I'm lost

[BamaEd1]

Hey WISH Team! I finished the WDW Marathon in January (Yea!!!) and I took my week of being totally "feet up" with no running. My problem is that I took the week and have turned it into a long time. I have run a little and can still do my 6 1/2 mile loop but I'm not consistent at all. Has anyone else been this way and if so, have you beat it and how. There is nothing in my area to train for except 5k's which don't fire me up at all until a 10k in August. I try to tell myself that I need to start losing weight for the Goofy next year but it doesn't work. I feel lost and need some help. Thanks, Team!

Ed

 

[windwalker]

Hey WISH Team! I finished the WDW Marathon in January (Yea!!!) and I took my week of being totally "feet up" with no running. My problem is that I took the week and have turned it into a long time. I have run a little and can still do my 6 1/2 mile loop but I'm not consistent at all. Has anyone else been this way and if so, have you beat it and how. There is nothing in my area to train for except 5k's which don't fire me up at all until a 10k in August. I try to tell myself that I need to start losing weight for the Goofy next year but it doesn't work. I feel lost and need some help. Thanks, Team!

Ed

That's tough Ed, but you have to do it. I have been an on again off again athlete my times. When I'd take a break it would turn into years, longest was 7 years. The last just ended just before I turned 50. I have been back at it for about 7 and a half years and know if I stop, I may not get started again.

The longer you are off the longer it will take to get your body back. Not only that you will never lose the fat cells you grow during your inactive periods so your body can refill them quickly without having to make new cells and that's why you can gain back weight really fast.

Good luck with finding your MoJo, let me know if I can help.

Been there done that Panda

 

[Steffwalks]

Yup Ed. Been there and Done that!

You just have to borrow Nike's slogan and "Just Do It"!

 

[FireDancer]

There is nothing worse than that first run after a long layoff but you just have to do it. Once you are back in a routine it will take less time to get back to your race fitness level than it took you to get there the first time. Some of the base you built up will still be there.

 

[jmasgat]

Ed Sorry about the lack of motivation--I can relate. I know the 5k may not be much, but have you thought about working on speed? You could train to run a "fast" 5k--which is a totally relative term since I am not a super-speedy type. That's what I did the first part of this year. The plan I used still had me doing some longer runs (6-8 miles), so i't not like it was totally short. After my race, I revised my training plan based on that PR and am doing the program again to try for another PR.--this time for a 10k.

Maura

 

[deekaypee]

Ed,

I've been there--tend to go in cycles. I try a variety of things.

I agree with the general idea of setting new goals and challenges. Speed is one. Maybe a trail race or urban challenge if you've got one. A duathlon? A new sport or something to keep your interest?

Do you have someone you can train with or even mentor? That might keep the interest up.

Sometimes, and I hate to admit this, I'll buy new gear. That forces me to use it or I feel guilty for wasting money. It's an extension of my gym membership mentality.

And this one I haven't tried yet, but I'm lifting it from something Frank said on the weekly thread..... do you have a trip planned somewhere, for family or work, etc.? If so, see if they offer a race while you're there, combining your trip with a race in a new locale. The change in surroundings might keep you training.

 

[hoosmi]

Ed-

I'm right there with you.

I printed out Higdon's Spring Training schedule- it's 12 weeks. I'm thinking that will get me through the bleak racing summer and hopefully get me in better shape for the fall races. I don't know if it's enough motivation without a race looming, but I'm more consistent if I have a schedule (you know, the guilt factor).

Oh, and I bought new shoes. They should be here in a couple of days. I'm thinking that might help.

Jen in GA

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I've found that training here with the WISH Team helps to keep me moving. I'll make it my goal to come to post what I've done, or even more daring for me is to post what I WILL do on a particular day. The weekly thread would be a good spot for that.

Getting out and starting is the hardest, but you will be proud of yourself when you find out you can still do it!

Let us know when you've got your motor running and you're heading out.

 

[Duanerice]

Dear Mr. Ed,

GET OFF YOUR BUTT YOU LAZY BUM! DROP AND GIVE ME 20!! THEN I WANT 2 LAPS - FAST!!

OK, I always wanted to be a drill instructor and that did feel kind of good.

If I don't exercise I will gain weight. I do not have enough discipline to not eat That's what motivates me. I am a lifetime member of Weight Watchers and have to weigh in at least once a month to keep my good standing.

I too didn't exercise much after the Goofy because of my knee problem but I had a few 5K's lined up and a half on March 1. So, I had to exercise within a week or so. The key is to have something lined up. Now that is getting tougher here in South Florida as our running season is just about over.

It is way too early to care about next years Goofy. But, there is a sprint Tri in Naples in June that I might try. I do want to ride the bike more. Just need to start swimming.

NOW GET UP OFF THAT COUCH OUT THERE AND RUN, RUN, RUN!!!

enjoy,
Duane

 

[Cruella de mom]

Hey Ed -

1. Make up your Goofy training schedule and have it start NOW. Every single maintenance run that you do from now until the "official" start of training is going to make the long runs easier, the recovery quicker, and the entire weekend of Goofy more fun.

2. Everytime you are tempted to blow off one of those maintenance runs remind yourself of how you felt at mile 23 of the marathon (or whereever it hurt most) remind yourself that THIS itty bitty run is going to make a huge difference in how you feel when mile 23 is mile 36.

3. Post this new training plan somewhere where you have to look at it everyday. My mom laughs because Dh and I post our monthly exercise schedules on the bathroom door. There it is staring at me first thing in the morning and right before bed. I hate going to bed knowing I blew off a run and some days thats the only thing that gets me out the door. On particularly bad weeks, my dh will write in some little words of encouragement (my favorite was "finish this run and we'll go to Outback")

4. Find a training buddy. I have two. I can't tell you how many runs that I would never had done if someone wasn't out there waiting on me to show up. Or how many runs I would have cut short if I was by myself.

5. Put new songs on your ipod. Don't allow yourself to listen to "running" music if you aren't running. For especially lonely long runs, I will download a podcast or two to mix things up.

6. Change it up. Drive somewhere new to run especially in the spring when the flowers are blooming.

7. Commit to yourself. Whether its a certain number of runs a week, or a certain mileage, or whatever. Tell yourself that you are going to do it - not because you are training your body - but because you are training your mind and your attitude.

8. Don't underestimate the power of a short run. After my first marathon, I tended not to "bother" with any run less than 5 miles. I figured I didn't need them. THen after a few months, I found that running was hard and I wasn't enjoying it. Stupid me, I was trying to run my longer runs without the maintenance runs to support them. I scheduled in a couple 2 mile runs each week and started feeling better almost immediately.

Its all in the attitude. you can do this!

 

[BamaEd1]

Thanks everybody. I made up my mind to "just do it." This week so far I've run 11 miles and done a great new push ups work out. Thanks so much for the tips!

 

[SamSam]

Way to go Ed!!!

 

[BamaEd1]

Thanks again for the tips, y'all. I ran 21 miles last week and this week, I'll get about the same distance; I've already done 9. I feel really good and, to get even better, I've started eating like I should so I've lost 6 pounds already! I feel so much better about myself.

 

[Sunshineminnie]

Thanks again for the tips, y'all. I ran 21 miles last week and this week, I'll get about the same distance; I've already done 9. I feel really good and, to get even better, I've started eating like I should so I've lost 6 pounds already! I feel so much better about myself.

Woo Hoo! Woo Hooo!

 

[aldisneygrl]

Ed - You need to come up here and do the Cotton Row 10K on Memorial Day. That way you have a goal, and you could see some WISHers too!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Thanks everybody. I made up my mind to "just do it." This week so far I've run 11 miles and done a great new push ups work out. Thanks so much for the tips!

Thanks again for the tips, y'all. I ran 21 miles last week and this week, I'll get about the same distance; I've already done 9. I feel really good and, to get even better, I've started eating like I should so I've lost 6 pounds already! I feel so much better about myself.

Whoo Hooo! Glad to hear this!

 

[BamaEd1]

Ed - You need to come up here and do the Cotton Row 10K on Memorial Day. That way you have a goal, and you could see some WISHers too!

I wish I could do that but I have drill with the National Guard that weekend. Working holidays SUCKS!!!!!!

 

[aldisneygrl]

I wish I could do that but I have drill with the National Guard that weekend. Working holidays SUCKS!!!!!!

Shoot! We would have LOVED to have you. It's a challenging course, but it is alot of fun. Maybe another year?