I haz teh burnout.
I am facing a dilemma. I am signed up for 2 upcoming half marathons:
and...
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| October 15,2011 |
- My longest run has been 6 miles, on the track, and I think that was about 4 weeks ago.
- I can barely force myself to run more than 2 miles.
- Running didn't get me the body I wanted. My interest has shifted to bodybuilding. I'm already seeing results after just a few weeks of heavy lifting. It's hard to want to run with that.
I've been doing some serious thinking about "Why I Run". Here's what I have come up with:
- To lose weight/stay in shape (theoretically)
- For that moment. That one moment. The "high". When you've just completed a run, and you feel like you can do anything. I haven't had that moment in a long time, but I keep running, hoping it will happen.
- The excitement of races. I love races.
So, right now, I'm really seriously wondering what to do. I feel like I need a good month away from running, and I need to start over and only run 3 miles at a time when I get back. But if I do that, I don't think I'll be ready for the September race (maybe the October race).
What do you think? What would *you* do?
Let me hear it...
9 comments:
Go with your gut. Seriously. What would Tony do?
I did p90x all june and july with little running and DIED for my july 17th 1/2- i learned the hard way that it doesn't really matter how in shape you are, running is what makes running easier. If you don't think you're ready for sept race, i'd pass it up. I live in Nashville and ran the Women's 1/2 last year- its not joke with all those hills, was one of my harder ones for sure.
I would probably skip the September and just train for October. Unless you are willing to run/walk the September just to have fun.
I've been finding running really hard recently as well. Today I slowed down - yes even slower than normal ;-) It was a little better. I'm hoping to get through the mental issues I'm having with running right now and I'm taking Jens advice above on board as well, for my October race I'm gonna have fun with it :-)
Take a week off then reassess, see how you think you feel about running, then maybe try a run and take it from there. Good luck whatever you decide.
I would say maybe you need to mix it up a little. Keep running but not every single day. Mix it up with a couple days of weights and a couple days of running. Then when Sept comes around, walk/run if you need to. But I think that if you LOVE races, you may find yourself getting a little kick just from being there. I know I always do. Unless you really, really care about your time, just have fun with it! This is supposed to be fun!
I'm not a runner as far as races go. However I do like to run. I have noticed though that if you stop doing anything it's hard to get back into it again. I agree with what someone said above the only training to running is to run. Even with P90X I still feel it's sometimes hard to run. I guess you're working different muscles. Good luck with whatever you decide.
Nothing wrong with combining the two, I like running when I can't be bothered driving to the gym. I just step out of the door and run. i'd ditch one of your races though, you don't need to many goals.
I think you can do both BUT if you feel burnout then it's prb better to step away for a while and do something different.. BTW I love weight training, I will be doing just that this winter!
Awe....I feel your pain. If it were me, this is what I would do. SInce you are already signed up for the 2, I would do them, finish them and get them checked off! Then I would give running a break for a while and see how you feel. Work up to 10 miles a week or 2 before the half in Sept. and you should be fine!!
Good Luck!
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