General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Lost motivation after race Rss Feed  
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2009-08-18 2:03 PM

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Subject: Lost motivation after race
Hey all, I am new to tri sports and just ran my first 5k a few weeks ago. I hope to run my first triathlon in the beginning of next year, however I have lost a lot of steam since the 5k.

My race results were great (for me) however after the race, i slacked off a bit, then injured my back. I have lost a lot of my motivation to actually get out and do what needs to be done.

My food intake is still great, I have adjusted it due to laziness, but I am curious if this is somewhat normal, and what the best way to beat it is.

thanks all!


2009-08-18 2:27 PM
in reply to: #2356228

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Subject: RE: Lost motivation after race

If you haven't already, register for the race you plan to do.  Once your money is paid and the race is on your calendar, you have no choice but to start training.   Good luck!

2009-08-18 3:04 PM
in reply to: #2356228

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Subject: RE: Lost motivation after race
TRI2keepUP - 2009-08-18 2:03 PM Hey all, I am new to tri sports and just ran my first 5k a few weeks ago. I hope to run my first triathlon in the beginning of next year, however I have lost a lot of steam since the 5k.

My race results were great (for me) however after the race, i slacked off a bit, then injured my back. I have lost a lot of my motivation to actually get out and do what needs to be done.

My food intake is still great, I have adjusted it due to laziness, but I am curious if this is somewhat normal, and what the best way to beat it is.

Get off the internet and go train.Smile
2009-08-18 5:42 PM
in reply to: #2356303

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Subject: RE: Lost motivation after race
SevenZulu - 2009-08-18 12:27 PM

If you haven't already, register for the race you plan to do.  Once your money is paid and the race is on your calendar, you have no choice but to start training.   Good luck!



^^^^^^^   X2  ^^^^^^^^
A must for me to keep training and not just exersising for no specific goal.
2009-08-18 7:32 PM
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Subject: RE: Lost motivation after race

After my first sprint triathlon this year, I noticed that I felt really unmotivated to train about a week to 10 days after the race.  One day I woke up and found myself more unmotivated than I had been in months, and I couldn't stomach the thought of getting in a workout.  So I took a day off, then I felt the same the next day, and then a third day in a row.  I was surprised by how unmotivated I felt.  The feeling was so strong, that I was briefly afraid that that was the end of a very short lived triathlon career.  On the fourth day I felt the same, but forced myself to get in a workout anyway, and instantly felt better, and by the next day was ready to go again, and got my eye on another race.  I think that I was just so fatigued from my race, and hadn't allowed myself enough rest after the race, that my motivation waned.

Since then, I've completed two more sprints, a half mary, and a half century, and I found in each case that fatigue and lack of motivation sets in 7 to 10 days after a race.  I've decided to give myself those three days of rest, then get back at in regardless of motivation.  In each case, the rest is great, and then the motivation kicks in after the first workout back.

So given that, I echo the suggestion to sign up for another race, give yourself some rest, then get back in to a workout and see how you feel.  Since you mentioned injuries, be sure to take care of yourself, and take additional rest if you need it.
Erica



Edited by hussybowler5000 2009-08-18 7:33 PM
2009-08-18 7:52 PM
in reply to: #2356228

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Subject: RE: Lost motivation after race
Geez ... I must be strange. For me it is the exact opposite. I love to train and do so about everday. Racing ... I can take it or leave it, especially the week or so leading up to it. Mostly because it interferes with my training.

Normally, I am super motivated to work out even more following a race. I actually have to talk myself into taking some rest time.

I guess we are all different.

But as others have said, if its the racing that motivates you to train, go ahead and sign up for your next race. But remember, racing or not, its the training/exercise that's a vital part of a healthy lifestyle.


2009-08-18 7:56 PM
in reply to: #2356228

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Subject: RE: Lost motivation after race
I second those who sign up for races to spur motivation. I hit those lulls--and I don't need to race to hit one! I just find sometimes life overwhelms me and I can't find the energy to train. But if a race is on the calendar, I keep going.
2009-08-18 8:07 PM
in reply to: #2356228

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Subject: RE: Lost motivation after race
I had a similar experience after my first (and only) marathon.  I just had zero motivation to get back out and start training running. Instead, I opted to keep doing something by playing tennis for a few months.  But, for your problem, I'd really suggest finding something else to sign-up for like others have suggested.  I am not a "real" athlete by any stretch, but the thought of completing xyz event helps motivate me to do what it takes to see it though.
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