Losing my mojo.

[Pete1w]

I haven't enjoyed my last few runs. They are becoming a real chore. Is it because I'm following a designated race plan? The HM is in 6 weeks and I hope this isn't a sign that I'm not going to enjoy it. Help me get my mojo back please......

[UnfitNoMore Metric Marathon]

It’s not lost... or you wouldn’t be desperate to find it. I was listening to the Well Far podcast and they reckon running plans have a built in redundancy so not every run has to be run (think they said 85% done was the norm) so it wouldn’t hurt to just go have a fun run next time out... no set target distance or pace, just a nice easy run for plenty of headspace.

[misswobble Marathon in reply to UnfitNoMore]

I get my fave tracks on and have fun. The weather ‘s lovely Come on 💪👍😃

[Pete1w in reply to UnfitNoMore]

I know but it's all tempo run this, interval run that, long run, slow run, hill run. It's all so bloody frustrating. If I just run and enjoy the ride I fear I'll not be ready for the day and fall flat on my a##e halfway round. It feels like it's becoming all time consuming and I can't say I'm enjoying it.

[UnfitNoMore Metric Marathon in reply to Pete1w]

It would depend on which run you changed out... the long run is obviously pretty essential, whereas the tempo and interval runs are more focused on the time you’ll run the HM... if crossing the finish line is the aim, eg a first HM, then that time isn’t so important.

[Pete1w in reply to UnfitNoMore]

So basically I'm over thinking things??? Maybe it's all in my mind. Should I simplify things? 3 runs a week. Short quick one, maybe a hilly one then a long run on Saturday or Sunday?

[UnfitNoMore Metric Marathon in reply to Pete1w]

The guys that wrote the plan know way more than me... but if it’s a race plan it’s geared for pace as much as it is distance, and your goals may be different to that. Whatever we do in life though, enjoyment helps. You’re 6 weeks in, maybe a couple of changed runs will give you the mojo to follow it for another 6 weeks?

[Pete1w in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thanks for the advice and putting my mind at rest. I have a tendency to panic and fret about certain things and this has become one of them. I shall just run and enjoy from now on. Whatever happens on the day, so be it....

[Bazza1234 Marathon in reply to Pete1w]

That's the thinking!!!! The long run is the secret for HM and M - longruns provide endurance , tempo and hill runs, etc provide stamina m sprint intervals provide speed . There is no point in having stamina or speed unless you can "endure" the distance.

[Decker Ultramarathon]

No worries Pete. For my first HM I’ve just did the runs and didn’t pay too much attention to the pace the plan asked for as too much instruction stresses me out too. I would say just go out and get into your zone to enjoy these runs and the rest will take care of itself. You’re already halfway there in training. You can get those faster times later on. You want to enjoy that first race and the training that leads up to it. Especially with your fine weather...

[Madge50 Marathon]

Hi Pete, I’m with Decker , following a training plan is hard, you are continuously building, building, building........for me, I’ve never really understood ‘tempo’, ‘race pace’ runs, I just go out and run, sometimes it’s a bit quicker, sometimes it’s a bit slower, sometimes off road, sometimes not, sometimes i’ll add a few sprints, it’s how I feel, sometimes I have awful runs, and some are good, I don’t sweat it......most important to me has been getting the length of time out e.g 2 hours or distance to build endurance....like the C25K all these plans are a guide...

And to be honest, every time I have ‘trained’ for a HM, i do get to a point when I feel like it’s a slog and I’ve had enough of the long runs, rough terrain etc., (usually near taper time😄 thank goodness!)

For a HM your longest run (anything 8 miles or over - I like to do 12 miles and I only do 2-3 of that distance in my build up) needs to be 10-14 days out from the event, after that you should be just ticking over and resting.

Hope that’s helpful

Mx

Ps, I run twice a week..... I’m not, and never will be ‘fast’, but that’s not the point....🏃‍♀️💪

[Pete1w in reply to Madge50]

Brilliant advice. Thanks for that. It just feels like if I don't stick to some sort of plan I'll fail miserably on the day.

[Madge50 Marathon in reply to Pete1w]

No you won’t, your aim is to:

A) get to the start line

B) get round in once piece

That’s it, it will be fantastic, the atmosphere will be brilliant, you will be great.

Mx

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

I got one of my weekly emails from Jeff Gaudette yesterday (runners connect). He asked if I was getting tired. I'm 4 weeks out now and it seems its a thing! So you're probably in a big club of fed up HM trainers 😀 Mix it up. As others have said, swap a speed run for a just for fun run occasionally. Me? I'm really looking forward to the day when I no longer have any events in the calendar and can be totally off plan no pressure 😀 (Easter Monday in fact) 😀

[Pete1w in reply to linda9389]

At least I'm not on my own!!! Good luck with your event. I might go totally off plan and do my long run tomorrow. I've always had a rebellious streak in me .🤣🤣

[Madge50 Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Absolutely! Yep, tired, fed up, why did I think I can do this, what was I thinking, etc., etc., 😂

I’m on taper terrors now 😱- event is this Sunday ......aaarrrrggghhh!

Mx

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Madge50]

Oh, good luck Sunday. Just think, freedom runs beckon ...

I've just been fora slow dog walk - my legs are broken 😀 I'm sure I feel defeated just cos Jeff planted the seed 😂. As for taper terrors ... that sounds horrible. Eek!!!

[Madge50 Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Thanks Linda, last run in a bit, (no more than 10k - if I make it that far...😂), yep, taper terrors, I can do it, no I can’t, yes I can, no I can’t, major kit faffidge, and don’t get me started on socks! You’d think having done 4 HM’s this would be ‘easy’......oh no!

My head and my heart are having an argument, so I think i’ll just leave them to it and go out for a run.....

Will be excited when I pick up my number on Saturday though....

Look forward to hearing about yours..

Mx

By the way.......I’ve got two more booked after this one....one has to ask........why......oh....why 🤷‍♀️

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Madge50]

Hope you had a lovely last run I think it's because I was following the example of people like you that I ended up with more than one race booked

Have a great race.

[Madge50 Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Oooppps! Please accept my apologies.....😉😂🏃‍♀️....what can you do eh? .....(it’s the bling!)

Had a nice slow run/walk 10k through woods and trails round a local national trust property, soothed my soul that, and loosened everything up.....

Think I’m ready now.....thank you for your good wishes 👍

Event report to follow......

Mx

[Pete1w in reply to Madge50]

You'll be amazing.

[Lordi Marathon]

Agree with Decker and Madge. I'd just run the run you feel like doing on the training day, but stick to the mileage specified. I too gave up with my HM and marathon plans and their pace stipulations because for me it was simply going to be enough to finish the races and I wasn't trying to beat any world records or even any PB. I might try to stick to a plan in future races when I need more discipline to beat a PB. Remember, you are guaranteed a PB the first time you run a HM or marathon

[Pete1w in reply to Lordi]

Oh a PB sounds good. But if I stick to the plan I could do a sub 2 hour!!!!! See there I go again. 😁😁

[Hillrunner2201 Marathon]

I think race plans are bit like marmite- love them or hate them! The structure of a plan works for some but others find they take something away from enjoyment of running. I’ve only ever stuck to a plan loosely as a guide. I don’t bother with them at all now as times are not really important to me, I just enjoy races for the atmosphere and experience. I would say just concentrate on getting the long runs done and just run for fun the rest of the time.

[Pete1w in reply to Hillrunner2201]

Sounds like a plan not to follow a plan. So in future that is what I plan to do. Or should I loosely follow a plan? Does that make sense???😁😁 Thank you...

[Hillrunner2201 Marathon in reply to Pete1w]

It’s not a bad idea to loosely follow a plan to stop doing too much or too little. I think the most important thing is just to get the long runs in though.

[ClareO65 Half Marathon]

I ran the runs, did about 2 interval sessions 😆, ran all the long runs slowly, did the odd pacey run. Decided I wanted to just get round my first HM. Absolutely loved it. Take the pressure off yourself regarding time. I have started to miss my long runs but slowly building back up for my next half. The way I see it is... better to enjoy it and keep doing it than get a better time but not want to do it again. ☺️

[Pete1w]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to everyone who has contributed to my original post. Been for my run this morning and REALLY ENJOYED IT 😀😀😀😀. Although I stuck to the specified distance (roughly!) I ran slowly, I ran quickly, I ran up hills and threw in a couple of sprints here and there. It was great just running without thinking about times and splits and not having to faff about with the settings on my watch. My mojo is back you lovely people. Bring on the HM.😁😁.