Everyone, even the most enthusiastic of runners, go through it at some point; Losing your mojo. It’s a point when you just don’t get the enjoyment out of running any more. Every activity really takes an effort to lace up and head out to get the run in.
I’ve recently found myself in a similar situation. I’ve always been a very disciplined runner with my training schedule, almost to a fault. I regularly miss out on social occasions or events that might affect my training, it can come across as being unsociable but I can’t help being anal about my training. I get the most enjoyment knowing I’ve done a good session and have done what I needed to do. I’m not a person who needs encouragement and I don’t post many of my runs on Strava, usually just club runs or the social runs I do with other people. This keeps me focused, stops me showing off and doing silly things that could potentially end up with me getting injured and unable to do whatever it is I’m training for.
Not long ago I did the Engelberg 100K in the Swiss Alps, it had been my focus all year. As usual, my Strava was set to private and everything I did during the year was focused on this one event. It took place in August and it was everything I hoped it would be (if you’re interested in seeing more about it, check out the video on youtube). However, once the event was over I found myself in the common slump every runners finds themselves in once the focus is gone. At first I was grateful that the pressure was off and I could start to relax with my training, I dropped down my mileage and focused on recovery. I enjoyed pressure free runs, just running to whatever whim took me. But then a couple of weeks ago, I got covid. It started on the Sunday after a long(ish) run, my nose turned on the waterworks and by the following day it had fully hit me. I had feverish symptoms and struggled to concentrate on anything, I even missed the Monday club run that I normally coach (that’s when you know things are bad!). By the following day I felt a lot better and, guilty of missing a run the day before, thought I’d try a couple of miles. I felt great during the run but once I got home and cooled down I felt absolutely shocking! All my energy left me and I had to have a half hour nap! This behaviour continued for the following few days, every time I exerted myself, my energy went and I had to have a nap. This fatigue, in combination with a lack of focus, took it’s toll. I couldn’t find the enjoyment in running, my motivation levels dropped as well as my mental health. I felt depressed, demotivated and demoralised.
It’s a times like this, you need to distract yourself from the feeling and go back to things that remind you of where your enthusiasm came from in the first place. Sometimes, it can be a matter of signing up for an event and setting yourself a target to help crystalise some focus. Other times, it might be that you need the pressure taking off and just doing some running that makes you happy (running more socially, finding some new trails to run, etc). For me, I decided to take a bit more focus on coaching and re-read some of my old course materials and try to come up with some new ideas for club sessions. I took on a new client and put a lot of focus onto their plan and I really enjoyed the process. I carried on my running schedule just out of pure discipline (I’m very adept at ignoring the voice in your head that tells you to stop at home) and eventually, I started to come out of the slump. I found enjoyment pushing on some of my runs and the feeling of intensity returned to its normal enjoyment levels (afterwards of course). That coupled with some picturesque autumnal mornings, I began to find my mojo again.
Remember, when you’re feeling like this you need to press the reset button. Try not to dwell on the feeling and do something different. Push hard on a run, try a new workout, add something new into your training or take a run with friends. Above all, remember that you WILL get through it and before long you will be back to your shiningly fantastic self!
