“Hello! I’m writing here today to ask for your help. running was always one of my favorite parts of the day. I would look forward to getting my run in and it was always a great time to get out my emotions. But recently its different. I’ve been plagued by injury after injury and its starting to drag on my love for running. Running has almost become a chore for me lately. its hard to get up enough motivation to go for a run or to even think about running. I’ve tried changing up my running style, the time i run, the people i run with, I’ve even tried running alone but nothing seems to work. I was wondering if you have any tips or ideas on something that could help me. I would appreciate it very much.”
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Get a Coach
This is not only on the list because I’m a coach, but because I have a coach and it has given my running a renewed sense of purpose. The simple fact that someone is taking the time out of their life to prescribe me training and looking at my log is huge motivation. I want to do my best for them and for myself! Also, you mention recurring injury. Coaches can be a great tool to help an athlete who’s been having injury issues. An outside view (aka someone telling you what to do or what not to do) can be a good asset.
Get Social
Join the #runchat, #racechat, or other twitter groups. Check out TheRunningForum.com. Log your training and interact with other runners at DailyMile.com.
Sign Up For a Race or a Race Series
I just had an athlete finish up an entire series of races. Each event gave finishers points based on their placing and the number of other runners. This was a fun series as it gave more meaning to each individual race, as well as having a nice schedule of events for a number of months. He seriously enjoyed doing this and tracked his improvements compared the same races last year.
Take a Break
There is a quick and easy solution for people who have lost their love of the run. Don’t run. Go on a running holiday, give yourself permission to not run at all. Maybe within a week or a month you’ll find yourself wanting to go for a run. There you go, now you can go run 🙂
“If you don’t enjoy running, why fight through it? You need to enjoy running or you won’t be able to take on new challenges.” – Renato Canova
Slow Down
Honestly, the runs I enjoy the most are the slowest and most relaxing ones. The ones that my only concern is to “run easy”. I do track the distance and I do wear a heart rate monitor, but only view them afterwards for review. Slowing down and the below suggestion can both help keep athletes from over-extending and becoming injured, which you brought up in your question.
Buy a Book, Start a Training Plan
Having a schedule laid out for you so you can visually connect with the next 3-5 months of training can really help put things in perspective. I’d also suggest having at least one goal race at the end of this plan.
Triathlon
Back before I was a runner, I was a cyclist, and became bored. Adding two other sports into the mix led to new adventures in training and racing!
Do you have any other suggestions for the bored runner?
Have a question you’d like me to answer? Please contact me!