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Post-Marathon Burnout August 16, 2007

Posted by regivizz Run, Running, Trails Digg! this story! Digg! this story. , 7comments

I’ll admit it.  I’m struggling. 

It’s been 3.5 months since my marathon and I’ve run a total of 4 times. 

I didn’t run for a while due to a back injury I got while trying to put up new fence panels.  Somehow I managed to hurt it so badly that for the first week I could hardly walk, could carry nothing for several weeks and there was no way I could get out and run.

Then there was the burn out.  Running didn’t even sound fun.  Not.  Interested.  I didn’t want to force myself to get out there, because I want it to be something I enjoy, and I kept using that as an excuse.   And now, when it’s 100 degrees out, I feel like running again!  (Go figure!)

The desire is back.  Now, I’m dealing several issues, starting with the oh-my-goodness-I-can’t-even-run-a-mile-without-stopping syndrome.  Where has it all gone?  Aack! 

During marathon training, and when running just for fun before that, I was an after work/Saturday morning runner.  Now because it’s so hot, I’ve started running before work (on Tuesdays and Thursdays) and then my normal Saturday morning.  Change of schedule is hard on me.  Is there anything I can do to make those mornings easier?

I’m back to my trail.  During training I’d run at the lake (pavement) because every mile and half mile was marked.  Now my distances are estimates (can’t afford that GPS watch yet!) since I’m on a dirt trail.  I like trail running much more than pavement, so that helps me get out there.

Any tips on beating the post-marathon burnout?

Workout:

I’d forgotten August 11, 2007

Posted by regivizz Run, Running, Trails Digg! this story! Digg! this story. , 3comments

But I remember now…

How amazing it feels to get out and run at dawn’s first light.

The tautness of my muscles during the beginning of my pre-run stretch.

The smell of the dirt beneath my shoes and the water in the creek.

The crunch of decaying leaves scattered on the ground.

The sound of nature waking up under the canopy of trees.

The rays of the sun streaming through the branches and landing on the root-crossed trail.

The desire to beat the “I can’t go any farther” attitude one stride at a time.

The thrill of running right past the two “wimp-out” trail exits.

The gratification of arriving at the finish.

Workout:

New trail December 15, 2006

Posted by regivizz Fitness, Running, Trails Digg! this story! Digg! this story. , 4comments

I did four miles on a new trail here in the city!  The city recently put in this nice trail along the river, which is great except for the fact that hardly anyone goes out there yet, and it’s a bit in the ghetto.  But it is a few blocks away from work, so I have an extra half hour of run-time before the sun sets.

Thank you sir for dropping trou right there under the Robinson St. overpass.  I know you probably really had to take a whiz and your tire seemed so very right, but really, as I came over the hill, all I could think was that it was so very very wrong.

And Mr. Homeless guy, thanks for making me feel like I was running right through your living room.  No, you didn’t have to say a word, but the look you gave me….

And to the police on horseback that are supposed to be out there (some days?  some evenings?  maybe sometime next year?), it sure would have made me feel just a tiny bit better if one of you would have made your presence known.  Yes, even if it would have been on the other side of the river.

I think, just maybe, that I’ll forget about that extra half-hour of run time.