Know When to Hold or Fold
In the words of Kenny Rogers, know when to hold'em, know when to fold'em, know when to walk away and know when to run.
Do you know when to say enough is enough?
Wether it's training or racing, there can come a point when the enjoyment is gone..
You head out for your runs and each step feels so hard, 9 out of 10 runs suck and you never feel like you are improving, all you want is for that stupid run or race to be over with and to never have to think about it again..
Fold Em?
You ask yourself why am I doing this? Am I training and going just because I paid and signed up? Where's the enjoyment gone? This is supposed to be fun, this is NOT fun!
I can't speak for everyone, but I know that I have had these thoughts about training and racing in the past. There is no shame in allowing yourself not to go to a race, or take some time of training if your truly feeling like this is torture and no fun.
Hold Em?
But wait!! Let's talk this through. First of all have a good look at what is going on in your life at the moment. What exactly ARE you feeling?
Maybe you are close to taper time and you are just mentally and physically fatigued. This is ok because it's time to taper and recharge, you've been doing a lot of training so of course your going to feel this way.
Or have you been over training and peaked to soon? This is ok too, you most likely still have time to back it off, regroup and build back again. Or maybe you've gotten yourself in with some negative running buddies and it's emotionally draining you.
If the later if true, get out and get out quick!!! Running alone is better then running with some negative nellies.
The biggest thing for me is not to dwell on the physical or emotional struggle for to long. Acknowledge it, analyze the crap out of it then move on.
Know When to Walk Away or Just RUN
Don't wallow in the negative self talk, this is not going to help you will just take you down a dark path of self doubt and disappointment.
If you truly are done, and can't get the enjoyment out of the run like you used to, be kind to yourself, call it and take some time off.
Remember why you started this journey and what running was and can be again. Then you can come back with fire in your soul and the love of the run like you used to.
On the other hand, maybe you look in the mirror, take a deep breath, reassess, make a new attack plan, tell yourself, I WANT THIS, IV'E GOT THIS, move forward and push the negative thoughts out the second they enter your mind!!!
Whatever you choose be kind to yourself, allow yourself moments of weakness and self doubt. Them kick them in the ass and (in the words of Kara) Give yourself some Big Love people.
