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How to un-quit
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 2009-08-15 9:40 AM |
Pro  4311   Texas |  Subject: How to un-quitI just finished what was easily my worst workout since Longhorn last year. I was supposed to go out and do a 90 minute run, but it didn't pan out that way. For the first ~30 minutes I was wrestling with apathy, trying to get the motivation to keep going and run the whole way. When I hit 28-29 minutes in, my brain just quit and I stopped and sat down on a concrete wall next to the sidewalk. It was the lowest feeling I've had in a long time and it made me angry at myself for quitting. I eventually made myself get up and start walking and I spent the next 30 minutes p*ssing & moaning about everything under the sun that's been bothering me. I'm sure I looked like a crazy person with the way I was ranting on the sidewalk. I tried to start running, but I had no motivation. It was completely gone, not even a shred remained. I walked home a defeated man, and I don't know if/when the mojo will return. I've plateaued in every discipline, almost every workout feels like I'm simply maintaining where I'm at instead of improving anything. In short, I feel like I'm going nowhere and I still have 2+ months of this to go. Anyone have any ideas on how to deal with this? I can't pull out of Longhorn, I'll hate myself for a long, long time if I do. But I'm seriously burned out right now. |
| 2009-08-15 9:52 AM in reply to: #2350285 |
Champion 5522  Frisco, TX | Subject: RE: How to un-quit Its the dog days of summer, the doldrums... What is happening is completely natural. I think, and I am no expert, that this is the time to suck it up. I picked up a book last night at B&N called Peaks and Valleys, while I have not read it completely, the essence of the book seems to be that the hard work you put in when in the valley makes the next peak all the better. If it is really a bad case of burn out then take a couple of days off and do something different with your spare time - go out to eat, go to a movie, heck, take your girl friend out dancing... |
| 2009-08-15 9:52 AM in reply to: #2350285 |
Pro 4827 McKinney, TX | Subject: RE: How to un-quit Sounds like you need a time-out. Or a break. Or find some way to make the training fun again. I have no idea how. Not much help, I know. Maybe sign up in a Sprint tri at the last minute and not worry about the time but just having fun? |
| 2009-08-15 10:00 AM in reply to: #2350293 |
Pro 4311 Texas | Subject: RE: How to un-quit KenD - 2009-08-15 9:52 AM Sounds like you need a time-out. Or a break. Or find some way to make the training fun again. I have no idea how. Not much help, I know. Maybe sign up in a Sprint tri at the last minute and not worry about the time but just having fun? Rockwall is next weekend, I'm signed up for that and just going to blow it out. |
| 2009-08-15 10:31 AM in reply to: #2350285 |
Master 4119 Toronto Bronze member | Subject: RE: How to un-quit Who's to say. It could be alot of different things or just one thing. You know, everytime I have a crappy workout I hate it ... and i get down on myself. But somehow I drag myself out for the next one. It usually is 100x better and I can keep going and feel good about where I am. x2 on the summer thing - the conditions definitely make me feel like i am plateauing or going backwards but rest assured if you're keeping up with your training (you don't have to push too much) that come fall and better conditions you'll be rocking it. |
| 2009-08-15 10:49 AM in reply to: #2350285 |
| Payson, AZ | Subject: RE: How to un-quit I would assess your overall mood. I find when I get moody it is cause I have been going hard at it and need a break. I take a day or two easy and am back in it. But, it could also just be a bad day and the next time you go work out it is fine and you have the best one ever. I would expect peaks and valley's in your training and that is where the mental aspect comes in of being able to work through those bad days. |
| 2009-08-16 11:03 AM in reply to: #2350285 |
Pro 4311 Texas | Subject: RE: How to un-quit I went out today and rode without keeping an eye on my HR, it was a nice change of pace. It's not a massive shift in my workouts, but it's something different. |
| 2009-08-16 11:31 AM in reply to: #2350285 |
Veteran 125 West Hartford, CT | Subject: RE: How to un-quit I had easily what was my WORST run last week. It was awful - 3 stupid miles and I could not do it - like you - I ranted the whole way home walking. Pissed off, and mad at my husband who insisted I go for my run at 4:30pm in 92 degrees so he could go biking at 6pm. I have not run since, I swam and biked instead. I am needing to do 9.5miles today and I am dreading it - afraid I will have another crappy run. I feel your pain. Fortunately my kids are so ILL BEHAVED this morning I will welcome the "quiet time". Take a break - I skipped my Thursday run thinking I needed to give my legs a rest. Hope today will go smoother  |
| 2009-08-16 2:21 PM in reply to: #2350285 |
Master 2158 | Subject: RE: How to un-quit I agree, it could be summer, weather, nutrition, work, etc. I find that I can get cranky if I up my volume or intensity too quickly. Take a look at your training and see where you can take it easy a little. I find that doing a treadmill run once in a while is a nice change of pace. Not as good a workout if you compare the same speed on a road, but you can play with the machine, watch TV, etc. and space out a little. However, if you rant while walking on the treadmill, people may get frightened. Of course, for most, the sight of me trying to do anything faster than 10:00 min miles on a treadmill drives them to the elliptical. |
| 2009-08-16 2:54 PM in reply to: #2350285 |
Extreme Veteran 694 | Subject: RE: How to un-quit I would like you to take another look at your yearly totals. It is people like you that keep people like me doing this. If you can not un-quit, then I will be hosed for sure. Actual training log for: JBrashear 2009 Training Summary |
| 2009-08-16 3:36 PM in reply to: #2350285 |
| Extreme Veteran 532 South Park, PA | Subject: RE: How to un-quit Just remember, we need the horrible workouts to know when we have wonderul ones. |
| 2009-08-16 4:41 PM in reply to: #2350285 |
Champion 10471 Dallas, TX | Subject: RE: How to un-quit |
| 2009-08-16 5:09 PM in reply to: #2350285 |
Expert 1170 Southern Pines, NC | Subject: RE: How to un-quit JBrashear - 2009-08-15 10:40 AM I just finished what was easily my worst workout since Longhorn last year. I was supposed to go out and do a 90 minute run, but it didn't pan out that way. For the first ~30 minutes I was wrestling with apathy, trying to get the motivation to keep going and run the whole way. When I hit 28-29 minutes in, my brain just quit and I stopped and sat down on a concrete wall next to the sidewalk. It was the lowest feeling I've had in a long time and it made me angry at myself for quitting. I eventually made myself get up and start walking and I spent the next 30 minutes p*ssing & moaning about everything under the sun that's been bothering me. I'm sure I looked like a crazy person with the way I was ranting on the sidewalk. I tried to start running, but I had no motivation. It was completely gone, not even a shred remained. I walked home a defeated man, and I don't know if/when the mojo will return. I've plateaued in every discipline, almost every workout feels like I'm simply maintaining where I'm at instead of improving anything. In short, I feel like I'm going nowhere and I still have 2+ months of this to go. Anyone have any ideas on how to deal with this? I can't pull out of Longhorn, I'll hate myself for a long, long time if I do. But I'm seriously burned out right now. Take a week off from any kind of training. Guaranteed you'll come back stronger. Maybe do some hiking, get a beach cruiser and tool around town, whatever--leave the electronics at home, don't record a thing, and remind yourself that this stuff is actually FUN. I'm not a coach, but plenty of them say/write that one of the things most amateur athletes sabotage themselves with is the inability to rest. Sounds like you probably need it. I've had a couple bouts of the daycare cold I caught from my 6-month-old, and I've been amazed that both times, after taking 3-4 days completely off any training because I feel like crap, I come back stronger. It's amazing what a little rest can do, even when you're fighting off daycare bio-weapons.  Edited by DrPete 2009-08-16 5:15 PM |
| 2009-08-16 9:48 PM in reply to: #2350285 |
Expert 937 Traverse Cityish | Subject: RE: How to un-quit Loose the HRM and skip your training plan for a week. Do some workouts, but only do what feels fun to you. If swim = splash around at the beach or in the family pool at the gym, so be it. Just free form for a bit and relax. Pick your favorite of the three and just go have fun. |
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