You know that saying about the difference between try and triumph is a little “umph”? Or something like that? I’ve lost my umph. Where did it go? Can you help me find it?
I’ve been feeling adrift since SLO. I thought having no training plan would feel liberating. I mean I am a Slacker after all, I was looking forward to it, thinking it would be awesome. Yet it hasn’t been. My last few posts have talked of my lack of motivation and each one said the same thing- I need to get back on track. Obviously saying it means absolutely nothing. Want to know how many miles I’ve run in May? 26. Seriously!?? Ouch.
Work has officially hit crazy, and my hours got a little longer, like open to close. Friday is the biggest change, last Friday ran around 11 hours. However that should be no excuse to be lazy. Maybe I should just try to go to sleep earlier. Ok, that one made me laugh a little. What time did this post go up? I also need to work on my time management skills outside of work but that’s for another post. Anyways, time to hopefully actually follow through with what I say. So to that effect, I planned out a race schedule. With a goal race. So here we go.
May– Bands on the Run 10K
June– Talley Vineyard 10K
July– Rock’n around the Pier 13.1 and a possible 4th of July 5kAugust– Trail 25K
September– Central Coast Cancer Challenge 10k, HOB Fun Run 10K/ 5K
October– City to the Sea 13.1 (GOAL)
November– Big Sur Half Marathon
A race schedule seemed to work for me before, so let’s try it again. Since I really think my training plan for SLO worked, I am going to re purpose it for City to the Sea. That is also where I set my half marathon PR and I love the course…except they changed the course this year, so we will see what happens. Now, this plan is flexible, life does happen so I may adjust things if I have to. May, June, HOB and Big Sur are the only ones set right now.
Most of this was thought out after a truly lackluster weekend of running. I ended up napping on Saturday- again. Sunday did see my longest run since SLO- a slow 10K. I ran a 10:52 pace which is great for an easy run which was the goal. What was not so great was how hard it was. I was huffing and puffing the whole way, that pace felt more like race pace than easy run. Ugh. That was not confidence inspiring, but rough runs happen and we move on. But I was out there long enough to think of all the reasons I have been lazy and what I can do about it. I am 20 weeks out from City to the Sea and I am aiming for a 16 week plan. The next 4 weeks will be testing a couple of new weekly schedules out since this newest one isn’t working out so well. 🙂 Plus I need to figure out what works best with the work schedule. Running later in the evening makes it harder to sleep and now I have to get up earlier so that probably won’t work, but I will figure it out. I also need to figure out how to stop the stress eating that has been happening for 2 weeks.
What do you do when you lose your “umph”?
What’s your race schedule look like?
What do you do when you’re stressed?
Slacker Runner 
I’m lucky that if I lose my umph I have many highly motivating friends that will kick my butt into gear. I think getting back into a training plan will be good for you if that’s what worked in the past.
PS. I think I saw your umph heading to Florida.
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That is something I am lacking- real, face to face people to help hold me accountable or get off my butt. I keep scaring off any running buddies. 🙂
Florida- hmmm, time to hire someone to send it back.
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What you are describing sounds very familiar – it’s how I feel when I’m trying to take on too much all at once. I always have more success when I ease into things gradually. You have 4 weeks before you need to start seriously training; there’s no need to put a ton of pressure on yourself to be in beast mode until then. Maybe you can focus on bite-sized goals until then: this week it’s my goal to run at least 1 mile every day. It’s not a lot, but it’s something, and then next week the goal can be to run at least 10 miles in the week, etc. By doing things in little bits at a time, you can slowly get yourself back into the habit.
Good luck! Remember, we all go through slumps!
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My goal for the next four weeks is work on my daily schedule. I am debating between fewer days with longer runs or more days with shorter runs. That and run at least 15 miles a week. Baby steps! 🙂
Thanks!
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Sorry to hear you’re not feeling it lately. I think having a race schedule will help–think of the money you’re spending on registrations–now you have to train! Also, you’ve run 4 more miles than me this month, so no complaining! I see you’re on Nike+, what’s your username? We can be friends!
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I am hoping it helps for that exact reason. Of course, half of them aren’t paid for yet! Haha, I had to look up my username because I couldn’t remember! It should be SlackerRunner now. 🙂
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Found you!
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I only have one “race” on my calendar – Fairfield Half June 28th. I’m running it as a pacer (first time!) so I’m excited to take a different approach to the race. When I’m stressed I really like to go for a run and remove myself from all forms of technology. I think sometimes getting caught up with too much stimulation just only stressed me out further. That, or I stay in downward dog until I’m not stressed any more : )
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Running as a pacer? That sounds both exciting and nerve wracking, good luck! I admit that I have taken quite a few naps lately as a way to de-stress. Maybe I should use this as the final incentive to find a yoga class I can take. Or Youtube something. 🙂
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I go through ups and downs with running.. whenever I lose my umph I try not to get too worked up because I know it will come back in time. Reading blogs keeps me pretty motivated, and setting goals helps so I always feel like I have a reason to run. You’ll be feeling back on track in no time!
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I know it’s only been a month but it just seems like a longer slump this time around. Blogs are a pretty good motivator, I see all these fast paces and races and think I want to do that! Thank you!
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I’m starting to think that losing your “umph” is just part of running, and part of post-race blues. Signing up for another race definitely helps. = ) I’ve got a 10k in June, then shooting for a half in July as part of the lead up to the Ventura Marathon – having events to look forward to is keeping me motivated!
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Looking at the race schedule in print definitely helped. I hope it continues to work as incentive in the long run. Good luck with Ventura training! I thought about heading down there for the half again this year but Big Sur won that battle. 🙂
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That’s exactly how I’ve been feeling lately. It’s not easy when you’re working so much but you can’t work less and solve the problem that way. I think your motivation will hit you soon. What I’ve done recently to get my “umph” back is to put something in my immediate calendar that will light a fire for me. I’m a notorious procrastinator so I made a plan 8 weeks out from now that freaks me out and it’s working! I’ve been running every day since! (instead of trying to stay motivated for months until Marine Corps Marathon)
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Sorry you’re feeling it too. Work less would be awesome but I see more 11 hour days in my future. I am hoping that my race on Saturday helps kick start my motivation again. I am in no shape to race it but I am hoping for a good race and a fun morning. 🙂 I love procrastinating! Too bad I can’t make a job out of that. Good luck with your plan!
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It sounds like having some structure will be good for you – and having those races coming up will hopefully get you motivated to get out and run. I am in the opposite situation to you – no races in my future as of now. I think I need a break – and that’s probably what you needed to after your last half. That urge to run will come back so don’t be too hard on yourself!
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Who would have thought the slacker needed structure? Turns out I liked having a plan even if I changed it around too. 🙂 I thought a break sounded like a great idea too, or at least part of me did. It’s been a very off post race month. Enjoy your rest, after that marathon, you earned it!!
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When I lose my “umph” I try and re-evaluate my goals. I ask why and try to find the meaning again. Sometimes I let myself have a little break, but if I can find the meaning and the true goal then usually I get excited and motivated again. I HATE being stressed. I just try and tell myself “everything will be fine” over and over so that I can stay calm. and I make a ton of to-do lists! lol. Your race schedule looks great though!! I hope you can find your umph 🙂
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I have been repeating “everything will be fine” on an hourly basis! 🙂 I have lists and piles to keep me going. The true umph test will be Saturday with the first race on that list. It won’t be a race race but hopefully a good morning.
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I’m with you, it really helps me when I have a race on the calendar that I can train for. Otherwise it can be hard to get out of bed at 5am to run. Good luck to you!!!!
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Ugh, I don’t even think race training could get me out of bed at 5am. And with my commute and earlier start time now, that would be more like 4am. Ouch! All you morning runners are rock stars!
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Your race schedule looks awesome! Work has been a little crazy for me too lately because a coworker is out, but not nearly as much as yours! I hope you find your “umph” again soon. Honestly, when I lose that, it’s evident that I need to take a little break to regroup and try something different for a couple days. I make sure I get extra sleep and relax in that downtime. A couple days later, I feel energized and ready to get back at it! If you really don’t want to go for a run, it just adds to your stress and that “umph” gets hard to find
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Sorry you’re shorthanded! Sleep is something I need to work on, always has been. I’m a night owl. I am hoping to make this weekend a sort of reboot to see if it helps. I have nothing planned for Sunday not even running and that just feels awesome. I am going to intentionally ignore the ever growing to do list that day. I think I need to bury my head in a book for a while. If I choose to run then that’s awesome but nothing seems like the better choice right now. We’ll see what happens!
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Luckily my boyfriend motivated me when I lose my umph. The problem is when we both love it! Race schedules sometimes work for me, but sometimes I realize (in retrospect) that I needed that break when I lost my umph. You’ll get it back, I know it!
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Downside to being single, there’s no one to help keep my going. 🙂 May has been such an odd month, I am hoping that things even out a bit in the next few weeks. Fingers crossed.
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I’m a stress eater as well, which isn’t good for my stomach. My last couple of runs have totally sucked, so I understand how it doesn’t help the ego. You’ll get your “umph” back – maybe the minor rest break in training is just what your body needed!
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Customers aren’t helping, hehe. I had a conference call this morning and I came out of the office to find that a customer brought us donuts. It would be rude to not eat one right? Plus it just smelled so amazing. 🙂 I really need to work on my self control.
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I lose my “umph” if I have nothing to train for. I just finished my 1/2 marathon training, and am in limbo before my marathon training starts in a couple weeks. I try to motivate myself to get out there, but I just talk myself out of it almost everytime. So, a plan and goal races make me keep on it. If you find something else that works, please let me know.
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Yes, I have talked myself out of quite a few runs these past weeks. I am hoping that seeing the race calendar in print is the kick in the butt that I needed. Good luck with marathon training!
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