Well, folks. I’ve gotta keep it real and tell you that the exercise thing . . . it is fizzling over here.
I was tempted not to mention it, keep plugging along and all that. And then I realized how fake that is. I don’t want to portray myself as having it altogether when I don’t, and right now, I just don’t. If it weren’t for my personal training sessions that I’ve paid for with regularly scheduled appointments to keep, I’m pretty sure I’d have totally fallen off the fitness bandwagon by now.
I’ve just lost all motivation to run.
I’m not sure when it happened or why, but I’ve been averaging one or two runs a week for quite some time now. I’m just not feeling it.
I know that at some point, I have to pull myself up by my bootstraps and just discipline myself to get out there even though I don’t feel like it, but there are so many other obligations pulling on me that I manage to make a reasonably sound excuse just about every time.
I did run four miles on Sunday, and I did it in 41 minutes, which made me VERY proud of myself. I thought I was getting my mojo back, but I haven’t been out since. It’s been hard with the first week of school and our schedule changing. I can’t go first thing in the morning like I prefer to do, and once the kids are on the bus, it seems like so many other things take precedence. I just don’t want to take the time.
I am DETERMINED to go in the morning. You’re gonna hold me to it, right?? The weather’s finally drying up, I’m getting into the new routine, and there is no reason why I can’t take 30 minutes out of my day to exercise. I know I’ll feel better once I’m out there and all day after that. I just have to force myself to walk away from the computer and the dishes and the laundry and as Nike says, Just Do It.
There are a few things inspiring me to get back out there.
The first thing I did when I realized my motivation was waning was to update my playlist. I don’t know about you, but the music makes ALL the difference. Here’s my most current playlist, in case you need some inspiration.
The other thing that has me excited to get back out there is my new Skora running shoes.
Skora reached out to me because they know that I like minimalist running, and they wanted me to try out their new line of women’s shoes, which they describe as “functional but also has a little sass”. I love that!
They sent me the BASE – WOMENS LT.BLUE.
They aren’t the most attractive shoe, but they are a lot better looking that the Vibrams that I normally wear to run. And they do have other lace-up styles, like the FORM that are super cute, if that’s important to you.
You can see all of their offerings on Activewear.com.
But what is really sweet about these shoes is how they feel on your feet. They definitely mimic the minimalist Vibrams but without the funky toes. I wrote about sometimes running in Nike Frees, and while I do like those sneakers a lot, they are not minimalist sneakers. You definitely feel more cushion and a higher heel in the Nikes, but not so with the Skoras. They mastered the anatomical fit that closely matches the shape of the foot. As they explain on their site:
The R01 platform also features a zero-drop outsole/midsole with minimal cushioning and a curved section profile in both the forefoot and heel. This allows for optimal natural movement and performance.
I really enjoy running in them and find myself going for them first every time.
They fit snuggly, but not tight. They don’t slip around, and they don’t give me blisters even though I prefer to wear them barefoot. Best of all, I’m not embarrassed to wear them into the grocery store if I want to stop and pick a few things up on the way home from a workout!
The only thing they can’t do is kick me out the door. If I’m going to get back to running 4-5 times a week, I’ll have to dig deep and find some good old-fashioned self-discipline. I have all the tools — great shoes, great music . . . all that’s lacking is ME!
Tell me your best tips for getting over runner’s slump! And if you have some song suggestions for my playlist, I’m all ears!
Linking up to Monday Motivation at A Life In Balance.
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I have an employee in my afterschool program who wears Vibrams everyday, all day regardless of whether or not he is going for a run.
Cute sneakers It is so hard to get motivated but now that the kids are back I am sure you will get moving. I know you can do it. You are my workout inspiration. You can do it.
Ha! I feel like I could be the author of this post. Not motivated to run lately – check . Working out only with trainer- check. 4 miles 41 minutes – check. I’ m running with you first thing tomorrow ! Race in ten days and I’m going to get out there
Oh my tip- there isn’t one except excepting that you’re doing the best you know how every day- a body needs a break – and that’s what you’ve given it – now lets go get ‘em – AGAIN:)
LOVE that you have Playing in the Band on your playlist!
I feel your pain with the struggles. A few months ago, I set myself a goal to walk 100 miles in a month. I did it and started feeling more energetic-then I got sick for a week or so and fell off the bandwagon. I am trying to get back on track-having a better go of it this week, but it is hard. Maybe go as soon as the kids leave ?
Yeah, that was my original plan, but so far it is just really hard to get myself going at that time. I am up and dressed in workout clothes already, so hopefully I won’t be able to make an excuse today!!
About the first paragraph of your post … I’ve found that there are just 2 different schools of thought with regards to personal growth. Some can look at others’ successes and be inspired, and some just get depressed that they’re not there yet, and fall back into their ditch of self-loathing. For me, I created a vision board. It reminds me of why I want to do these things, and to de-emphasize comparing myself to others. I also try to pick apart things/blogs/etc that inspire me, so I focus on the goal itself and why I am failing at life compared to this person. That last one is so easy for me, to forget that we are all individuals and grow at our own rates and in our own ways.
Yeah, that was probably disjointed. I can’t seem to explain why I think that was relevant but somewhere in my mind it made sense, lol.
I went back and took that paragraph out, if you’re wondering. I tried to clarify, and it made no sense, so I removed it, lol. Just in case you’re wondering!!
whoops … and *NOT why I am failing at life …
Sign up for a race…I pretty nearly always need some motivation…and I go with a BIG one…this time it’s the Goofy Challenge. And I’m doing it with Team in Training, so that keeps the motivation there, knowing that people are donating money to have me run for cancer research!
I keep meaning to sign up for the Stomp Out Cancer 5K in West Chester. I’m planning to run it. I need to go sign up right now!!
Here’s the deal. You have some big issues going on in your life right now that are not in your control or yours to discuss. So, that makes it harder to concentrate on what is important vs urgent. You will get your groove back, you always do. Trust in that. And in the meantime, if you can refocus important vs urgent I think you’ll be running more than ever.
Motivation comes from doing. Not from thinking about doing. But you know that.
Can I be honest about the shoes? No? Ok.
We’ll leave it at that.
Can’t wait to hear about your run in the morning!!! Think of me, I’ll be out there too.
I’m in the groove and you’ll get yours back. I took 2 years off – 2 years! But I am so happy that I got back into it (and got my hubby back into it as well) and just as I start feeling really good I’m sure I’ll be having our second baby – ha! But it feels great and music does make all the difference – I just made a new playlist last night. You go girl!
I registered for a half-marathon. I have to run, even when I don’t want to. I have also started doing some more intense workouts at home, for variety. You need Rihanna and Pitbull on your playlist!
For me, three things seem to help motivate.
1. Signing up for a race
2. Daily Mile logging website
3. A new coach
I recently got a coach, for the first time in my career. I have also started becoming more active on Daily Mile, and really trying to get my miles logged. I do, however, have no race I am training for at the moment.
I keep meaning to sign up for a 5K at the end of the month. I guess there’s no time like the present!!!
I realize this is a relatively older post, but I’m just now catching up on some reading.
Funny that you were unmotivated, because you are the very one that motivated me a while back. You said your trainer suggested you increase your running days so that the average is more. You also mentioned consistency was key. What you posted clicked for me. I decided to take off for my run from the bus stop at 6:15 and squeeze it in before my other daughter’s 7:15 bus stop time. It’s the most efficient way to squeeze exercise into my day. It’s still dark out, but I’m done, then showered all before 8:30! I’m on my 8th consecutive week now! I go for about 3 miles. The best part is the only other mother at the bus stop joined me on Day 2, and we motivate one another. See how that spreads? A trainer once told me a daily run is like flossing your heart.
Love this –> “a daily run is like flossing your heart.” I’m still kinda inconsistent but it definitely helps to plan to go every day.