Feeling Blah, an update, and a question

SweatpantsRebellion

Anyone ever start to feel blah about their running. I think it could possibly just be the heat draining me this week. I've only ran once out of two runs that I was supposed to do and I skipped my crosstraining day also. This is not like me. Usually I only miss if I'm injured or overslept. I did miss my crosstraining day due to oversleeping. But I was supposed to run yesterday morning. I took the dog out early and just decided to sit with my feet up and drink a cup of joe before my daycare kiddos arrived and my own woke up. I don't know why I was being so lazy??? I've been exhausted this week though.

Other than that, I feel like I'm doing well. I'm up to six miles as my long run. So this weekend I'll be doing seven. I need to get out there nice and early as I expect the heat will be continuing. I'm kind of nervous that I have a 7 miler with two severe hills on July 28th. I hope it's not a super hot day, but the odds are not in my favor.

Also, regarding hills, I think that might be how I overworked my right knee a few weeks back. I was trying to add in "hills" (we have none in my town, but I found bridges and a few roads with inclines) to my long run in order to prep for my 7 miler. I wonder if I just didn't have proper form on the hills because it was after that run that my right knee flared up. It's all better now by the way - that was several weeks ago. But I don't want to do that to myself again. Anyone have any insight on running hills, links, etc...?

stubbysticks

I've absolutely started to feel blah about running & exercise in general before. In my case that's an indication I'm due for a week-long break, which I cycle into my training every 10-12 weeks or so. Not sure how long it's been since you took one, so that's something to consider.

Great job on the mileage!

bridies01

I agree- when you start feeling that way, better to address it and give yourself a break - as long as it doesn't happen all the time!

Although, I usually find that the days that I am just.not.feeling it - I go out and give myself permission to quit after a mile if I still feel awful, or to just walk after that (I try to always get in 60 minutes of activity most days). What I usually find is those days end up being my best workouts! Nothing beats the blah feeling like getting moving.

At least in my case, the law of inertia is right on. When I get in a good habit of working out every day (with one or two rest days a week), I miss working out if I don't do it. If I let myself slack on the blah days, or start skipping too many days, it becomes way too easy to just sit around. I don't always love forcing myself out the door, and I sometimes hate every step of my run, but I always, always feel good when it's done.

StrongerByTheMiles

I think we all have rough patches! The heat is definitely an obstacle. I never thought I would wish for cold weather....until I became a runner! If I really feel blah, I usually decide to do 1 walk day instead of my run. I keep my distance goal the same. 9 out of 10 times, I get so bored with walking that I want to run after a mile or 2 because it feels better and gets the job done quicker! It just makes it easier to put on the running clothes and take the first step if I take the pressure of a run off myself some days.

416runner

Don't feel bad about having a tough week - I definitely have rough patches here and there. I try to head off some of those patches by working an easier week into my training schedule every few weeks, where I scale back all of my mileage (including my long run) and then increase again. I find it's a physical and mental break, which I need. I agree with the others that on days I'm not feeling it, I promise myself that I'll go at least a mile or so out, and usually once I'm going, I'm happy to keep going. Sometimes getting out the door is the hardest part.

enchantedeskape

Yep. I ran into that about a month or so ago. I took a break from running. I think it was only about a week. After that, my body was craving the run again. See about changing things up a little. And don't beat yourself up!

SweatpantsRebellion

Well, I have to admit that I haven't run since Wednesday of last week. I'm still not wanting to go. I'm wondering if this humidity and heat is due to lift soon. That's probably part of it. I have a 7 mile race at the end of July, so I need to get back into the swing of things so I can be prepared. My longest long run to date is 6 miles. This is the first real wall I've hit on my journey. I'm a bit confused because things were going along really well. That being said, this past month has been the most personally stressful month that I've had in a long time. So I think there might be personal issues that are draining me right now. I'm giving myself a rest this week. Hopefully the stress will ease up in addition to the heat and I can get back at it!

enchantedeskape

After your break this week, pick a day next week that you WILL run...and unless you break a leg putting on your shoes, run no matter what. Your body will thank you

SweatpantsRebellion

Thanks for all the support. I'm going to try to stop obsessing and enjoy my break. Hopefully that will help me to feel refreshed and ready to go next week.