OCTOBER 2016

The Lack of Motivation

For those of you who might remember, in my June installment I outlined my objective to change my whole approach to my training methods heading into the summer.  Over the years I have fallen into a training routine that was going nowhere.  As summer approached, I had planned to change up my routine in the hopes of trying to beat the heat and humidity while making productive gains in my physical wellbeing.

Unfortunately, I have some disappointing results to report this month.  It has been said the road to hell is paved with good intentions!  I had a pretty good plan and started off heading in a direction I thought was going to produce results.  But minor distractions and setbacks derailed my plans about three weeks into my summer experiment.

I had planned to mix up my training and incorporate various fitness activities such as core and strength training and get back to running drills and speed training.  During the past several years, my running has been basically that – running.  There has been no variety to my training.  The runs have been similar is speed and distance -- very routine, very predictable and very boring.

What’s an old runner to do?

I knew going into the summer that the humidity would eventually beat me down.  I anticipated that and planned to combat it.  Just did not expect and unusually hot summer!

My new approach to training began with promise.  I was getting in a mix of drills, speed, core and strength training.  The month of June had me on the road a bunch, but that did not affect my running.

The “fly in the ointment” came when I had a minor medical procedure that required me to be off for a week from physical activity.  As my week off passed, the summer heat and humidity arrived!  My new routine was thrown out of whack and I never recovered reverting back to my old ways.

For many years, my summers had been my running “me-time” but it did not happen this year!  Where I failed in my quest to regain my running mojo was I lacked motivation.  It has been many years now since I had a race or special event to train for – something to give purpose.  I no longer have the competitive drive to put in the time to challenge myself.

Again, what is an old runner to do?

My glory days are well behind me, yet I still have a yearning to forge ahead and see what this old body can do.  I just do not have the motivation or inspiration to challenge my limits.  As a coach, I just do not have the time to devote to myself.  As an administrator, I am challenged in having enough time to coach!

Now that summer is behind us and cooler days ahead for the next eight months, perhaps there still is hope to change up my running routine.  It is pretty much impossible to effectively coach and train.  For the time being, my running will continue to remain routine while guiding my college-age runners to their optimal potential.

I am disappointed my summer plans failed.  I am thankful I am physically able to continue running.

For those of you who experience a similar struggle, my shortcomings may make a good example to have someone – like a coach – to hold you accountable.  A successful runner needs to rely on a support team that could be made up of a training partner, coach, manager, or just a friend.  Too many runners try to do it on their own.

If you are looking for serious results, build your support network. That way, if obstacles get in the way you will have someone to help you overcome them.  Good luck!