lost my mojo- please help.

bonjour24

please help!
i trained really hard up until the end of october , when i ran a half marathon. i decided i needed a break from long runs, and spent a few weeks doing 5k runs. then i got ill and had 2 weeks off completely. i've tried getting back into it, but i don't seem to have the passion or motivation that i had before.
i thought that having something else to aim for would help- i've booked myself in for a half on 26th feb, and my 1st full on 28th april. but it's still just not enough to get me going. i can still run 3 miles, but i did a 7 mile run the other day and had to walk a lot of it (it wouldn't have been an issue before), and the day after my legs were hurting.
i could kick myself now for stopping.
but i need help, suggestions, and motivation (if anyone has any to spare) just to get me back on that wagon.

zenJes

o no hun thats not cool, i know exactly how you feel but i found what was best was to just keep getting out there and doing it, even if you end up running for a shorter distance atleast you are running and on track!!! I also found that my running has improved heaps from bootcamp where we did alot of interval training ie 4 times round the track walk for a minute 3 times round walk for a minute, 2 etc...

skemery

I read someplace that for every week you take off, it takes two weeks of training to get your conditioning back. When I had an injury and had to take a week off from running, my first 2-3 mile run felt brutal (prior to the break my long run was around 8 or 9 miles). I started slow at around 2 miles and added another mile every time I went out, about 3 times a week. It took a couple of weeks to get back up there, but you'll do it.

OLFATUG

Don't sweat it. Remember that besides doing it for your health you are doing it for FUN! If it takes you a bit to get back to your normal tempo don't get discouraged. Here are a couple of things I have done when I needed to get back into the swing:

1) Buy a new audiobook for my ipod. I find that on long distance runs, listening to a favorite author is a great way to 'zone out'
2) Buy a new pair of running shoes, running sock, t-shirt, it doesn't have to be something big or expensive, just something new
3) Try a different form of cardio. Keep running, but do some shorter stuff (3-6 miles) and pick up a spin class or an erg class. Working different muscles and different breathing techniques can be a hoot
4) Get a running buddy/buddies and/or join a local running group. Hoo boy will they keep you on your toes (pun intended)
5) HAVE FUN!