Hi.

I've been running for 9 months now, regularly doing 6 milers and the occcasional 9 mile run. Have done a couple of 5 & 10 K races so am not entirely new to the madness of running !

My problem is I am losing motivation when it comes to running, so I am running less lately. I used to run 4/5 times a week, up to a month ago and loved every minute of it. But I have only run once last week and once yesterday. My lack of enthusiasm reflects in my times : I am slowly getting slower ! And its turning into a catch 22 situation.

What can I do to get myself back on my feet again ? I was planning to do the Windsor half next month but at the moment I can only just get around my 6 mile run at the moment, let alone over double that !

I eat, relatively, healthily and suppliment my diet with a multivitamin and iron tablet most days and a vit c one !

It's not that I dont want to do it, because I really do. I just dont seem to enjoy lately.

Try having a couple of weeks off, followed by a new training program for a new race.

Knock up an Excel spreadsheet with your training program starting in a fortnight from a low mileage building up to your goal in a couple of months. Then run your race and knock minutes off your PB.

All you need to do is choose the race, and sit back and enjoy the break.

Hi NN.
Only you will really know what's wrong. You could be carrying a bug. You could have built up your running too quickly and need a rest. Work pressures or stress in your personal life can all make a difference. Poor diet could be a possibility. Think about it quietly and if there is no logical reason for it I agree with Tom. Set a new target for the Autumn (10k pb with a couple of preparatory races) and work out a training programme that doesn't involve quantum leaps in training.

Just don't waste all the progress you've already made.
JJ

You might just need a rest. I've just been on holiday for two weeks and wasn't able to run during this time. Before I went away I was training hard four times a week, and my legs were starting to ache constantly. The last couple of weeks before I went away were really tough, and I felt I was regressing, which is demotivating.

I've come back feeling recharged and rejuvenated, and my legs are now refreshed and comfortable again. Had a grotty first run on Sunday (but apparently that's quite normal and was probably made worse by tiredness from travelling and dehydration) but am now raring to go!

I have a 10K in 3 weeks' time and a half marathon in 6 weeks so I also have good reason to get back on track!

Are your routes boring and repetitive?

After taking the rest that Minkin recommended you might think of treating yourself to some scenic off-road runs, even if it means travelling to a new venue to do it - I'm always inspired by lakeside or seashore or riverside or clifftop or mountain trail runs - especially as my normal routes are around the pavements of Stockport!

Numbnutz - I know how you feel. Haven't quite worked up to a 9-mile run yet, but occasionally do 7-miles, but like you, am getting dispirited and demotivated, despite a half-marathon coming up next month. Knowing that I've only done 7 miles and will have to run 13 miles makes it even harder to get out at all. I think the heat had a lot to do with it - I really couldn't run at all whilst it was so hot and got slower and slower. So you may (WE may!) find that running gets better and faster now that it's cooled down.

I went for my first run for a week yesterday evening, very reluctantly, and it rained - and suddenly I found myself really enjoying it.

Are you a member of a club? If not, perhaps that's an idea. Personally I always feel more motivated if I'm running with other people - and there's a pint at the end of it.

If it's just the plain running that you're getting bored with, how about looking at other related sports that incorporate it? One friend was getting bored of running and so trained for her first triathlon - having 'diluted' the running, she found she enjoyed it more, and has now returned to her running training. And I've just started making enquiries about orienteering, thinking that the added mental element of having to work out somebody else's route as I go along might make a pleasant change once in a while!

Meanwhile, if you get a brainwave, please let me know... but don't drop out of Windsor, cos if you're like me, that would probably demotivate you further...

Check iron, even if you are taking iron tablets.

Rest for a week, deliberately, not deciding each day that maybe really you'd rather not but possibly tomorrow.

Do different types of sessions. If you were doing steady pace, try doing some intervals, fartlek, or even, gasp, hills. Take a map, go find some new footpaths. Take a train/bus somewhere and run home.

Do you run with a club? I'm told they are fun, but I'm too slow to join so I wouldn't know first hand. The local Hash came by our street the other day, oh boy was I jealous.

Read through these pages and you'll see that there's nearly no one who hasn't felt like that from time to time.

Don't wait til you can't to find out what a terrific thing it is to be able, simply to run.

All the best.

I've felt teh same over the past month or so. Greater mileage, more sessions, focussed speed sessions midweek, occasional test run against the clock.
Slow deterioration.
Only my very long run performance was improving.
A few days rest, the temperature cooled down, conditions were just right and I felt up to it. Left wifey cooking tea. Then I went out and blitzed 2 minutes off my 6.5 mile time, even beating (I think) my pb for a race 10k.

No idea where it came from.

Join a club. A wealth of experience and challenges.

The best move I ever made as a runner.

Wow, plenty of advice. Where do I start !

I have thought about taking a couple of weeks rest, which will hopefully recharge my batteries. not sure if i will make windsor then ? And I am supposed to be running it with a friend, which will make me feel even more guilty if I drop out.

I guess my routes are a bit boring, I do have a local OS map which I planned my 9 mile route on - I could do a couple of smaller runs from it.

I am a bit reluctant to join a club because when you go to races all the club runners are always fast and at the front, definately not 8 1/2 --> 9 min milers as I am !!!


Also, how do you check your iron level without going to the doctor ? My doctor makes you feel guilty every time you book an appointment, even if it is something important !


Lots of things to take on board, and thanks for the advice everyone.

No, no, no.... it's not true that clubs are only made up from super fast types. You'll find a whole range of abilities, including people who'll struggle to keep up with your 8.5 - 9 min miles. Honest.

Anyway, it can't do any harm for you to check out a couple of your local clubs, and if you're not sure about it, just go along and have a chat to them before one of their sessions so that you can get an idea of the kind of people there and the sort of training they do. You'll make new friends, discover lots of interesting routes... and get faster too. Trust me!

agree with treefrog - no way are clubs superfast. I'm a member of one and I'm slower than you, but the last club run I did there were probably 40 or so slower than me. so go for it!

I've found a new way to remotivate myself, but I suspect this applies only to women - retail therapy! I've bought myself some new kit and spent many happy hours searching for the perfect running backpack and suddenly I've come over all excited! And obviously, I can't resist testing out my new kit, so I just have to go for a run...

8.5 - 9 min miling would put you comfortably in a middle group at our club. We have a couple of quicker groups, a middle range group and a 10 min mile + `plodder' group (including Mrs BR who can come back from a run telling me people's life histories)!

Retail therapy work for men too.

Only we call it a guilt trip after spending the money.

BR - nice that you both run - would love it if my other half would join a club with me!!
Would be a good motivator in itself.

Just read your comment about running clubs and i totally disagree. I only stared running 3 months ago. At the end of December I ran a 10K race with an aim to get round. I got a lift with a group from the local running club and they couldn't have been more supportive...yes they all ran a dam site faster than me but they helped me warm up, introduced me to everyone, cheered me on and took a genuine interest in how I had done...I felt so encouraged that I am joining tonight.
Running with others definately keeps you inproving and motivated so go for it.

Re iron. Give blood? If you're at all anaemic it will show and they won't let you give. If you give, though, remember to expect sluggish runs for a week.

Be astonished at sub 9 min miling if you were not very welcome at most clubs. At 12 minute miling, honest, it can pose a problem.

yes it does Stickless, doesnt it

Stickless, does a lack of iron affect concentration & stamina?

Yes Destiny, both, unfortunately. Spent 9 months quite anaemic. Was a pretty useless piece of furniture during that time.

Hippo, I know, I know I know.

And this year I am running my 6 mile loop 5 minutes slower than I was last year when I was run walking it.

I know, I know I know I know,

but how many of those speedy guys get half the pleasure I do from my plod?