Why has it stopped being fun?

[Lpj7273]

So week 1 and 2 I loved it, went through the runs well and enjoyed every minute of it. W3R1 the same. Yesterday I finished W3R3 and had to drag myself through it. Completed but mentally I had spent the entire day talking myself out it. Any tips to get that happy feeling back?

[SC1472 Graduate]

There are good runs and bad runs and there is no reason behind it but sometimes it may be because you are slightly under the weather or coming down with something.

At this stage, put it behind you, you completed the run so have your rest day and then get out there for the next run. Enjoy the challenge of another run, take a different route look at different scenery.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Some you win....and each one does have it' purpose.... There are loads of reasons why it felt a bit... flat ..... you may have felt under par, lack of sleep, weather, life generally ... maybe a change of route too could help ?

Focus on what is around you... look around...enjoy everything about the run..Any chance you could run earlier... that may give you a buzz...?

What about some magic words to help you... mine, as all my friends know are... ( altogether now) Slow and steady, slow and steady!!! It works for me...

Think of something to get you there.. Gonna do it, gonna do it or getting fitter, getting fitter or Floss will get, me Floss will get me..

Slow down, take a brisk warm up walk and head into Week 4 Run 1, and let your imagination take you through and who knows, that happy feeling which is hiding, may just pop up again

[Jules2246 Graduate]

It happens apparently. I fell in love from week 1 and literally couldnt wait for my next run day..then week 3 run 3 came around and it was so bad. Mentally and physically it was tough and my body felt like a lead weight. I waited 3 days and did the run again and it was great! Bad runs happen i really hope you get back on it and your next one is ok.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Running can affect all parts of your life and conversely all other parts of your life can affect your running.

Your diet and hydration, the degree to which you are well rested as well as your mental approach are all major factors in how good a run is likely to be. Add the weather and environment as well other more personal factors into the equation and the complexities become clear. Professional sports people work on percentages.......trying to control every variable to the nth degree in an effort to eliminate anything that may detrimentally affect their performance. Most of us don't have the luxury of that approach, but an awareness of all those things can keep those duff runs as a rare occurrence.

Every run is training for the next one..........take the positives, move on.

[Hidden]

I always found the first run of the first few weeks gave me the biggest boost as it was the longest I had ever run. The second two are just repeats. So go into the new week looking forward to a new achievement and you will feel great.

[Hidden]

Everything these wonderful people have said and more. We have ups and downs, but I think looking at your reasons for starting the plan, often provide the reasons for continuing on it. I really don't think anyone of us runners (and yes you are a runner) signed up on a whim. You are gutsy, you've taken it this far and love often creeps up on you in little ways, maybe one day it's the sun or a breeze, or someone you smile at on the run. Allow the love back in and funnily enough that really means doing another run. Give your running love a chance, you know and we all know you won't regret it.

[Lpj7273]

Thanks everyone. Got back at today in W4R1 and it was good. Love this forum. Keeps me going. Have a great weekend all.