meat a few times a month), although I am so close to vegetarianism it seems silly to not just give up meat! I love your recipes and plan on making some soon.
This post is great, I struggle with running/motivation as well. I too compare myself to others as a way to motivate.
The two activities I wanted to share with you that I enjoy, reading–now that I’m done with college I read every day, I love it! You can escape into this fantasy land (it it’s fiction) or learn something new! Also, I love to sew! I’m not some kind of pro or anything, just simple projects: skirts, scarves, baby burp rags, etc. Another fun hobby I enjoyed but haven’t put much time into lately- jewelry making! FUN and great for gifts.
Thanks for your inspiration. I look forward to your posts!
Read! It’s perfect and goes well with oatmeal. 😉