How do I like running again?

Question

Last summer I ran everyday, alone, and I loved it.

I sort of fell off the wagon this year. I could say it's because i had a busy year at school but that's really a bad exscuse.

Anyway, I'm going out running now and my endurance.. wow it's down to 12 minutes. Horrid I know. I am watchign my pace though, I'm famous for going out too fast.
Running has always been a mental game for me but last summer I was pounding the pavement and loving it. Now it's blah.

Basically I have the initiative, I'm training for university tryouts, but I absolutely dread running now!! It used to be fun, it's not anymore.

How do you pick yourself up from a rut like this? And how do you watch your pace?
I avoid running with groups at all costs, I'm to competitive and it turns to a race and me getting frustrated.

Answer 1

you sound like me i get into running ruts too. try to run in a new place everyweek, that will make things more interesting, also, start out slow . when you first start just go slow for 10 minutes than see how long you can last after that slowly build up yur endurance. alternate with fast running days and slow distance. make a workout plan. good luck!

Answer 2

I've run for years now, I've never gotten down to twelve minute endurance (ouch), but I have gotten stuck in deeps ruts before. Since you don't like running with a group, I'd recommend that you find a nice, flat trail, preferably in the woods, to run on during a cool summer night. People will not likely be around, so you don't have to worry about running to fast. Don't even try to work out. Just go out there, walk, run, just move for the sake of moving. This kind of run always helps me reconnect with running. It's why I started running.

To work on watching your pace and running with a group, make yourself stay behind the front runner. If you think they're going to slow, good! You won't have to work as hard. Make sure you stay behind them, not beside them at all. When you run beside them, you might start sub-consciously picking up the pace. That's bad. I would recommend you try to run with a group. I find it makes running go from horrible exercise to social fun! I usually cancel my long runs if I don't have anyone to run with(It drives me CRAZY to run that long alone.) Just enjoy the spirit of the run and hang back. Good Luck!

Answer 3

YOu have no discipline. YOu need to be able to separate your serious runs from your fun runs, and your success or failure in races will depend on doing that.

Group running is a wonderful way to cope with boredom AND to increase your endurance. When you choose to just run for the fun of it, it's almost effortless. It's okay to have serious track workouts, but the saddest story ever told is the one where the olympian ran his best time ever world record the day before the olympic finals.

Discipline. Good Luck

PS. Stay away from the lonely runs in secluded areas, and try to change your route and times so as not to be predictable.

Answer 4

the same thing happened/is happening to me. i loved running last summer and i ran like everyday and now im lucky if i run at least 3 times a week. i found it much easier to run with people though, if i set up times with people i feel like i am forced to go or else i am letting my friends donwn, so i suggest running with a group, it shouldnt always be competitive when your just going on a run, races is where you wanna compete.

Answer 5

Run at least 1 mile every day(or x # of times per week). On days you hate it, it's only 1 mile.

On other days it will be pure joy to do 5 miles.

This will really help to keep you "on the wagon".

Answer 6

My endurance is at 2:00. But I am trying.

Answer 7

do like cross country stuff as so much more fun or do running but do it randomly which is immense. all you do is go out running and go anyuwhere and when you get bored head back home