I still might quit blogging, but I probably won't be so fast to give up running. I just need to find my way back to my happy place. I'm frustrated because it seems that I take two steps forward, then one step back. I'm not seeing the progress that I want. But I think if I can measure success in some way other than speed or distance, I may be on to something. Generally, my goal at a race is to finish with a smile on my face and feeling strong. I think I need to take the same approach to all my running right now. Keep the pace and distance reigned in so that I can finish strong. Choose my routes to maximize smile time. Things like that.
Well, I had my first bit of success with this approach on Saturday morning. Rather than run the crazy hill route with my friend, we choose someplace where we haven't run for awhile. It's mostly flat, rather than crazy hills, and partly shady, rather than relentless sun. We also shortened the route and went 4 miles instead of 6. The result was astounding. I *almost* enjoyed it. Plus we managed negative splits (granted we started at a fairly easy pace), which allows us to finish strong. That, my friends, is how you turn a frown upside down.
Later in the day, we went up to Santa Fe to check out two of the 50 mile route options for the Santa Fe Century (more about that later). While we were there, we stopped at the Nike outlet. If I hadn't had such a nice run earlier in the day, I probably wouldn't have even wanted to walk into the store. But since I did, I decided to do just a little bit of shopping. I came away with a black featherlight cap which I already love, and blue dri-fit shirt with reflective bits. Score! Now I have something to wear on my next "fun" run, right?
Hopefully I'll be able to find my way back to my happy place with running. I wouldn't exactly say that I'm totally there yet, but I think I'm headed in the right direction.
How about you? Have any of you had to reset expectations and/or totally redo your training plan to find your way back to the love of the sport? Or maybe a little retail therapy to help find the mojo?
I have confidence that you'll regain your mojo! Running can be frustrating, time consuming and downright painful... But, I still find my "happy place" out on the road which makes it worth it...
ReplyDeleteRetail therpy ALWAYS helps- Lululemon thanks me for that...
You have already found the cure to regain your mojo: workouts in group on a different and easier path. We call it the "touristic runs" where we can talk and enjoy the places we run through.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful items: enjoy them. I hope that the next fun run will be great.
Working through injuries over the last few years has been tough, but worth it to keep running and getting back to a good spot. Don't stop!! Blogging either. There have been lots of times I've wanted to quit both, but I just keep on keeping on - even if it has been hit and miss...I always eventually come back to enjoying both!
ReplyDeleteRetail therapy is ALWAYS good. If I'm having a hard time with running, I have to take a break from training and just run for fun.
ReplyDeleteHope you can find your way back!
I find that when I'm in a funk, I'll stop tracking everything and just run to run for awhile. I also concentrate on why I got into running to begin with. Injuries suck and hopefully you'll get past it. As for the blogging, I enjoy reading your blog, and will miss it if you decide to quit, but do what you feel is best.
ReplyDeleteYou have had a tough time of it... so understandably Mo of Jo has been somewhat MIA! When I was training for my first (and only IM) I had an injury, then a crash so had to reset all my plans and expectations... moved my race date out couple of months (lucky) and set no goals in time just to enjoy it... so yes redo your training plan... and most definitely go get some retail therapy too!!!! :)
ReplyDeleteRetail therapy always helps. I have that same black hat and love it. I hope things keep looking up for you. I go back and forth with my love or lack of for running. Blog about other things. It doesn't all have to be about running. I like learning more about people.
ReplyDeleteI hope you don't quit either running or blogging! I've had my struggled with both, slacking with blog updates for over a week, and my running was in a slump for months. For me - I had to drop all expectations of myself, my workouts, my goals. I had to allow more rest days and easy days than I wanted without getting all upset about it. Keep finding the fun in it - be creative. And now that you bought new clothes - you obviously must keep running :)
ReplyDeleteShopping is always good for my running motivation. I hope you find your mojo soon and your knee is behaving. I enjoy reading your blog!
ReplyDeleteI always tell my children, if it's not fun, then don't do it. I'm taking my own advice. Not sure if I'll ever blog again.
ReplyDeleteI have nothing to blog about today as well. Actually I do, but I want to put a non-depressing spin before publishing.
ReplyDeleteI've been feeling like quitting blogging lately too. I think I will just step away from it for awhile...
ReplyDeleteI am going through the similar phase with running and blogging lately. I haven't been running lately, which means, I don't have materials to write on my running blog. :)
ReplyDeleteBut hang in there a little, especially the running part. I am not a fast or super good runner. I just put one foot in front of another and keep doing it. I can't seem to go faster. And sometimes, really, honestly, I am at a happy pace just running and finishing.
I think you will find that happy pace and happy place with running.
Don't give it all up just yet.