That does like a gorgeous place to run- if i liked running, that is! 😉

I think its pretty normal to go back and forth with being excited about exercise and thinking of it as a chore. I’m currently in the same “chore” state of mind and am really struggling to get my workouts in. I find that when I set small, very attainable goals for myself, I am super motivated and usually exceed them.

For example, I normally shoot to workout 4-5 times a week, but because of the holidays I’ve brought that goal down to 2-3 times a week. When I was still aiming for 5x a week, I was barely going at all, but now that I’m aiming for 2-3 times, I’m going 4+ a week. I know its kind of strange to try to mentally trick myself, but it works for me!

I love to see people training, but I have to be honest (and certainly in the nicest way possible) that I don’t think training for (another) marathon is the best way to get yourself out of a workout rut. Trust me, I’ve been there.

One thing that I have found, at least for myself, is that if I “switch it up” for an extended period of time (say six weeks) I find myself more motivated. In fact, I’m in the midst of an “anti-run” kettlebell/spin switch up and I love it. My metabolism is revved and my body is responding well.

While I have ran a few times during this anti-run kick, I am getting fast and better without really trying.

Just my two cents, looking forward to hearing all about the training!

Part of the challenge for me in the winter is the [Michigan] cold. I walk outside every morning (hot/cold/dry/wet), but I’m slower to start in the winter. I’m fine once I’m out the door – and reminding myself of that fact helps me get started. The other thing, which you mentioned, is to set your training plan. I work best with a big goal that is broken into bite-size pieces. Social workouts (aka class with familiar faces) and a workout buddy are good motivators since you don’t want to disappoint someone by not showing up. Shouting it to the blog world, too, should help. 😉

Put a moratorium on running and try something new, something challenging. My trick is to try something I don’t necessarily think I’ll be good at.

When I get in a workout rut, I have to mix things up a bit. That exercise bike is a start, but you may want to really spice things up some more–take some zumba or spinning classes, go back to yoga, find some fun workout DVD’s (www.collagevideo is a great resource, which lets you view samples of the videos). Or, take your usual cardio (running or biking) and throw in some intervals to make the time go by faster. Have you updated your workout mix on your ipod at all recently? Sometimes new motivating songs can help!

Jen

My biggest thing would be whatever you do, DON’T STOP! Even if the hours drop for awhile or you change things up, at least stick to the habit of doing something. I ran for almost a year straight in 2008, going from being able to run no more than 30 seconds at a time in January to running the Philadelphia Half Marathon in November of that year. But after it was over, my running buddy and I took a break to recover, got hit with a couple of bad illnesses over the next 2-3 months, and then just quit and in 2 years I haven’t been able to get back into a regular rhythm again. I wish I had never stopped, even if I did cut way back from the serious training we had been doing. Now I am going to start getting back into it again (once the snow here melts!) and I am starting from scratch all over again. My goal is to one day run the Disney World marathon, and I think if I get back into it NOW I could reach that goal for 2013. Just keep going, try some different things, but at least keep in the exercise habit so when th motivation does return you aren’t building back up again from the beginning.

I think that going through exercise ruts is absolutely normal! I think, first and foremost, its important to listen to your body (and mind), and respect how its feeling.
The ideas you brought up, such as making a training plan and using the stationary bike, are all great ideas… like you, I feel so much more motivated if I have a plan and a goal to strive towards.
I actually really recommend lifting weights, and focusing more on strength training. I’m a fairly small person, and I never imagined I would like building strength, but it is so empowering to me! I also realize that beginning something new gives me the energy I got from when I started running, and its fun to see myself progress.
I really think that the winter, in general, is just difficult to get out and move… after all, in nature, its hibernating time! I would just keep moving a moderate amount, but really listen to your body, and give it a rest… sometimes resting, even if you think you don’t need it, can be the best rejuvenator!
But remember: this, too, shall pass! 🙂

I’m pretty sure you mentioned you don’t attend a gym, but I have to say that it is good motivation for the winter. You may even find that there are some great deals in January you can take advantage of for just a few months until the weather balances back out. I always pick up weight-training in the winter and I love it! We do a fun fitness challenge with a group of women and one of the PT in our group creates a work out for us that we must do 2 or 3 times a week plus a bunch of cardio. If you are interested in joining our group I will send you the next challenge. It starts in January and is two months long. It is great accountability and there are women from all over Charlotte, Davidson, Mooresville that are in the group.

My advice, as always, is to hit the pool. It’s so peaceful (as long as it isn’t during swim lessons or water aerobics) and clears your mind. You’ll be hooked :).

maybe after taking a few days to a week totally off you will get restless and have a strong desire to workout again. It makes sense you are burned out after all that you have done in the past year. Maybe it’s your body’s way to saying that it needs a little time off.

Try new tactics for improving your running! For instance, plyometrics are proven to increase speed and endurance in runners, I always break up my routine with a day of plyometric drills, they are fun and I’ve seen improvement!

Oh man. I’ve definitely been feeling some of this since my marathon, too. For me, signing up for two halves (halfs?) helped. I’m focusing on breaking 2:00 for the first one, so working on spped is helping me with my workout rut. I’ve also signed up for a bootcamp for runners to work on my strength. When I’m *really* in a rut, though, and don’t want to work out, I try to either do a lot of yoga, because it doesn’t always feel like a workout to me, or take group exercise classes so that I don’t have to think about it and can just do it.

My advice is to give yourself a break. A phase is just that; it will pass in time and you will wonder where it ever came from as you breeze thru a 10 mile run. Stop and smell the flowers.

I also signed up for the Capital Half!!! Can’t wait to run a race with you. 🙂

I had the same problem when I first moved from Florida to DC. Winters are cold here, days are short, and motivation lags. One thing that works for me is doing weight lifting and/or cardio drills in my living room while watching TV. Perhaps you can bike during the show and jump off and do pushups, crunches, or other strength work during the commercials?

Hmm all, my suggestions involve outdoor activities. I love to rollerblade and play soccer. They help me workout without really trying. Perhaps signing up for a team sport? Learning something new and different could be fun!

What about taking a break? Do some yoga regularly, stretch and let your injuries heal. Walk a good half hour most days, enjoy the scenery and just let your body rest. Svasana is done at the end of yoga for a reason, and that principle can apply to your life as well. Sometimes just one day of “rest” isn’t enough.

I’m not crazy athletic or anything but I think doing “athletic” things that are also fun is key to keeping myself motivated. I’m talking about things like yoga, hiking, walking, climbing, etc., where you can see new places and try new things while under the disguise of exercise.

I don’t know how bad your injury is, but at least you can work out! I’ve had a groin pull from obsessive exercise since last February and literally can’t do ANYTHING. Some upper body stuff, but not even abs or any strength. I need to get an MRI, and who knows what happens after that.

I look athletic magazines or websites and envision myself looking like they do. Gets me out of the house within minutes. 😉

I got into a running rut in September (and I have been running for years) and just decided to stop. Really. Then I decided to try and challenge myself with something that I had tried before and never liked -yoga. And you know what? I LOVE it now. It’s a complete 180 for me in terms of the mentality of it, and I love that. So now I try to walk my dogs an hour every day and get to 2-3 yoga classes a week (I would go more often but it’s hard to work it around my husband’s schedule for him to be able to watch our son). I figure if I feel like running again some day, I will. If not, that’s okay too.

Whenever I am on a run and not particularly enjoying it I start thinking to myself how fortunate I am to have legs that work so well and allow me to run; how great it is that I have lungs that control my steady breathing; how blessed I am that I have access to trails or to gyms. I think about how lucky I am to have fancy running shoes and nice workout clothes. And I think about the sun shining down on me or the birds chirping above me. All of a sudden I am just completely filled with gratitude and I smile the entire run.

thank you SO much for writing such an honest post…the words in this post are a mirror image of my thoughts right now. i am in a complete running/exercise rut. i am still going to the gym and attempting to run outside but my body just feels uninterested and my mind is totally unmotivated. i, too, place a lot of value in being “an athlete” so i am simply not satisfied with accepting it/taking a break/waiting for it to pass. after thinking about it, i really think it’s a mental thing. when i feel good about myself, my diet, my body, and my every day life…i am naturally motivated and positive. because i’ve been feeling a little down and have been feeding my body more processed, sugary foods lately, i think it is affecting my body and my mind. for this reason, i am going to concentrate on eating better, spending more time with God, and doing other things that i truly enjoy. hopefully if i make these other changes, exercise will become desirable and enjoyable once again. just a thought?

I know how you feel! I felt like that over the summer- it was just much easier to skip that run or not go to the gym than it was to get the motivation to go.

One thing that worked for me was getting a new music mix. I am not sure if you run with music, but maybe downloading a new album will help!

Hope you get out of your rut soon and are back to feeling like your normal self!

Caitlin, you have got to change it up. Have you ever tried kickboxing? I LOVE it! It is so much fun and it goes well as a counterpart of yoga (which I know you love). I have to change things up or I get so bored. I love interval training too. I love the cardio blasts and then the rest intervals. I can’t wait to see what you come up with.

I recommend getting a few circuit training workout DVDs to spice up your routine–running can get mundane over time, so it’s always fun to switch it up with something new to challenge your body. I love Jackie Warner’s power circuit training, Bob Harper’s new Cardio Conditioning DVD (WOW! This one will work you HARD!), and any of Jillian’s Michael’s circuit training workouts. They keep things interesting and do great toning work.

Glad you enjoyed your Florida visit! Have a great Monday 🙂

“There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.” Yesterday it was 25 degrees in Chicago, and I went for a wonderful bike ride. I usually ride in a long sleeve T & a heavy sweatshirt, & a turtleneck scarf that is made of something like polar fleece. My bottoms are these awesome super warm athletic pants. The only thing that pulls me back inside are my cold hands, but I use cashmere lined gloves & I’m toasty. I can ride in this outfit for about 45 minutes even when the temperature drops to 10 degrees.

When I had a tight iliotibial band, I decided to vary up my workout. Truth be told – realizing that running would have to be put on hold for a bit really stunk, but it was necessary. Decreasing the exercises that put repeated strain on the hips to more core strengthening (PILATES!) has helped tremendously. I now try to balance out the running with pilates to prevent that burnout and injury. I second what many have said and spice things up a bit!

I’ve found that reading running magazines helps me. I read about other people doing amazing things and/or struggling with similar motivation/injury problems and it inspires me to get out there and run!

I also always find winter to make running or exercising so much harder. It’s cold outside and nice and warm under a blanket. Hopefully once the weather starts to get warmer you’ll back to your athletic self!

Those bike stands are awesome! I can’t wait to see more pics. That was a good present

Maybe you need a running/biking/yoga break. Maybe you’d be all thrilled about roller skating or body building! Woohoo! (Trying to engender excitement…)

I almost always sign up for a race when I feel like I’m in a rut. Once you get a plan in place, I bet you’ll feel better. It helps me a lot.

Exercise videos! I have been using Exercise TV online lately and love their 20 minute strength and cardio workouts. Sometimes I do 20 minutes, sometimes I do three in a row. Also, Collage Video offers great dvd’s at good prices.

That “Motivator” thing looks so cool! And only 80 bucks – so not too bad! I’ve never even heard of such a thing before, but now I wanna try it! You should do a review once you start using it!

Two thoughts:

1) Why do you think we might giggle at your calling yourself an athlete? You ARE an athlete! You are an endurance runner, a triathlete, and a distance cyclist. You didn’t get to be those things unless along the way you transformed from a casual workout person to an athlete. So there 🙂

2) I think you’ve already landed on the points (and possible solutions) to your rut. You are used to warm weather and now living in a real winter — even for those of us who do it every year, that’s enough to go ‘eh, not today!’ I think switching things up plus the ability to ride your bike in indoor comfort while watching movies, TV, etc. will add a nice, non-stressing way to get your fitness time in. It snowed here in St. Louis over Christmas and I really, really wanted to go run outside, but it was cold and icy. I voted against possibly landing in traction from a bad fall and instead hit my treadmill and watched “Christmas Vacation”, LOL.

Hang in there and do what you like at your own pace! Good luck.

It should probably bother me more when my “workout rut” starts, but I just embrace it. If that means I go a week without working out, so be it. Forcing it makes it so much less enjoyable and I have found I come back to it naturally if I give myself some time. Oh…enjoy your Five Fingers. They take some getting used to, but are fun!