Is my MOJO dripping away? Is it a basic case of the "Blahhs?"
Last week, I ran 25.29 miles.
I also went to my Doctor. The systolic side of my blood pressure is creeping up. It is not above 140 on a regular basis but does approach it regularly. So I am monitoring it on a daily basis for a while. The Diastolic and the pulse are well within normal range. Gee! Another cause for personal concern.
I love to run. Running has added a regular facet to my life that was missing. I miss it so much when I cannot do it.
Recently, though... It sometimes is a pain to get going. I am an Einstein Runner (I need to know, follow and improve my stats). Getting ready for a run can become involved. Find the iPod. Find the Nike+iPod sensor. Get the gloves (my fingers get so cold), put the heart rate monitor on, Put the headband on. Get the water. Preparation seems to take forever.
I also enjoy the inside run. I have a 52" TV that sits in front of the treadmill. I can watch TV or watch a movie. Most of the time, I watch movies. It helps being a member of Netflix.
Once everything is set, started and ready to go, then I get on the belt and start the machine.
Most days are not a problem. But some days are so hard to get started. I like to start my run around 9:30 AM. I run at a slower pace, hoping that will solve my inertia problem. Eventually I speed it up and get a good run going. Then the mind eases up and I feel my wings. A run is good at this point.
After the run, I log the stats in my excel spreadsheet, then update my Buckeye Outdoors Training Log and my blogspot. I go back upstairs and download my iPod Nike+ system stats. It takes a while.
I set runs according to a weekly schedule. I want to get 25 miles in a week during the winter season. My long runs are on Sunday and are generally between 6 and 8 miles a week. The rest are run according to how I feel and what I am trying to acheive (which includes treadmill fitness programs).
Now... Why am I complaining? I tend to be hard on myself when my perception is that I have not succeeded. I have been thinking about last year and how I need to modify things for this year.
I feel let down that the treadmill I was running on suddenly died. The new one is great but it is not the old one. I was comfortable but am now learning a new machine.
I very deeply wanted to acheive 2,000 miles last year. It was a deep down necessary thing (I thought). When I realized that I was not going to acheive it, I was disappointed.
I know that nutrition is important to an athletic lifestyle. I know that I have been letting myself go. Little things. Not enough vegetables, fruits and salads. Too many breads and general carbohydrates. I have even stopped the daily oatmeal before the run.
The weather in my part of the country is cold. I have not been getting outside at all this winter. There have been a couple of runs but not to a satisfying level.
So. What does this overly large discussion of what is bothering me about running have to do with you?
I need some advice. What do you do to keep the inspiration level up? Could you bottle some of it and send it to me? Or, maybe, just let me know what works to keep you inspired? C'mon! Give it up (I would appreciate it)!
I also went to my Doctor. The systolic side of my blood pressure is creeping up. It is not above 140 on a regular basis but does approach it regularly. So I am monitoring it on a daily basis for a while. The Diastolic and the pulse are well within normal range. Gee! Another cause for personal concern.
I love to run. Running has added a regular facet to my life that was missing. I miss it so much when I cannot do it.
Recently, though... It sometimes is a pain to get going. I am an Einstein Runner (I need to know, follow and improve my stats). Getting ready for a run can become involved. Find the iPod. Find the Nike+iPod sensor. Get the gloves (my fingers get so cold), put the heart rate monitor on, Put the headband on. Get the water. Preparation seems to take forever.
I also enjoy the inside run. I have a 52" TV that sits in front of the treadmill. I can watch TV or watch a movie. Most of the time, I watch movies. It helps being a member of Netflix.
Once everything is set, started and ready to go, then I get on the belt and start the machine.
Most days are not a problem. But some days are so hard to get started. I like to start my run around 9:30 AM. I run at a slower pace, hoping that will solve my inertia problem. Eventually I speed it up and get a good run going. Then the mind eases up and I feel my wings. A run is good at this point.
After the run, I log the stats in my excel spreadsheet, then update my Buckeye Outdoors Training Log and my blogspot. I go back upstairs and download my iPod Nike+ system stats. It takes a while.
I set runs according to a weekly schedule. I want to get 25 miles in a week during the winter season. My long runs are on Sunday and are generally between 6 and 8 miles a week. The rest are run according to how I feel and what I am trying to acheive (which includes treadmill fitness programs).
Now... Why am I complaining? I tend to be hard on myself when my perception is that I have not succeeded. I have been thinking about last year and how I need to modify things for this year.
I feel let down that the treadmill I was running on suddenly died. The new one is great but it is not the old one. I was comfortable but am now learning a new machine.
I very deeply wanted to acheive 2,000 miles last year. It was a deep down necessary thing (I thought). When I realized that I was not going to acheive it, I was disappointed.
I know that nutrition is important to an athletic lifestyle. I know that I have been letting myself go. Little things. Not enough vegetables, fruits and salads. Too many breads and general carbohydrates. I have even stopped the daily oatmeal before the run.
The weather in my part of the country is cold. I have not been getting outside at all this winter. There have been a couple of runs but not to a satisfying level.
So. What does this overly large discussion of what is bothering me about running have to do with you?
I need some advice. What do you do to keep the inspiration level up? Could you bottle some of it and send it to me? Or, maybe, just let me know what works to keep you inspired? C'mon! Give it up (I would appreciate it)!
posted by CewTwo at 1:31 PM
10 Comments:
Having a race in front of me to train for inspires me. Period.
I have to get an MRI tomorrow -- so maybe no running for a while. :(
If I don't have a race to train for, unlike you I am A-OK with "slacking." Ha!
I recommend cross training.
I think buckeye supports downloading nike+ data for you automatically, check your profile. Plus the guy who runs buckeye imported my spread sheet I was keeping for me. That might make your logging easier.
This is a tough time of the year for most runners. I am sure your mojo will return with the Spring!
Nice treadmill btw
Sounds like you need a challenge, a race, Nike+ competition, or something similar to get you going. Also finding something you enjoy doing outside in the winter might help (I'd go nuts being cooped up inside!). If you're not into skiing, how about giving snowshoeing a try? I have a blogger friend up in WI who does snowshoe races during the winter. Sounds fun!
That's a lot of work you do for your runs!
My one constant is, I run 5X a week. I also never run inside so that makes it easy. 5 outdoor runs sometime during those 7 days.
The thing about running in the cold is thin layering. The one thing you have to watch out for is ice, which I know happens a lot in Colorado so you have to be careful. Not so much in DC. But compression shorts and a polyester set of leggings takes care of your lowers (along with polyester sox and good running shoes of course).
Uppers--(all polyester items) a tank top, a short sleeve t-shirt, a long sleeve shirt and a nylon windshirt and you're good to about 15 degrees. Add a scarf and a polyester fleece zip-up (18 bucks at Target) if it's colder or windy. Shed items and tie about your waist as necessary during the run.
I always wear a small fanny pack (I keep a camera in there, $20 and a small tube of vasoline, plus GU if I carry it). Polyester gloves, a polyester thin headband and a ball cap and you're done! Carry your half-liter water bottle.
What I have described is actually not that much stuff. Keep it all isolated, always, on a shelf dedicated to only that. You can be out the door in 5 minutes any day with one stop at the shelf.
You have ask yourself whether you're running to satiate your love of gadgetry or to love your body.
Of course, if I had that treadmill and a 52 inch screen and Netflix, I'd be doing the running inside a moviehouse too.
BTW, keep an hour or so free Friday morning, February 1st.
Lots of January Blahs going around.. on the blogs.. and around the neighborhoods where January sucks.
Mom always said, put one foot in front of the other and get going..
So that's what I'm doing... indoors .. because it is really really cold in Minnesota.
It is so inspiring that last year you ran more than 1,800 miles! You were really truckin' along. I wish there I was something I could say so you weren't disappointed. That is an amazing acomplishment!
Before you know it, you'll be back on top of your game!
For what it's worth, my advice would be to do what works for you. Get back to oatmeal before your run and just keep up the good work. Don't be afraid to try some new music on your iPod. You might find something new that gets you going.
Perhaps a Nike+ challenge would kick your mojo in the butt. If you create one, I'm in - even though you run farther than I could ever hope to!
A marathon training plan, sir? (per Maddy's blog comment)
I need to hear more about this!!!
I really thought I was the only one that felt that way. Thankfully, I am not alone. Not to breathe a sigh of relief because of that, but at least I know I'm not alone. I think it's a mental thing. Spring will come again, my friend. That's what I tell myself!
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