It has been a month since I ran in the 2011 Mass Dash Relay. While it was a really great experience, it really took its mental toll. I have struggled the past few weeks trying to get back into my running mindset. I do not crave my runs like I did prior to competing in that race. Regardless of the malaise I have been feeling, I signed up to run the B.A.A. Half Marathon again in October and really need to get myself into peak form so that I can improve my performance on that course. If I don't it could be a very tough day on the road.
This past week, I really focused on sticking to my training regimen. I found comfort in getting up and doing whatever was on my training plan for the day. But each run was a struggle. I didn't feel bad on my runs at all. In fact, I was running pretty well. It was just that there seemed to be this little devil on my shoulder telling me to just quit. Stop running. I kept asking myself why was I feeling like I wanted to pack it in during the middle of a tough workout? Sadly, I don't know where this feeling is coming from.
As I thought about it, I realized that it is not uncommon for a runner like me to have difficulty staying motivated. I am just feeling a bit of burnout. I realized that I had fallen into a rut and my burnout is coming from stale training habits and a simple mental let down after competing in a race I really wasn't properly prepared to run. However, running is a very important part of my life and who I am as a person. So, I am going to chose to see this symptom of burnout as a blessing in disguise. I am going to refocus my training and work harder to be adequately prepared for the B.A.A. Half Marathon.
If I work hard and do well in the B.A.A. Half Marathon, it will be a good indicator of the running shape I am in before the start of my training for the Dana Farber Marathon Challenge Team in 2012. I have realized that my motivation to train is not a constant feeling that is always there 100% of the time. It ebbs and flows depending on whatever else is happening in my life. The key thing I need to remember is that even when I am not feeling particularly motivated to get out there that running is part of who I am and how important it is to me. I need to just lace up my shoes, do my run and wait for that motivation to come back. I am going to remind myself that my goals as a runner are part of a long journey and the malaise I have been feeling is just momentary blip on the screen that will soon dissipate.
I know that every runner has struggled with staying motivated and reaching their goals. Finding the motivation to stick with my training isn't necessarily easy, but I know I can do it. Writing this blog and telling the world that I am running the B.A.A. Half Marathon will help me stay motivated as you will be wondering how I did in the race. I can also reenergize my passion by sticking to my training schedule, and reminding myself of how much I really love to run. That's really what it's really all about. I love to run and I do it because it is fun. Therefore, I am going to make my new running mantra - No fun, no run!
Jul. 24 – 6.20 miles (55:02, 8:53 pace)
Jul. 25 – 6.20 miles (57:01, 9:12 pace)
Jul. 26 – 3.50 miles (30:17, 8:39 pace) – Speed Work
Jul. 28 – 5.20 miles (41:45, 8:02 pace) – Tempo Run
Jul. 30 – 9.10 miles (1:21:15, 8:56 pace)
Jul. 31 – 9.00 miles (1:19:07, 8:48 pace)
Aug. 1 – 6.10 miles (55:12, 9:02 pace)
Aug. 2 – 3.20 miles (25:11, 7:52 pace) – Speed Work
Aug. 4 – 6.20 miles (49:49, 8:02 pace) – Tempo Run
Aug. 5 – 7.10 miles (1:04:06, 9:02 pace)
Aug. 1 –7.10 miles (1:04:32, 9:05 pace)
Total Miles: 68.9 miles
2011 YTD Miles: 932.0 miles
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