Active Community: Message List - Losing the running mojo. Need it back.

Losing the running mojo. Need it back.

guest — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 17:14:35 GMT

This was a great post. I am 51 and run but I don't consider myself a true runner because I don't love it like so many do. I started running about 7 years ago as a challenge and to enhance my martial arts training. I trained and ran my various races. Still cannot wrap my mind around marathons, but 5 & 10k are fine. My running is very sporatic. I do so much other exercise that it was easy to be sporatic with running. My last race was in May 2011 then it turned so hot where I live that I just couldn't bring myself to run in 100+ weather. But once the temperatures started to drop, all of a sudden, I wanted to run. A local race was coming up so I started to train. I ran it and have signed up for a couple more. I envy those who love running. It doesn't come easy for me so I lose the "mojo" often, but I always come back to it. Glad you found your way back.

Losing the running mojo. Need it back.

guest — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 22:03:10 GMT

I just finished re-reading (and reading a few for the first time) these posts. Thanks everyone for the thoughtful and insightful ideas. I think much of what I read is spot-on accurate. Some of you guys really climbed into my head.

I decided that my 'lost mojo' is to be renamed a summer vacation from running and now I'm back. Instead of beating myself up for the break, I am going to pretend it was a reward for a job well done over the last few years. Mary Lyon, you were right in your post. I think I had a "been there, done that" attitude; which in turn made running a bit of the same-stuff, different-day for me.

To everyone who suggested a new sport - I have taken my bike out some more (with enjoyment) and paddled the kayak a few times (with enjoyment). Nothing beats running though for the sole (pun intended) reason that I can lace up the shoes and be out the door in a matter of minutes. Kayaks and bikes unfortunately take some pre-planning and/or greater time commitment.

And as far as the idea that is wasn't the running but something else that was interferring with the running, err, you were probably correct as well. I think I was bringing workplace stresses home with me. Thanks for pointing that out.

So, time to go lace up and run. Run long and taper everyone! Thanks again.

Re: Losing the running mojo. Need it back.

guest — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 02:15:45 GMT

I've lost my mojo a couple of times. I've noticed it happens when I skip to many runs or take too much time off from running like when I'm super busy. For me, I just have to make sure it's a multiple time per week thing otherwise I stop having the urge to do it.

Re: Losing the running mojo. Need it back.

guest — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 18:20:35 GMT

Chris, Pete and Akaerock,

Thank you guys so much. Your advice is tremendously helpful. I decided to take off this entire weekend, and get back on the wagon when I feel like I miss running. I doubt it will take too long!!

I want to reflect for as long as I can on my motivations, and the way I have been training while doing other forms of exercise.

Thanks again!

Re: Losing the running mojo. Need it back.

guest — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 17:47:27 GMT

Curlytrot:

Seems to me that your not sticking to a training program. I use to workout/run 7 days a week sometimes 2 sessions a day. I use to burn out and take months off. Now I follow a training plan and I know that rest days and tapering is the most important part of my routine. On my rest days I do no workout at all, NO RUNNING NO GYM. I also take vacation days and sick days.

I pretty much consider my training a job and follow a schedule, but just like work If I feel I need a day off I take it and consider it a vacation or sick day. I recommend keep your training days to 4 days a week and have schedule some 2 day-in-a-row off every month. Scheduling vacation days helps keeping you from burning out and its like a reward for the hard work.

Re: Losing the running mojo. Need it back.

guest — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 16:25:10 GMT

Curlytrot,

I really like Chris's advice to maybe go back and ask yourself why you started running in the first place. I love running very much and it fits perfectly into my life..... right now! Life has a way of changing things up on us and making the choices we make more complicated than we can sometimes handle. I usually train twice per day 4-5 days per week and then do my normal weekend long runs. People often ask me how I can do that and I tell them. Right now in my life I have time and I enjoy this hobby very much. I also explain that when I was younger ( I'm 53 now) there was no way I would have been able to commit that much time to running. If I had tried I would have burned out very quickly. Raising kids, working longer hours, fixing up the house and staying connected with family and friends can pretty much take up all your time. When I was in my early 30's I spent one summer running with a goal of running a sub 40 min 10k. I made it down to 42 min, then burned out and quit running altogether for nearly 20 yrs. I guess my point in all this babble is that sometimes balancing our busy lives can be hard, we set out to start a hobby like running with low expectations only to start setting goals and expectations that just require to much effort and to much time. We burn out!! Maybe running and general fitness aren't really the problems at all, maybe your busy life combined with high expectations are causing you to lose your enjoyment from running. There are times that I start feeling the "Have to's" rather than the "Want to's" and those days I just try to figure out why I'm going out. I usually end up getting past it and actually do the run and end up feeling great about it but sometimes I just take the day off and try to remind myself that this is not a life or death decision and one day doesn't make or break my goals or my training. Some days really are a struggle but I believe if you truly enjoy running you'll end up finding the proper balance and get your mojo back. Sometimes finding that balance takes feeling the big highs and the big lows.

Good luck and hang in there! I truly hope you find your mojo again!

Pete

Re: Losing the running mojo. Need it back.

guest — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 15:38:37 GMT

Curlytrot:

It is a tough place to be isn't it? I think the first question might be: "Why did you start running to begin with?" If you can answer that and find your way back to running for that reason, then maybe the problem will be easily solved. If running is something you initially began because you liked it, then don't worry- your mojo can return. Maybe it IS about putting the pace watch away, forgetting about distance and just going out in the early morning (to avoid heat) and just go until you feel like stopping. Go slow and give yourself the freedom to stop whenever: take away the pressure. The outcomes of running (fitness) sometimes become the reason for the activity and that squelches the joy by making it 'something I have to do to stay fit'. Try cross training. I decided last year to do a triathlon and I missed my 6x/week runs, but found that when I got to do them I enjoyed them even more. Plus, I found that biking and swimming became more fun as I gained skill in each of them. They also aided my running! None of the activities are so much a part of my regimen that I get bored with them. Plus, you mix things up so much! Biking outdoors, or biking @ the gym; swimming in an outdoor pool or the ocean or an indoor pool, 30 minutes in the pool and 45 minutes on the bike, etc... Strength training is another good activity, and important for good running (or biking or swimming)... so mix those things up!

All in all, I think it is like the old saying my grandmother used to tell me: Too much of a good thing is not a good thing. So step away, regroup, and give yourself the freedom to enjoy whatever physical activity you participate in for the simple joy of the rapid heart rate, increased respiration and that oh so great SWEAT--- along with the connection with nature or people at the gym!!!

Good luck curlytrot!

Chris

Re: Losing the running mojo. Need it back.

guest — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 01:17:57 GMT

I am new to running and feel like I am losing my mojo too. I am not sure if it is the weather, because I feel roasted half way through my run. My runs and workouts are turning into "I must do them or my level of fitness will decline" rather than "I want to do them because they are fun". I am getting frustrated with the aches and pains am developing, the lack of progress in my pace and the extreme fatigue. The problem is that I am so afraid of taking a break, and then losing the ability to run again. I used to workout everyday of the week with one day break, and now it is dwindling down to 3 times a week..what is going on?

Yes, I am losing the ability to get in a state of flow with every workout. Yes, I feel that my life was so constraint with what I should and should not eat and declining all social activities because I have to get my workout in. I did everything that people do to keep themselves motivated: have a running group to meet up, I signed up for a weekly track training and vary my workout. I just stay home and apologize and make up excuses.

I am not sure what is going on with me either, and how long this phase will take too!!

Re: Losing the running mojo. Need it back.

guest — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 20:51:01 GMT

I get to feeling that way sometimes. What I have done is race! I race just about every weekend. That's the motivation for me. So go out and sign up for a couple of weekend races. If that doesn't get you moving, then I don't know what will!

Re: Losing the running mojo. Need it back.

guest — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 16:33:46 GMT

Dog-lover: I'm glad to hear this new approach is working for you. After I posted my thoughts, I realized I should have gone a step further when discussing taking the watch off. You hit the idea, though: if you are still pursuing a personal goal, you need the watch sometimes and using it for pacing in repeats or speedwork is the best time to put it on, while leaving it at home on the longer runs.

Csikszentmihalyi's book you are reading is a good one- he has written several for different audiences and with different perspectives on flow. He founded the idea of flow and it is a wonderful phenomena. Dr. Csikszentmihalyi is my research adviser, which is such an honor! If you would like to talk about the book, or the topic, just hit me up!

Chris