Well- that sounds a bit dramatic. The truth is, I had a great week except that I somehow lost all motivation to do strength workouts. I just want to run! Can’t I just run? No? DARN IT.
I’m linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Rundown (thanks, ladies!) Here’s how the week played out.
Sunday
I did Caroline Girvan’s Iron Series Day #29, a full body workout. Later in the day I did my new hip mobility exercises- I really think they’re helping!
Monday
I started the day with a 4 mile run.
Later in the day… hip mobility again.
Tuesday
9 mile trail run! As usual I loved being out there- other than a short altercation with a vicious vine that ripped up my legs (just a quick word of advice- stay on the trail, or you’ll be sorry).
Later in the day, I did Adriene’s runner’s yoga.
Wednesday
Hmm. I really don’t feel like doing a strength workout. I wonder what that’s all about? Just to mix things up, I did my own thing- a combination of upper and lower body strength, while listening to a podcast.
Later in the day, a 40 minute walk, AND hip mobility!
Thursday
4 mile run that felt great! I even threw in some faster intervals.
Friday
Once again- I REALLY don’t feel like doing a strength workout. I lay down on the couch after work, and came dangerously close to blowing it off entirely. Finally I got myself to do some shoulder work (think about that sleeveless dress for the wedding!) and some lower body. The danger with doing my own thing is that I’ll only do things that I like, and avoid the things that are hard for me- to counteract this danger, I did Bulgarian split squats.
Saturday
It’s Western States day!!! I ran 5 miles, and then watched the livestream of the beginning of the race.
I got to see the leaders climb the Escarpment, and then sadly, I had to go to work… but the great thing about following a 100 mile race is that everyone was still running well into the evening! I got to see both the men’s and women’s course records broken, and runners will be running all night while I sleep.
Sunday
On tap for today- more Western States. If you want some real inspiration, tune into the livestream at 1 pm EST for the Golden Hour, to see the last runners finish.
Later in the day…. a strength workout. Blah. Seriously, I have to get it together. I can’t keep making up my own workouts, because I just don’t push myself hard enough.
Any suggestions on how to get my motivation back for strength???
Are you following Western States?
31 Responses
i just read yesterday that some legend quit at 32 miles, brutal race even for experienced runners. i’ll check out for the last few hours.
since i left brasilia, i do zero strength which i know it’s not good. will have to do some body weight ones ASAP to avoid niggles.
Jim Walmsley dropped pretty early with a knee injury, I think. Very sad, but he’ll be back! I’m watching the livestream right now and it’s so fun. Lots of runners still finishing.
Hey I am all for doing the exercise you enjoy for a few days. No harm. However, I do also have some that are not my fave and would not do them if they were not in my my class.
Yes, there are some things I won’t do unless someone is telling me I have to! That’s why I have to get back on a program soon.
Low mojo = take a few days or even a week off from strength. Absence makes the heart grow fonder! You’ve been hard at it all summer and your body is just saying “give me a minute”. Ugh, I remember the grind of trying to keep strength going when all that I wanted to do was to run.
Okay well I can’t decide if you’re giving me words of wisdom, or being an enabler. Maybe you’re right though…
I’m sure you’ll come back to strength soon. There’s no reason to force it — maybe just keep up the arms. 😉
I find I struggle when I don’t have a plan, so maybe you’re feeling that after finishing the program you did.
Yes, I probably need a new plan. In the meantime I agree, I must keep up with the arms!!!
You really packed a lot into the week, even with everything feeling tougher than usual. It’s always encouraging to see someone keep moving forward, even when motivation dips. Hope the coming week feels a little smoother and gives you a bit more energy.
Thank you Renee!!! I appreciate the encouraging words.
Although I love upper-body workouts, my MOJO for core and lower-body has been running on empty in recent months. I do some 10-minute Peloton workouts for glutes/legs on occasion, and call it good, LOL (even though I should be doing more than 10 minutes each week). I tell myself all the summer biking suffices for the time being. At least you and I both know we could/should be doing more and aren’t in denial, right?
Good point- we aren’t in denial. I’ve definitely learned the hard way that I need strength work. Sigh…
I prefer to have someone telling me what to do when it comes to strength so classes of some sort work great for me. Does your gym offer any classes like body pump? Back when I went to the Y, that was my favorite class! I do like to strength train but it takes more thought and planning than running does, generally speaking. You can always just run out the door without thought to a route or distance and just see where it takes you – that is not as easy/possible to do with strength!
I know my gym does have classes, but I have no idea what they are! I’m sure there must be some strength ones. I don’t know… I always want to do my own thing, but then sometimes that doesn’t work. Maybe I should just take a page from Kae’s book and have ChatGPT write some workouts for me!
I also struggled to get in strength training this week. Well, just the whole week was a struggle because my dog passed last Saturday but I was able to get out for short trail runs everyday. But I had no motivation for anything else, so I ended up doing one strength workout and called it good. But sometimes we just need a break and it’s ok to dial back for a bit! You still got a lot of activity in!
ASHLEY. I’m so sorry!!! Of course you needed a break! Was this a sudden thing, or did you know it was coming? Either way- it’s so hard. I remember last December when Charlotte died, I had a couple days where I just didn’t want to move off the couch. Running helped, but I couldn’t get myself motivated to do a long run (much less strength training). Anyway… hope you’re feeling a little better. I know it takes time, and it hasn’t been that long. Hang in there.
Thank you! She was diagnosed with an aggressive oral cancer back in May (the week of my big race — my mom had to drive back to take her into the vet) so I sort of knew she didn’t have much time left unfortunately but it was still really really hard to say goodbye 🙁 I’m still just doing what I can to get through each day, our pets are truly like family so it’s tough to not have them in our lives any more!
Following up on what Coco recommended, make a plan and write it down. I think you’ll be much more inclined to follow a written plan. Maybe even plan it out to the wedding and then give yourself a week-long break from strength training (write that down, too). Good luck!
That’s a good idea- I’ll probably have to take a break the week of the wedding anyway, because I’ll be traveling and staying in an airbnb. Knowing that I have three weeks, and then a break, might motivate me to push myself now.
I am impressed with the amount of strength workouts you have accomplished. I would have burned out much earlier than you did! But then again, I’m the person who struggles with workouts that are longer than 10 mins long (I don’t have the patience for it!). It is too bad that we can’t just run ALL of the time!
I read your previous post about having a carefree week. What a wonderful break from routine!
Yes, that week was nice, and I’m a little sad it’s over! Still, I shouldn’t complain- it’s not like my normal life is super hard.
Do you know what exactly makes you unmotivated to do strength workouts? Is it anything you can work on, change mindset about?
My experience is you do it because you need to, and the motivation comes when you get the results. And I don’t think there’s anything wrong with doing your own workouts as long as you train all body parts. If you have a workout list that works, perhaps just increase the weights a bit to push yourself more? Or why do you think you don’t push yourself enough with your own workouts?
Seems like you’re getting a lot of good runs done though! And good job keeping up the hip mobility too. I struggle to remember those every day now.
I’ve had some epiphanies around this subject. I’ll talk about it next week, but I realized my strength workouts were making me sore, but not in a good way. Like my low back was bothering me more, and both knees were achy (from lunges? I’m not sure). I actually was feeling WORSE than before. So- that was making it hard to get motivated to do strength. I have to figure out a solution, because I can’t just give up on it. I’m trying to figure it all out…
Sounds like you WANT to run – so I say, go for it and enjoy the run! Strength will always be there and rather than burn out, maybe take a week or 2 off? Nice mileage this week in what I am sure was a hot one!
Oh yes, it was a hot week! I like your way of thinking, but I’m not sure strength will always be there- or rather, I’m not sure I’ll be there for it! I could picture myself taking a break and then never going back to it. But a little bit of a break might be nice.
That’s why I go to strength class twice weekly! Then I have someone telling me what to do. It works well for me, otherwise I wouldn’t do it!!
THAT TRAIL IS CALLING ME
Yes, I’m sure the real solution is for me to have a trainer, or someone leading a class. Right now I don’t want to spend the money, but I’m thinking about it. I know it would be a good thing.
Discipline > motivation unfortunately. I usually pick a (Peloton) program, so I know exactly what to do when… and I just won’t even worry about motivation (although I agree it always feels better to be motivated for sure!)
Yes, motivation is a tricky thing, and you can’t rely on it! Maybe I just need a new program???
I agree with suggestions to look into gym options as I feel like having a set thing on the docket where you don’t have to plan/think might be nice?
That said, Jenny… maybe just lean into what you want to do. You are in incredible shape and it’s easy for exercise to veer into a major burden/obsession. Let it be light and easy (maybe literally). You push yourself with exercise far more than the average person. Now, admittedly, you are ABOVE AVERAGE in all sorts of ways. But I think you need to give yourself grace to just do what feels good for a while. Maybe that’s deep, restorative yoga and more running and a break from the strength training?
I am so drained from this heat. Do the bugs eat you up on the trails? I can’t even pass by a bush without being attacked by some winged creature.
Hang in there. Winter might come eventually.