Loosing Motivation

[Zanzibar4]

Hi havent posted in a while hope everyine is well and enjoying the running. I am struggling a bit to get out there I was doing ok running three times a week but cant seem to find my motivation. I think whats happened is I was focusing too much on improving my time and as I havent progressed much I have decided to sulk about it. Ridiculous behaviour really for a 47 year old woman but there it is so sorry for the rant will get out later and get over myself and have a great run hopefully. 👍

[Jailbird Graduate]

Yep, I'm feeling exactly the same! In fact I seem to be getting slower. I've taken a week off in the hope of rebooting myself and to rest a niggling twinge in my lower back. I think the prospect of darker days isn't helping. Any tips or advice from others - How to get the mojo back?

[Tasha99 Graduate]

Moving up your distance will improve your pace without speed training (I hate it) - you could go on the bridge to 10k forum. Have you tried parkrun - it’s absolutely brilliant - especially if you go every week and start meeting new friends. How about signing up to races? There are several websites where you can sign up to running a total distance over a month for a medal for a quite cheap fee. I just did August. Here’s the link - it’s a good motivator.

raceatyourpace.co.uk/running/

[Zanzibar4 Graduate in reply to Tasha99]

Thanks Tasha99 for the advice I might give the Parkrun a go and see if that helps 👍

[Tasha99 Graduate in reply to Zanzibar4]

It’s fab! I love it - you get a tshirt once you’ve done 50 runs. Don’t forget your barcode 👌🏽

[Granspeed Graduate]

I am a true tortoise and don’t really expect to improve my pace much. But I’ve found it fun to extend my time of running so I can use new routes, which I also like. To get a bit of structure and not push too much to quickly, I (sort of) followed the Magic Plan over on Bridge to 10 k. There’s a version for extending time as well as the distance-based one that focuses on 10k. The time one focuses on getting up to an hour. There are 3 runs a week, short, medium and longer. And you can do Parkrun as part of it. Might be worth a try. 😄

[Zanzibar4 Graduate in reply to Granspeed]

Thanks Granspeed I looked at the Magic Plan a while back and thought I would need to be running 5k in under 30 mins to keep up. So running for longer times seems a lot easier than I was thinking. My PB on 5k is 38 mins and it takes everything I have to finish. Will definitely look at the Magic Plan again give it a go thanks again just having a bit of a moan will eventually snap out of it the sooner the better😀

[Granspeed Graduate in reply to Zanzibar4]

We all get these dips. Not to worry. This is the place to come to see how others have tried to figure it out. 😊 My 5K is still about 40 mins, but I love running longer better than quicker!

[BaddieThePirate Graduate in reply to Zanzibar4]

You can do distance. Most of us can't do 5km in 30mins. I certainly can't yet. It's a goal for the future though 😀

[Zanzibar4 Graduate in reply to BaddieThePirate]

Thanks your so right I know I just got a bit carried away with the idea of running fast. Running at all is amazing I need to chill out a bit I think.

[Tulipcat Graduate]

...if you’re a gamer, and like horror, you could try Zombies, Run - it’s an app that makes you the runner in a deadly mission to save the world! And if it scares you your pace might improve as you imagine those zombie critters behind you!

[Couchfunky Graduate in reply to Tulipcat]

That sounds mad! Gotta look that one up!

[Tulipcat Graduate in reply to Couchfunky]

Very creepy at dusk in the woods!

[Couchfunky Graduate in reply to Tulipcat]

I’m downloading it now!

[mrrun Graduate]

I find quest for 'speed' a bit odd. None of us will ever make it into record books and fast running can improve your chances of getting injured, and then what do you do?! Slow running makes you stronger and improves your stamina and cardio. Fast running, unless you are a trained pro, makes you look as if you are running away from a mad dog. People tend to try and run faster because that other guy is faster than us. The truth is, that other guy is different, we are all different and comparing us with each other makes even less sense than running at full tilt. However, if anyone is interested to actually run really fast - here's you target: 12:37.35! That's Kenenisa Bekele's World 5K record. Now, that's what l call fast.

[Buddy34 Graduate]

Just go out and enjoy running. I think if you start really focusing on distance, pace time etc. You are going to put yourself under pressure. Go out later and come back and tell us you had a great run 😊😊

[CookieM Graduate]

Why not try mixing it up a bit? Trying out different routes, running for different amounts of time (nothing wrong with a 20 or 25 minute run), or listening to something different?

I would also agree with everyone else who has suggested trying Parkrun. Although I haven't run it all yet, I have been a few times and it is a good way to make friends!

Above all, just enjoy going "out for a run" with no pressure to get to a certain time or distance! That's what I'm trying to do at the moment!!

[2Tired2Run Graduate]

Love your insightful honesty and I hope your run was good today and you're on your way to getting your mojo back.

[Zanzibar4 Graduate]

Thanks everyone for all the motivation much appreciated. I finally went out again and had a nice run ran for 2.5k and it felt like a warm up went nice and slow and really enjoyed it. I have my barcodes printed and will try a Parkrun near me nxt Sat morning. As I run mostly to unwind and manage stress I think Ill give the zombies a miss for now 😁 Although my sons would totally love that App thanks Tulipcat Love and Light everyone Happy Running all 💕