It’s something most runners come across at one point or another during the year. Some may call it a “rut” or a “funk,” but it boils down to our lack of wanting to run (or fill in other: yoga, bike, lift, etc). It can last a couple of days, weeks, or months… it just depends on how we are able to work through it. What works for one runner, doesn’t work for all… and what worked last time, might not work again.
This post is not a solution to the problem, just more of a look at how I approach the situation. I can only share what works for me… with that being said, it doesn’t always work for me.
I’m the kind of runner that likes to be “trained” for most of the year. I typically stay in the range of being able to run 15 miles comfortably throughout the year. There are points where I can get that number to around 20… such as last August and September when I was attempting to run 200 miles in a month. At that point, I was knocking out 20 mile runs like clockwork. But then October came and I had one of my lowest monthly totals ever, even with 2 half marathons.
The last part of the sentence is the key… “even with 2 half marathons.” That’s my answer… racing. I love it, I really do. There is something special about race day that seems to reignite my passion with running. In the month of October, I failed to crack 100 miles, but set a half marathon PR and ran another half dressed as Batman with friends. Putting races on the calendar throughout the year allows me to stay focussed and keep my legs moving. My weekly miles might not always be ridiculously high, but there are miles on there and having a date circled on the calendar, at any distance, keeps me motivated to get out there and run.
Having half marathons throughout the year allows me to continue running at a strong pace and keeps me running from month to month. It could easily be a 5k, or 1ok, but having something to train for or towards helps me stay motivated throughout the year. I will also use half marathons as training runs to build up strength and speed for marathons. I’ll typically run several of marathons a year… and trust me, with a marathon on the calendar, it’s hard NOT to stay motivated.
The perfect example of races being motivation for me is how quickly I decided to give Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona a go. It was NOT on my calendar at the time of CIM. It WAS on my radar though. Part of my being able to relax at CIM, was that I was already thinking about what was coming up next. I hadn’t committed to running RnRAZ, but was strongly leaning towards it. If I failed to crack 3:40 at CIM then I was going to give it a go at AZ. Since I did crack 3:40, I decided to keep building on that and do AZ even faster. Oh the joy of races. From one straight to another.
This is the point on the post where I repeat: what works for me, might not work for you.
I’ve been running for over 6 years and I in no way resemble the runner that I was when I started. Post-marathons, I was a mess for weeks. I was limping, struggling to move up and down stairs and couldn’t even fathom doing multiple marathons a year, let alone weeks apart. Through training, trial and error… and most importantly, learning from that error, I have become a stronger runner that has found comfort in shorter recovery times. If you take a look at my 2014 calendar, the year is filled with races at half and full distances. Although I have not signed up for all of them, you can see that there isn’t much room for down time. That doesn’t mean I will be training at 100% intensity throughout the year, I do need to rest… but it allows me to have some down time, but stay focussed on an upcoming race.
For me, having a race every month or two, keeps me going throughout the year. For you, it could be 2 in a year or 1 every season (Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall). Either way, try adding a distance you feel comfortable at running onto the calendar. You don’t have to register for it yet, but if you have it on the calendar in pencil, it’ll be a good reminder to keep getting out there to run… who knows, it may work.
Here are some races in the Bay Area that you might want to consider for 2014:
January 12: Foster City 10-miler (part of a 3-race series)
Coupon: Register for Foster City (before 12/24) and receive a $20 off code for Oakland Half or Full in March (details here).
April 6: Rock ‘n’ Roll San Francisco Half (FYI: sold out last year)
Coupon: on the 13th of every month, RnR has a $13 off code: LUCKY13
July 27: SF Marathon (2 half options, full)
Coupon: $10 off any event with code DSC10TSFM2014A19 – thanks @chrismalenab
Nov. 2: US Half (San Francisco)
Coupon: Early Bird prices here. Current price is $59-$69
How do you stay motivated?
My motivation is more inner spirit type stuff. I do love racing, but I’m a seasonal racer. Living in Alabama means that I stick to low mileage and very early mornings during June-September.
I started running years ago because of stress related sleeping problems. Running solved that immediate problem, but it turned into so much more. I run to relieve stress, to feel good about myself, to feel strong and capable of taking care of my students and family, to have “me” time. If I spend a few days without running, I’m a mental mess.
I’m also a diabetic which means in most races more than 5 miles, I’m stopping to test blood sugar or pee like a racehorse. My times are never going to be super fast and I’ve learned to deal with the “you’re not a serious/good runner if you’re slow” label. For me, just being able to run with the health cards I’ve been dealt is enough motivation for me. I’m young. I have many more years to deal with a cranky pancreas. I’ll run through every one of them ;-)
Thanks Katrina… running can be so many things to so many people. It is definitely an outlet for me on a weekly basis. Never let anyone try and tell you that speed equals being a “serious/good” runner. Getting out there is what makes you a runner. Not letting being diabetic stop you from running races is what makes you a runner. Being a BAD ASS is what makes you a runner. Speed has nothing to do with it… if that was true, then Usain Bolt is the only runner, because we are also SLOW in comparison.
Have you ever dealt with FOOT PAIN after running a lot? Like the perimeter of your heel? Just asking because it feels like I BROKE MY FOOT – however, this pain is NOT motivating me to go to a doctor, LOL!!!! I am stupid. Yes, I am. ;)
Yike. Foot pain = no good. You should make a video where you talk to your foot and it gives you attitude back and tells you not to eat tilapia. :)
My motivation is more internal. I really don’t need a race to get me out running although makes me train harder. I just love the way running makes me feel!
The internal motivation is definitely key… it’s US who has to make US get out there in the cold, in the heat, in the morning, at night… all the times we crazy runners try to do this.
internal, Baby.
and also the internal awareness LITTLE EYES ARE ALWAYS WATCHING.
very, very true… and those little eyes are just so smart. Soak it up like a sponge.
ohhh i like what miz said! agreed!
Thanks L… I think Mr. Cotter would agree that Mrs. Cotter is a huge motivational factor as well.
i LOVE racing too! i love the chance to compete against myself (and others!). while i never come in close to “placing” top 3 or 5 or even 10 or whatever, itz fun to compete against myself and still see my numbers compared to the other thousands of runners !
I’m always competing with myself as well… it’s a battle against personal time and improving on what we previously did.
My motivation comes within me. If I don’t have the motivation within myself, the motivation won’t last.
What if you motivation was a cinnamon-sugar covered beaver tail?
I never ran a race until this November (Las Vegas Marathon), but have been running since 2006/2007. I got into a slump earlier this year and then tried a new workout program (boot camp style / 5 times a week). I got some much energy from this new workout routine that I needed an outlet for that energy and I signed up for my first marathon. The training and the race really kept me motivated and I ran 3 other races since the marathon. I signed up for a marathon in mid-May, but now I am actually thinking of adding 2 more marathons right after (back to back to back) = running a marathon 3 weekends in a row. I think you can call that motivation.
LIKE A BOSS!
I try to set goals for myself. Sometimes they are crazy goals and sometimes they are very small and simple, but either way they keep me motivated and moving towards something!
It’s all about trying to reach goals… big or small.
I am with you here Pavey. No Racing = No Motivation. The race helps keep me focused and on point. I need a goal to drive me, and a race always does that! Whether it is a new distance, a new time, whatever. It works every time!
Especially when you are racing with friends… friends in tuts… friends in tutus that pose in funny photos… those kind of races. :)
This definitely works for me too. If I have a long run scheduled and Im not in the mood it’s easy to skip it if it’s just a random long run but if it’s part of a training plan and that race is soon I’m super motivated to rock it because I want to have a good race and sticking to my plan is part of that.
Racing has become a huge motivation for me as well. As dorky as it sounds, I have always wanted to be a runner. I was not athletic growing up although I was running around outside and on my bike all the time. I just was not successful at sports in school. ( yes…I was that kid that was picked last for teams).
Later in life I learned to enjoy working out and lifting weights etc but living in Texas had a hard time embracing running due to the temperatures. Fast forward to a couple of years ago when I moved to the Bay area where the temps are wonderful and views are killer. I went running when my sister came to visit and knocked out 10 miles in order to get across the Golden Gate Bridge and back and have been hooked.
In May of this year my husband pushed me out of my comfort zone by signing me up for not only my first race ever but a half and I loved it. This weekend I completed my 9th half in the past 8 months and am trying to plan out next year. :)
I’m like you – races keep me motivated. I did 14 this year so I didn’t really have time to be unmotivated, ha ha. Although it was kind of exhausting towards the end of the summer – I think there is a fine balance between enough and too much and 14 might have been too much. I may dial it back a bit next year…..famous last words, ha ha.
I feel like I’m the same! I absolutely love racing and it is what keeps me motivated to get out of bed at 6 a.m. on a Saturday to run. :) I don’t have many races on the calendar right now and that definitely needs to change!
I definitely find my motivation internally. I like having a race or something that I’m training for but if I feel like I’m constantly doing that, I get burnt out and it stops being fun for me. I’m always amazed by you and others who can race so much during the year!!
Congenital heart disease makes it pretty easy to stay motivated. ;)
I still consider myself a newbie runner since I started this past May so I haven’t yet really come up to a streak where I didn’t want to run. I’ve had days here and there where I didn’t want to, but not anything major. I do like to keep races on my calendar though – goals to strive for. Next year my goals include three half marathons and tackling my first full marathon along with 5ks and 10ks. I think those will keep me motivated!
While I have some amount of internal motivation and the support of my husband and desire to set a good example for my children, my main motivation is a race on the horizon. I have my race schedule for 2014 outlined and have a race or two almost every month. These range anywhere from a 5K to half marathon to sprint and Olympic distance triathlons. Great post!
I’m the same as you – I discovered the thrill of training for a race, and accomplishing that goal twelve years ago and I haven’t looked back since! Now that my daughters area bit older I’m ready to tackle a full marathon again. I just need a training buddy for that goal because I honestly do not have the intrinsic motivation for those long runs.