Need some words of inspiration and motivational stories!

Nat · #1 27th May 08, 08:42 AM

Hi peeps

Having a lapse of faith at the moment, and seem to be losing my motivation. My jogging has been a bit sporadic recently given situations at home and I just can't seem to get the 'get up and go' to get out.

I you can spare a minute I'd love to hear how you get over these moments, if you have them, and about how you got through it to do your races/improve fitness/improve times etc.

Deflated of Cambridge

intriathlete · #2 27th May 08, 09:45 AM

look up the sydney olympics 10000 metres final on you tube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3c3wDNgiA7E

Trinity · #3 27th May 08, 10:28 AM

Nat... try and imagine not being able to run at all. I got injured in April 2006 and before that I used to have times like you're having now.

Suddenly I couldn't run at all, not just for a few weeks... for months. I threw away about 11 race entries that I had already booked into, including London marathon, Copenhagen marathon, a couple of ultras and numerous shorter races.

A year later after seeing so many consultants, NHS and private, of whom no one could find the problem, it looked like I'd reached the end of my running career.

I managed short runs and races but I would go out not knowing if my leg was going to let me run, or if it was, how far.

I regretted all the times that I'd missed a run because I couldn't motivate myself... what I wouldn't give to have those days back again!

It's over two years on from when I got that injury now and it's still not fixed, although I am able to run further again. I'm at the hospital again this afternoon, but first my consultant wants me to run until I get the pain in my leg, then go straight to the hospital for an ultrasound scan.

Today I am so grateful that I can actually go out and run a decent distance, although I am constantly monitoring how my leg is reacting so it's not as 'free' as it used to be. But I can always motivate myself because I know what it's like to not be able to run.

Nat · #4 27th May 08, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by intriathlete

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3c3wDNgiA7E

How do they do that?! :eek:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trinity

Nat... try and imagine not being able to run at all

Yeah, you're right. When I can't get out I moan, and when I can I moan because I don't want to!

Thanks peeps!

richardsimkiss · #5 27th May 08, 02:18 PM

We can all suffer from a lack of motivation from time to time... though usually I find that's about time to re-assess my goals!

Have you got any races coming up? Are you a member of a club? Have you got any weightloss targets etc? Any kind of goal that you can take small steps towards each day I've always found is one of the best ways of motivating oneself... getting out there each day, just because we feel we should, can quite easily come across as a bit of a hard slog (though admitedly, as Trin says, we should all be incredibly grateful that we CAN!)

Chin up... and get yourself entered for the forum social event, that'll give you something to work towards

Slowsteve · #6 27th May 08, 04:20 PM

STOP MOANING. GET OFF YOUR A*SE AND RUN.

I think it's called tough love

Hope it helped

Nat · #7 27th May 08, 04:52 PM

Yes, will get myself entered into a race perhaps, that'll help! Thanks Richard.

Thanks Steve - tough love works sometimes

calton1954 · #8 27th May 08, 08:37 PM

One of my best friends unfortunately suffers from Parkinsons. I know he would give anything just to be able to walk normally, let alone run. Seeing him makes me determined to make the most of the health I am forunate enough to enjoy.

Steve · #9 28th May 08, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nat

Hi peeps

Having a lapse of faith at the moment, and seem to be losing my motivation. My jogging has been a bit sporadic recently given situations at home and I just can't seem to get the 'get up and go' to get out.

I you can spare a minute I'd love to hear how you get over these moments, if you have them, and about how you got through it to do your races/improve fitness/improve times etc.

Deflated of Cambridge

Why not just put kit on and get out the door...sometimes just closing the door behind you and running a few steps is enough to get you going again.

If that doesn't work make arrangements to run with someone meaning you have to get out or else you'd be letting them down.

Not always easy to feel motivated I know...we all suffer from life's problems every now and then which makes anything difficult to get enthused about. Try to think of someone you know who is maybe worse off than you and think of all the good things in your life...you'll be smiling in no time and then a run won't seem so bad......hopefully!

headspin · #10 28th May 08, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nat

Hi peeps

Having a lapse of faith at the moment, and seem to be losing my motivation. My jogging has been a bit sporadic recently given situations at home and I just can't seem to get the 'get up and go' to get out.

I you can spare a minute I'd love to hear how you get over these moments, if you have them, and about how you got through it to do your races/improve fitness/improve times etc.

Deflated of Cambridge

Last year I had quite a few couch potato moments, but I realized that the hardest part was getting off the couch. Once you've taken that first step, getting dressed and putting your trainers on feels a lot easier and you can start to focus on your run. Getting up breaks the psychological barrier, so to speak.

If you need extra motivation, there's always the CNN "reveal" on Haile Gabrselassie:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCARH83vZpw
(parts 2, 3, and 4 are in the "related videos" section).