My heart just isn’t in it anymore.  I don’t find myself looking forward to running the way I used to.  I keep thinking that the next race is going to be the one that re-motivates me, but it just doesn’t happen.  APRIL FOOLS!!  Did I get you??  Okay, so I have to admit that while I have NOT decided to quit running, the rest of the things I wrote are not lies.  I haven’t had the same passion for running.  I usually get that way after the Spring or Fall running season and take a bit of a break (lower mileage) during the summer/winter, but I feel like I just started running again so I’m not sure why I’m struggling so much already.

Since Shamrock, I’ve gotten 3 runs in. 

They were all with Sam, which is great!  I LOVE having my running buddy back!!!  My pace is not where I want it to be and my patience is wearing thin but I’m going to *try* to stop being so hard on myself. 

I missed my long run last weekend, but it was Easter so I gave myself a pass. 

I have not been back to body pump for various reasons (stiff neck and headache one week, Steven had a migraine and I had to take care of swim duty on another occasion).  I also have not done yoga since the Shamrock race (laziness).

So tonight, I am coming up with a plan.  Those who know me best know that I love to make lists/plans so I’m hoping this will help me find my running enthusiasm again:

1.       Workout with a friend!  I am happy to report that I have my Sammy back!  Or I guess she has me back is more like it (I’m the one who had to quit running).  Our schedules are about to get even more complicated though with spring sports and busy weekends so I plan to reach out to other running buddies as well.  Having a friend to run with just makes it SO much better.  Chatting (when my breathing allows it) really makes the miles fly by.  Plus, you have someone to hold you accountable.

2.       Buy some new workout clothes!  This is always fun, especially with the change of seasons.  It’s amazing how great a new outfit will make you feel.  I bought one new outfit recently during a shopping trip with my daughters, but I plan to add (at least) one more.  Workout clothes are extremely comfy.  I would wear them all the time if I could.  Who decided we should all dress up for work anyway?  I think we would all be more productive if we were in comfy clothes all day.

3.       Set a routine!  I used to have this one perfected:

Mon – yoga

Tues – speed work

Wed – body pump

Thurs – hill work

Fri – off

Sat – body pump

Sun – long run

But sometimes life just gets busier than usual and it’s hard to stick to the routine.  I’ve also been extremely busy at work, which means sometimes I just come home and want to relax.  I need to figure out how to make it all fit again.  Now that the weather is changing, I have more options to run in the evening.  I’ve also changed offices at work so I am able to get in a little earlier, which gets me out a little earlier.  I’m still working on the routine (and the back-up routine), but I’ll have it set soon.  I highly recommend you set a routine if you are starting a new workout schedule.

4.       Read old race recaps/blog posts/Map My Run notifications!  Sometimes just reading about a certain speed session or race gets me super pumped up!  I like to look through my old Map My Run feed from time to time as well.  It reminds me of how far I’ve come.  If you don’t keep track of your workouts, I highly recommend it!

5.       Sign up for a race!  Usually all of the above leads to this one anyway.  Looking for the perfect race to run is fun.  I am signed up for the Cherry Blossom 10-Miler this weekend, the Hospice 5k next weekend, and I am thinking about running the GW Parkway 10-Miler again this year, which is 2 weeks after that!  Finding the perfect race can really motivate you to get moving!

Hopefully some of these tips will help you (and me) become motivated to keep up the hard work.  If you have any tips, I’d love to hear them!!  Please comment below!