Half way point on my running route. Beautiful isn’t it?
That might not sound like anything exciting, but for the past year I have pretty much stopped running. I haven’t considered myself a runner in quite a while. Don’t get me wrong, I would still go for a short run now and then. I’d get on the treadmill and get a few miles in and would enjoy some Tabatas, but to run was mainly when I didn’t have another option and it was never fun. It always felt like I was running through mud. My legs felt heavy and I felt slow and every step felt like a chore to just get through. I couldn’t wait for the miles and minutes to pass. I’m quite ashamed to admit this.
After running a half marathon last Spring, I didn’t jump right back in, and for some reason, when I did it was wasn’t the same. The endorphin high didn’t come. I was bored. I wanted to be doing just about anything else. That’s not really a good thing for someone who is supposed to encourage others to get moving, exercise and live a healthy lifestyle. I wasn’t sure if it was a rut that just wouldn’t go away. Was it just in my head or maybe was I getting old? That was a depressing thought. Either way I didn’t give it much thought, but found other ways to get cardio exercise and the endorphins going. I will admit that I did miss enjoying a good run, though.
So, I’m hoping this “rebound” or new found “umph” for lack of a decent description, is here to stay. I’m already planning a new route for tomorrow. I’m just happy to look forward to running again.
There are some articles on getting out of a running rut. If you are in one you might want to check them out here. I’ll be honest and say I didn’t really instigate a plan for this and didn’t make an attempt to get out of my own rut. It’s like I almost forgot what I was missing – or I knew but just thought it was gone for good. So, I’m wondering and hoping it’s here to stay . . . and wondering if any of you have had the same experience. I’d love some feedback!
If you are a runner, have you ever had a break like this? Had a long rut? Did you make a plan to get out of your rut? Did it last? See, I have lots of questions!
And, Lang, you get the FrogFuel Giveaway! Yeah!!
Happy Monday to all!
YES….I have been and sometimes still am in a ‘running rut!’ I finally just accepted that the hour run I used to consistently do three times a week doesn’t have to be an hour long to be effective. I still run a lot but now I do speed intervals, stop and do step ups on a curb, do side steps up hills, run backwards, all kinds of things to make it more interesting. For the past few months, I’ve been running without music to try and work on my ‘mental toughness’. “They” say HIIT training is more effective than steady state cardio so I figure might as well break it up!!! Also, try driving to places you’ve never run before and just take off…variety, variety, variety!!! If you ever want to run, just let me know!! Mary