Out of running motivation?

Navyfreak
Navyfreak Posts: 8
edited December 17 in Motivation and Support
So I recently started running along with doing the workout DVD insanity and have seen some awesome results. I have gone from not even being able to run .5 of a mile to running 1.8 miles with no breaks. But recently, I've noticed I'm struggling big time during my morning runs. I've started to get frustrated with my slow running times and "grandma running" when I'm tired. I run every day/every other day (if I feel strong enough). Any advice??

Replies

  • SunLove8
    SunLove8 Posts: 693 Member
    For me I have be up for at least an hour and half, drink at least two glasses of water, a cup of coffee and breakfast ( I eat a 1/2 english muffin with half a cheese slice and one egg) and then wait 45 minutes to an hour. I have the most energy then. Best of luck!!!
  • JBApplebee
    JBApplebee Posts: 481 Member
    slow your pace. I was running at 6.5 mph (2.0 incline), but could never go more than 15 minutes straight. After seeing this advice, I started to run at 6.2 mph (2.5 incline) & I can now run 20 minutes plus continuously every day.
  • Always824
    Always824 Posts: 111 Member
    Have you tried switching up your times?

    My fiance is in the navy & when I drop him off to work around 5am I hit the gym at 530... after 2-3 weeks of that I started feeling unmotivated to go to the gym so I started going an hour or so before he got off of work in the afternoon and started feeling more motivation especially when he has PTs (the ones where they don't have to be in uniform) and I end up doing an extra hour... It was all due to switching it up..

    Good Luck getting your motivation back... Feel free to add me if you like, I feel like Im a great motivator :)
  • montana_girl
    montana_girl Posts: 1,403 Member
    Do you have anyone you can run with? I know when I'm dragging, just having a friend along to chat with (even if run slow) helps a lot... and we usually end up running faster than we think we are.

    Just make sure you are getting plenty of sleep, eating well, and maybe try running 3 days a week instead of four or more.

    You'll be back in the groove before you know! :flowerforyou:
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    maybe you are doing too much with the running and insanity. How much are you eating? Insanity has the min caloric allowance at 1700, so if you are running on top of that you should be eating no less then 2000 cals in order to fuel your body properly, any less and you body will fight you and most likely start losing muscle to lower your metabolism down toward the intake you are providing.
  • belgerian
    belgerian Posts: 1,059 Member
    You listen to music while running? That helps me alot to stay motivated to keep my mind occupied. Also so what if your grandma running your still running/jogging. Also maybe like was said earlier maybe the insanity and running is too much for your body? Maybe some type of hybrid days you run no insanity or something? I get frustrated with myself sometimes if I have a slower time than average but I remind myself that someone my age I am probably in the top 20 percent fitness wise.
  • Navyfreak
    Navyfreak Posts: 8
    Definitely all good advice, thank you! I may cut the running down to 3x a week, that way I'm not burnt out, so hopefully that helps out
  • refractor82
    refractor82 Posts: 3
    Take a week off. You may be dogging it because you're not allowing your muscles to rebuild. You need rest to get strong. If you constantly beat your body down and don't allow it to repair, you'll end up tired and loathing your workouts and maybe end up injured.

    I wouldn't advise running more than 3 times per week. I do my long run for the week and 2 short runs. I take 2 days off before and after my long runs and periodically take a week off and change it up with strength training.

    Eat lots of veggies, fish and seeds. You need nutrients, not just calories. Avoid supplements to fill in the gaps. A few are alright but diet is key.

    Drink LOTS of water. I try to drink 160 ounces of water a day. You may not want to drink that much but set a goal for yourself. Your body needs hydration and it needs to excrete waste. Water filters your body.

    Calculate your TDEE (http://www.fitnessfrog.com/calculators/tdee-calculator.html) and base your diet off of that (i.e. if you want to lose a pound a week, -500 calories per day from your TDEE). You may find you're not eating enough.

    I avoid caffeine most days but I like a cup of coffee before my long run. I like the energy boost.

    I think all these factors contribute greatly to overall energy and how you feel when you work out. Lastly, I'd say listen to your body. If you feel tired, take a day or two off. Exercising should be fun.
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