Firstly let’s talk about this picture, ah…
It’s so social media it hurts, here I am casually chilling against a tree with my book on sports bra’s, my carefully placed trainers and trying not to turn blue from holding my stomach in. The struggle is real.
Anyway, moving swiftly on. Oh, wait. No, I’m not moving very swiftly, but I’m moving. That’s because I completely lost my running mojo, I’m not talking a few bad run’s, I’m talking about the simple fact I wasn’t sure I wanted to continue running at all.
The only answer was to take a break, during this break I maintained my fitness but I didn’t feel any urges to head out for a steady 10km or even an early morning 5km. Where did my fire burn out?
Is it possible I put myself under so much pressure to run a certain pace and complete certain distances that running started to feel like torture and not pleasure? – Yes
I spent a lot of 2017 quietly wallowing, I switched my focus and I don’t regret it at all, I had to put my loved ones, mental health and career first.
However, it’s time for me to rediscover my love for running, I had a very enjoyable experience of ‘The Winter Run’ in February and slowly I’ve been building more regular running into my weekly schedule. I’ve also booked myself a 10km event in May, partly to encourage me and partly because I’m interested if my pace will improve at all.
To keep me focused, over the past few weeks I’ve made an effort to run with my Dad after work and got back into the flow of running without a watch, just for the pleasure of running and moving my body. I’m currently averaging around a 10/10.15 minute mile, it’s a long way from where I’d like to be but it feels comfortable and that’s all that matters.
What I would say, is if you feel that like me you’ve lost your running mojo consider the following:
*It could be that you need to reconsider your objectives? Are you overtraining?
*Maybe you just need a training change for a few weeks? Or to take a break and rest?
*Are you sleeping enough? Are you getting enough energy from your diet?
If you’ve taken a running break, I’d be really interested in how you re-started and any tips you’d like to share?
Katie
x
