I'll try to answer.
Jodi wondered yesterday, regarding running, how I stay motivated. She said in her comment that while she was training for her 5K she did fine, but she can't seem to find the love any more.
Until I registered for my next race, I also found it easy to slack off. I remember telling Mr. Shrinking Knitter that I planned to run at least 20 miles a week after I finished the Country Music Half-Marathon – maybe even 25. That never happened.
I then blithely assumed that once I signed up for the Army Ten-Miler and the City of Oaks Half-Marathon, my training mojo would return, as strong and wonderful as it was last January when I started training for my first half.
But I had no idea how hard it was going to be to train in summer. I'd rather run outdoors than on the dreadmill, and the heat and humidity has been brutal. [The humidity is much worse than the heat. I was outside for a little bit yesterday afternoon when the temperature was 90°, but the humidity was so low that I felt like I could have done an easy four miles.]
Lately, though, I can feel the motivation returning as race day approaches. Eight weeks from today is the 10-mile race; the half is four weeks after that. My suggestion to Jodi is to register for another race. Plunk down the cash, find a good training program [I like the one at Runner's World] and get busy, baby!
I did a Google search for motivational tips and found a couple of sites, here and here.
I'm no expert, though. If you have other ideas, do jump in with suggestions!
I did a half-hour of weight training yesterday for my cross-training day and my shoulder and back muscles are yelping at me. I've quit using the four-pound dumbbells and am doing more reps with the eight-pounders. Still can't do more than two sets of 10 with the 12-pound ones.
The weather this morning is pretty darned perfect for running, and today is my long run – six miles at a 13:24 pace. It's sunny, but the temperature is in the low 60s. I'd better get going before Mother Nature changes her mind!
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2 comments:
thank-you for responding to my motivation question - i know its a matter of registering for another race but i guess i'm just not sure if that's what i want to do... is there something else that would interest me more? bootcamp? kickboxing? i dunno... i do agree, the summer has made me less inclined to do ANYthing outside, maybe once sept/oct comes - i'll feel like going for a run... :o)
I agree with signing up for another race for more motivation. This is exactly what I'm worried about once winter time comes along. I think there are a couple races in this area up until the end of Nov, after that nothing. Yikes!
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