I need to run!

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Replies

  • hazymary
    hazymary Posts: 190 Member
    After my 1/2 and a few other races I developed shin splints, so I biked...then signed up for a duathlon...run/bike/run.....really enjoyed it!
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Sign up for a race. Having a goal race in sight helps to keep me motivated and focused.

    Nothing like a deadline to keep you honest.

    ^^ This
  • Lyerin
    Lyerin Posts: 818 Member
    Sign up for a race. Having a goal race in sight helps to keep me motivated and focused.

    Nothing like a deadline to keep you honest.

    Yep! Sign up for another race. Even something like a fun 5K may be enough to just get you back into your groove. Maybe try something like the Zombies Run! app to get you back into the swing of things.
  • Doodlewhopper
    Doodlewhopper Posts: 1,018 Member
    I have a faded decal on my bathroom mirror that says, "Youre Looking at the Problem".

    I think all athletes at one time or another run into a slump and just cant get too worked up about their sport; but Im different, Im tougher then them. I rock. Im a stud. Im a monster. I eat all the asphalt I can find. (hey, works for me dammit LOL)

    I keep three simple and really uninspiring things in the forefront of my brain. #1. "Some dont. I do." - #2. "Im a runner. Runners run." - 3. "It's settled. Im not talking about it anymore."

    Right now it's so damn hot and humid, the humidity yesterday morning at 4 AM was in the 90's and the afternoon temp forecast was100* Good excuses not to go out huh? But then I remembered #1, #2 & #3 above. I then told myself that I will go out and just shuffle a real easy mile and come home.....but you know what happens once the juices start circulating. Damn! Tricked myself again! I ran for over 2 hours and loved it.

    Tonight eat a lot of pasta. Lay out your running gear. Get up in the morning, suit up and just go outside and sit on the front step for a while.....oh yeah, drink a big glass of water first.
  • Lisah8969
    Lisah8969 Posts: 1,247 Member
    Ignore how you feel. Lace up and run, just a bit. Get out for a few miles. You might hate it. So what. You won't hate it when you're done.

    Or don't. It's pretty much that simple.

    Pretty much this. I know when I am training for a Half and the miles have just been increasing and my time spent training is increasing, I start to resent it a little. After the event, I start to love it again since the miles have decreased and the time I need to dedicate to it has also decreased. I can go back to enjoying it once more.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    if you dont WANT to run, dont... do something else! swimming, insanity, lifting, zumba, whatever!

    The trouble is, my body only really responds to high physical activity like running. Slower exercises don't work as well.

    If you're lifting, and it's not high physical activity, then you're doing it wrong.

    Not sure if you're looking to completely change gears or not, but tons of people, and tons of women on here switched to lifting heavy and absolutely love the results. Check out Starting Strength by Mark Rippetoe or Stronglifts 5x5

    These do require access to a gym with a power rack, not sure what your situation there is, but it's worth the results.

    The "slower" exercises comment made me laugh.

    I completely agree with the two others above. It would probably do your body good to build some real muscle! I attend a bootcamp every day (similar to insanity style) and it's anything but "slow". I've actually seen improvement in my running abilities because of it and I only run once a week. Try the videos mentioned, or finding a bootcamp of sorts, or a cross fit gym.

    I love that swimming, insanity, Zumba and lifting are 'slow'!!! I must be doing insanity wrong!!!
  • Holly_Lynn81
    Holly_Lynn81 Posts: 13 Member
    I find that if I sign up for races, then I have to train and keep at it. I love running, but just that goal put in front of me keeps me from giving up. Also, find a running buddy and try to run together or train for a race together. Joining a challenge group to see how many miles you can do in a certain time is fun also. Seeing my other MFP friends logging runs on here is motivating too!
  • emmacriswell
    emmacriswell Posts: 35
    Sign up for a race. Having a goal race in sight helps to keep me motivated and focused.

    Nothing like a deadline to keep you honest.

    True! That's how I got going the last time. I signed up for the Bronx 10 miler Sept 29
  • emmacriswell
    emmacriswell Posts: 35
    if you dont WANT to run, dont... do something else! swimming, insanity, lifting, zumba, whatever!

    The trouble is, my body only really responds to high physical activity like running. Slower exercises don't work as well.

    If you're lifting, and it's not high physical activity, then you're doing it wrong.

    Not sure if you're looking to completely change gears or not, but tons of people, and tons of women on here switched to lifting heavy and absolutely love the results. Check out Starting Strength by Mark Rippetoe or Stronglifts 5x5

    These do require access to a gym with a power rack, not sure what your situation there is, but it's worth the results.

    The "slower" exercises comment made me laugh.

    I completely agree with the two others above. It would probably do your body good to build some real muscle! I attend a bootcamp every day (similar to insanity style) and it's anything but "slow". I've actually seen improvement in my running abilities because of it and I only run once a week. Try the videos mentioned, or finding a bootcamp of sorts, or a cross fit gym.

    I love that swimming, insanity, Zumba and lifting are 'slow'!!! I must be doing insanity wrong!!!

    haha, oh I didn't mean it that way! I hate Zumba, so my other choices are usually pilates or yoga, I also consider lifting slow, though intensely physical. I do need to work on that, for sure.
  • emmacriswell
    emmacriswell Posts: 35
    After my 1/2 and a few other races I developed shin splints, so I biked...then signed up for a duathlon...run/bike/run.....really enjoyed it!

    Cool! That sounds like fun, maybe I'll try that.
  • emmacriswell
    emmacriswell Posts: 35
    1) Sign up for anouther race
    2) Set a new running goal
    3) Start running with a friend
    4) Try trail running
    5) Try a event race like a mud run or warrior dash

    I have ran 5 marathons and 3 half marathons in the last 4 years and was getting tired of the long miles. Now I try to only run 20 miles a week, (down from 40 to 50) and when I run its mostly speed work. It has help me get faster and makes me not hate the amount of time I spend running. Plus it gives me time to get stronger so I can be a better runner.

    What is your speed work like?
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    As others have said, maybe sign up for another race...maybe something different like an obstacle course/mud run or something.

    I'd also recommend having a "season" where you're really running and training hard and racing...maybe plan for 3-4 races or more if you're doing shorter distances, etc...then back off for the off-season and do something else to help maintain your aerobic base but also let your body recover and rest.

    I'd also suggest that you also incorporate some resistance and weight training...it will help you run faster and further. I lift during my "season" as well as off-season, but it's a different kind of load and different routines...off-season is where I really work on building up my strength. It makes a huge difference in endurance performance.

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