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.
 |
| 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!