Monday, April 18, 2011

MIA: My motivation & love for running

Missing:  Lisa's motivation & love for the sport of running.  If found, please return to Minneapolis, MN.  Thanks.

Oh my goodness, I have lost my motivation lately - basically since I got back from DC.  Granted, those 10 days after I got back were intense as I took the review course for the 7 and studied every night in preparation for that exam.  My mind was engaged from 6:30 am until 9-9:30 pm when I would hit the sheets, so running just did not fit into my schedule unfortunately.

That test is behind me and unfortunately the motivation for running has not returned.  I basically have to talk myself into going on each run.  Of course the winter-weather we've been having lately is NOT helping.  I mean, I woke up to a layer of snow on Saturday and when I ran yesterday, it was 34 degrees w/ a STRONG wind.  This weather officially sucks.  I guess it could be worse - some parts of North Dakota got 12-14" of snow on Saturday!!! 

I am hoping this is just a little phase I am going through.  Pretty soon I'll start training for the 10k that I am running with Nora.  I think being back 'on the grid' for a race will help.  And warmer temps/sunshine will help, too (if the weather ever warms up.  There is snow in the forecast for this week.  Le sigh.)

I know I can't give up on running.  So for now, I'll continue to drag myself out onto the running paths.  I'll keep moving my feet in the hopes that my heart catches up with us and the love of running returns. 

Does your motivation for exercising ebb & flow?  This is pretty typical for me - I always seem to struggle to get back into running around this time of year, especially when the weather is so uncooperative!

17 comments:

Emily Jane said...

Mine definitely does, and unfortunately I don't have the answer, but I think you're on the right track (no pun intended, I swear!) by just continuing to plough on in the meantime... I hope your motivation comes home soon!

Amber @ A Little Pink in the Cornfields said...

My motivations ABSOLUTELY goes in and out. It drives me crazy because I always come home feeling great - shouldn't I be trying to get that feeling all the time? I don't think I will ever understand.
I am sure you're motivation will reappear though, you are one of the most motivated people I have ever met and I really admire that about you!

Marlys said...

Hang in there - I do think the weather has a big impact on your motivation right now! I think the whole midwest is sun deprived and cold! But it beats the tornadoes that ripped up so much of the country! I just have to see a bright side to this *%#* weather!

Kelly (She Wears a Red Sox Cap) said...

My motivation definitely comes and goes, especially if I get really busy or sick or off track for any reason. Also, winter weather this time a year would definitely be enough to convince me out of it. Just keep plugging along and hopefully spring will come soon :)

Mandy said...

The weather that you've been having doesn't like enjoyable running weather at all. Also I think that your schedule has been incredibly intense. I think that as Spring arrives, the weather becomes nicer, you will find your motivation and your love of running again. Or maybe in the interim try something else like biking or yoga?

Leigh said...

I've definitely had that problem, especially as of late. The weather here has been crappy which makes me have to run inside and I hate it!

Hopefully our motivation will come back soon!

Nora said...

I have to confess, the first few lines of this post made me laugh out loud. I'm right there with you... at least our race training starts soon so maybe that will help us both? I have extra motivation now so I must. get. it. into.gear!

Amber said...

I find that my motivation ebbs and flows from week to week even! Last week I did NOT want to work out at all and had to drag myself to yoga/running but the week before I did yoga 3 times, ran 4 times and swam once? Where that energy monster came from I have NO idea!

I think once the weather is better your running motivation will return! Also when you have more TIME to run so it's more like a treat than something you NEED to do :)

Nilsa @ SoMi Speaks said...

A 6-mile race is a great first goal to get you back into a running routine. It's long enough to feel some accomplishment, but short enough that when life gets in the way, your training won't be thrown entirely off track.

Jess said...

I am largely unmotivated to run since my half marathon. I have a feeling it's just the weather though, so I'm confident we'll both get back into it!! I wish you luck!

Becky said...

My motivation ebbs and flows and I don't even work out nearly as much as you do! You're a trooper for continuing to run in such crappy weather - hang in there, spring is just around the corner, I promise!

Jolene - EverydayFoodie said...

My motivation for exercising definitely ebbs and flows. I have to be in a routine for at least a few weeks before I am motivated, and exercise becomes a habit. I also can't take too many days off or else I never want to start back up again.

Gracie said...

My motivation vanished last week but I realized I hadn't taken a rest day in forever. I skipped a day and felt fresh again. But this humidity kills my speed and that's very discouraging.

Abby said...

Don't worry or get down on yourself about your decreased running lately. First off, your weather sucks! Who wants to run in that crap?

And secondly, you are burnt out lady!!! You just have so much going on.

I go through this with running alll the time. And so take little "running breaks" -- whre I focus on other things for awhile. Like right now...I do P90X, weight train, spinning mostly. I maybe go on 1 run / week. And it's nice this way -- b/c the run is actually fun...not a chore.

YOu'll be back at it once the weather is nice!!

Lauren @ Sassy Molassy said...

Well, at least you're getting out there when you can. I think that sometimes it's worth it to push yourself to do it when you don't want to because it makes you mentally stronger. And other times, it's your body telling you no, don't do it and we should listen.

I wish I lived near you. I think a great time to try out new exercises is when your motivation is lacking. For example, I will go to a yoga class or boot camp or even just go to the gym and lift weights instead of run. It definitely helps to have a race to motivate you to get those miles in!

Raquelita said...

I think my motivation for all things ebbs and flows. Right now I'm in the last couple of weeks of the term, and since I got back from my trip this weekend, I am definitely feeling less than gung-ho about a lot of the things I need to do as well as a lot of the things I normally love to do. I just want to sleep for about 2 days straight. And watch Scrubs.

Kyria @ Travel Spot said...

yep. Anytime I take a break I have a really hard time getting back into it. You just have to start off slow, but don't give up on it! Also, maybe it's time to try a spin class or something alternate, just for a couple days, until you feel like exercising in general again.