Before y’all think I’m renouncing my love for running, let me clarify: it’s not running itself that is frying me. In fact, I still really enjoy the sport! I had a blast trail running on Thanksgiving with my mom and Will and I look forward to taking Tals out on our ever-epic jaunts. I even look forward to the Crossfit WODs that have a running component just because I enjoy it much more than rowing.
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| Any day when my Mizuno Wave Ascend trail shoes come out is a good day! |
Instead, I think I am getting burned out by training for the long races. I no longer have the anticipation and excitement for the long run that I’ve had during previous training cycles. In fact, I have been dreading the long runs so much that I’ve…..kinda quit doing them.
In theory, I am supposed to be training for my 29.2 mile run in Haiti this January. My plan started out great and I haven’t experienced any issues with my knee. I was looking forward to following the RLRF plan and I cranked out the first 4-5 weeks with enjoyment. I worked my long runs back up to a 10 miler before my brain started to revolt.
Bottom line? I just don’t feel like dedicating the majority of my weekend mornings to running. At least, I don’t feel like it right now.
Does that mean I’m quitting running? Hell no. I still love it. I still plan on running three days a week, but currently, I just feel like running 3-5 milers on the week days and capping my weekend long run around 10-11 miles. In short, I feel like running distances that would accomplish a half marathon, and nothing more.
Originally, this disappointed me because I have yet to conquer the 26.2. The Denver Rock ‘n Roll in September was supposed to have been my first marathon, but then I hurt my knee. I spent a few months letting that heal before jumping back into training for Haiti, hoping that I would finally conquer the marathon (or marathon+ distance). I’ve thought this through and I think that description sums up the reason for my burnout. I spent months and months AND MONTHS training for races without any fulfillment. It’s been almost a year of training for longer distance runs without ever getting to actually run a race longer than 13.1. My dangling carrot has disappeared.
I’d never want to tire of a sport so much so that I quit it entirely, so I’ve decided to relax and allow myself to do what I feel like doing in terms of mileage. If I want to go long, great. But if not, that’s okay too. If I don’t run the entire 29.2 mile course in Haiti, that is 100% acceptable (Many of the volunteers don’t run the race at all). I want to remember why I loved knocking off new PDRs and how excited I was to train for a new distance. Once I get those feelings back, I’ll find a marathon that I’m excited about, and I know I’ll kill it!
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My burnout was so bad I took two entire years off from everything fitness related. I went from being a division 1 runner to not being an athlete at all. The pressure to perform and the failures I had were too much for me. I missed running so much though that when I moved I joined a club and started up again. Now if I start to feel burnout or too much pressure (especially during marathon training, my first one was very hard), I step back and make different goals. I like your approach, and I look forward to seeing how RLRF works for you!
Ditto for me… pretty much the same scenario…. it was like a job!!! Now I run for fun, I run with groups, I drink after with fellow trail runners… I just put the fun back in the run!
Yep!! The group I joined goes for 6 miles on Tuesdays, grab pizza and beer afterwards AND then we go to the bar. We used to have long debaucherous nights, these people are now some of my best friends. It’s how I met my husband!
I feel that we would all get along really well 🙂
As you know, you’re preaching to the choir when it comes to me. I could’ve written this post and actually will do my own version soon enough. Ups and downs come with life. We just need to make sure we actually listen to them and our bodies, right?
Sometimes training becomes more important than fun; I need to make sure I keep that in check.
If you are really going to train for the 29-miler, you might want to consider putting Crossfit on hold. When I was doing it hardcore, I had almost no desire to run many miles. It was a constant back and forth and I felt guilty for not running! Once I hung up Crossfit to focus on training, the running vibe came back. Just something that worked for me (even though giving up Crossfit was really hard!)
I’ve actually noticed the opposite with me; if I run too frequently, my body crashes and I get hurt. If I cap it at 3-4 runs a week with some intense (crossfit) cross training in there, I’m a lot stronger. This time around, I think my mental game is just not where it needs to be 🙂
I started to burnout while training for my first marathon. Then injurty struck and I wasn’t able to run. Now that I am able to start back up, I am taking it slow and one day at a time. I also switched up my cross-training exercises. I started getting bored with my regular old routine.
Hopefully you can bounce back soon!
I’ve never enjoyed running more than two or three miles. A couple of times I’ve tried to train for a half marathon, but I’ve realized that I just don’t enjoy it, and that’s okay! Sometimes it seems like I should, because “everyone” else is. But there’s no reason to force myself to do that when there are things I enjoy so much more. I would way rather spend 4 hours on a mountain bike or two hours in the pool than run for an hour. As long as I’m active and doing something I enjoy, that’s all that should really matter.
I think the fact you can place the issue directly on the fact you’ve been training your butt off but have gotten no tangible reward {ie: medal, race photos, tshirt…} for the work is a huge step!
Long weekend runs can be a life suck. Unless everyone else in your life thinks and acts like a runner its really difficult! Maybe with the next three months off you can fit more long runs in during the week? I know that helped me – knowing I managed to run 14 miles on a Tuesday while other people were stuck at work made me feel cool! But really, any distance you run in Haiti will be awesome, for you and for the cause!
I experience burnout in everything. That’s why my blog is set up the way it is. I finally decided to embrace my….we’ll call it whimsical…spirit. I believe in doing what makes you happy as long as it’s following a healthy path.
Yup, I got SO burnt out training for JFK that my taper was basically like “how about I just don’t run any more until the race”. Seriously even getting through a four miler felt like hell. Some people seem to be able to run every day year round and I envy that but it’s not me. That’s why now I’m easing back in and waiting until I feel that excitement again before running. There are plenty of other ways to keep in shape and I want to keep loving running so if that means taking breaks, so be it!
I had serous burnout after my marathon in July, it is getting better, but still seems a little off. So mostly I am sticking to easy shorter
For my last ultramarathon, I did a long-ish run on Sat (~3-4 hrs) and then another run on Sun (1+ hrs). Otherwise, I didn’t run all week. Just CrossFit metcons and lots of heavy lifting. I felt great during the race and never felt undertrained. Plus, all my runs were on trails, so it was always fun. Hope you can figure this out. I know you’ll rock Haiti. Make sure you rest and get plenty of mobility/massage.
Hmmm I’m intrigued! You felt prepared for the ultra?? Did ok?
I’m burnt out right now. I haven’t been able to get myself back on track since my half. I am not too worried though because after this week half of my xmas celebrations will already be over 😉 I think that the stress of the holidays is getting to me
Definitely know this feeling. I’ve not run for a couple of months at all now, cos I just can’t get motivated. Spending the time cycling and doing strength workouts instead. I’ve been feeling really guilty about it, especially with races coming up (gulp) so really comforting to see how many other people experience the same thing!
Definitely right there with you! I don’t feel guilty though– I just figure it’s a phase and it will pass!
i hear ya. Running four/five times a week is hard on the ol legs. I feel running twice a week w/ xtraining involved leaves me stronger & fresher. But, sometimes its not that easy. Im training for my 2nd marathon soon & ill need to put in the K’s…