I’m in a running funk. I don’t want to run, not even a few miles. I don’t even want to think about running. When I do run, I just think about how miserable it is and how long I’ve been gone and how long til I’m home and what torture it feels like. I dwell on how awful I am at running and how I could be using this time to do something else and how I’ll never get faster so why try? I’m sick of all my routes and tired of doing the same thing all the time.
Depressing, right? Stinky attitude. That’s why it’s called a funk.
What got me in this funk? I suspect it’s because I’ve willingly agreed (and paid!) to run 26.2 miles in October, something this body isn’t meant to do. I’m pretty sure it is meant to eat cookies and surf the web.
My mantra and outlook on fitness is that if I surround myself with fitness and with running it will stay in my life. But when you sign up to run a marathon it becomes another job. Marathon training can take over your life. (Wives threaten to divorce husbands over the amount of time devoted to training!) I have enough jobs. I need more fun.
It’s not fun to run in this sweltering heat wave that’s been looming over Wisconsin for the past few weeks. As soon as I step out the door I want to die. I usually feel happy when I see other runners out there. I want to give them a high five and say ‘Keep it up!’ But during the heat wave of fury, I feel sorry for runners when I see them out getting miles done. I almost want to yell at them and asked them what has possessed them to exit their homes on such a day.
I’ve bailed on quite a few runs because of the heat. That’s not good for the mental aspect of training, either. Runners know that you pound through some crappy miles because there’s always a good run around the corner, and that’s what keeps you going. I haven’t had one of those in a while.
I could also be burnt out due to overtraining or lack of rest days. We forget how important those are in our routine. Or I do, anyway. The rest days are an investment in our improvement. They are how we get better.
How will I get out of it? I’ve been on my bike. Lots. Biking is not an equivalent workout (burns less than half the calories) but as an alternative it’s keeping my cardio up while I’m not running. Plus, biking creates its own breeze. Less miserable than slogging along in the heat.
I’ve also tried new things. I joined Alicia and Tracey for a Body Pump class at the West Suburban YMCA. It was a fun workout and made me sore for the next 4 days! If you would like to try their classes, visit any of the locations and ask for a trial membership.
Finally, I talk about it. I ask others what they’ve done to get out of their running funk.
And then I wait.
So, have you ever been in a funk about running or lacked motivation to do your workouts? What did you do in the meantime, and how did you get out of it?
Tell us in the comments!
Anne, I am with Chaz over at Daily Mile. If you aren’t having fun take a season away from the marathon and come back to it later. Enjoy some shorter distance races and see how you feel next season.
Anne, Maybe you need something new in your running routine – a new route, a new playlist, something to get you excited to run. New shoes always motivate me to want to exercise! Boredom is the biggest hurdle for me to overcome with my workouts. Maybe that’s what it is for you too.
Anne great post, I have the hardest time getting out of a funk because I do not have any running buddies or someone up here in Appleton to yell at me and push me out the door to do a run. Especially when it is hot out, I can not handle the heat, at all. But now that it cooled down outside, finally, I am actually looking forward to running again. During my “funks” instead of running or going as far I offer to take my moms dog for a walk, not the same but I am still doing something, and the dog loves it.
Hope your funk is over as well
Just got over one. The Illinois Marathon defeated me and the Chicago 13.1 helped a little, but even still, I wasn’t ‘feeling’ Chicago until just a few weeks ago. It happens. From MY vantage point, I think you’re onto something when you address your lack of rest days. REST days. Not biking instead days. You need to rest. Physically and mentally. When you’re doing ‘fitness’ 6-7 days a week EVERY week, yeah, it’s a job. There IS too much of this good thing called exercise. But again, that’s just my opinion from afar, there could be more going on than that.
As for skipping the marathon, only you can make that call. Some people are 5Kers, some live for the half, some love the marathon, and other nutters live to go further. Don’t try too hard to be something you’re not. Maybe you’re not a marathoner (which is not to say you can’t run one – you have – just that maybe it’s not your thing). Personally, I fell in love with the marathon. Halfs don’t inspire me like 26.2 does. And 50Ks and Tris have no appeal at this moment (as much as I respect those who do them). I don’t run for fitness, honestly. I lost most of my weight riding my bike and doing burpies. I run to get better at running the marathon. When I’m not within 16 weeks of a marathon, I skip runs – sometimes for weeks at a time. And even when I hit my funk, it was the lure of exceeding my goal in Chicago that pulled me out.
MY advice, not one to skip races except for injury, is that if you’re NOT feeling the Lakefront, just run the damned thing for fun. Put on a silly outfit/costume, stop for pictures by the funny or inspirational signs, and just ENJOY the event. Forgetting the ticking clock is easier said than done, I know, but it just may be what you need to do.
Best of luck in whatever you decide. And for goodness sake, change that shirt, ‘case you got da FUNK!
Perspective is a funny thing. I trained to WALK a marathon – starting last October, with the marathon in May. I had a lot of days where I felt like I was no good at it – walking, something I’d done since I was about 1. I had to push through those times, remembering that I was improving, slowly. I didn’t finish the marathon in the “required” time; but I finished. I’m confident that you’re not “awful” at running. Your saying as much makes people like me think, “if she’s awful, what the heck am I?” But I do know that it’s a mental thing. You can’t stop the evil voice in your head from tormenting you. Consider taking the previous commenter’s advice and do the marathon for FUN.
Thanks guys, for all the advise and perspective. I’ve come back here tonight to take a look at all the ways I might get out of the slump. It’s taking me a while but I will not let fitness slip away from me. Thanks for your input and support.
You know, you can actually take about 10 days off before fitness starts to slip away. The habits might erode a little, but a break can be a good thing.