The Week My Motivation Wandered

Yes, I am human and sometimes I do struggle to find the motivation to go for a run no matter how much I love it! This week I have been fine with structured activities like exercise classes or parkrun (obviously!), but when it has come to motivating myself to run, its felt more of an effort than usual. Its not something I am particularly worried about, as I said to my friend - I do a pretty good job of motivating myself the vast majority of days of the year! 
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MONDAY: Body Pump - I used the opportunity my slight reduction in overall running mileage has on my fatigue levels to increase some of the weights I lift in the class. I focused on the leg based exercises, trying to further build on the muscular endurance in my quads, which always seem to be the muscle group which struggles towards the final miles of my marathons. I must add, no proven science here as such - just my own logic!

TUESDAY: I did not feel like running today, and it really seemed like not having a plan to follow influenced my motivation levels just to get out and run. I bargained for a few steady miles, and as usually is the case, once I got out the door I enjoyed the run. Lincoln was bathed in a gorgeous sunset, which I set myself the challenge of running out towards and then up a near by hill to try capture it on camera before the sun fully set (see image - I succeeded!) This reluctant run turned into a really enjoyable 6 miles, which I should note to myself, was driven by a challenge which was not devised by a training plan!

WEDNESDAY: a faster 5 miles before another Body Pump class. 

THURSDAY: Body Attack class - this felt less of a shock to the system compared to my return last week. Feeling re-accustomed with the routines of plyometric exercises meant I could also push myself a little more. 

FRIDAY: Rest Day

SATURDAY: continuing on with my rather surprising parkrun performances post marathon, I managed to shave a further few more seconds off my recent 5k times at Lincoln today, crossing the line in 21:09. This also meant I finished as First Female; only the second time I have managed this at Lincoln, and at my home event it always feels a bit of a personal bonus and I love the support from the volunteers which really urges me on. This week's parkrun was the best I have felt since Berlin Marathon, and across the weeks it has seemed that gradually my body has been adapting back to coping with an 'all out' 5k. My splits were much more consistent, there was less of a final mile fade, and I did not feel like I was gasping for breath too much. It has taken virtually four weeks to reach this point, which emphasises that you should never underestimate what a marathon takes out of you!

SUNDAY: another dip in motivation levels today. It was a chilly and very windy morning, and as I was due to be running solo this meant there was no commitment of having to meet anyone. Therefore by the time I had finally ran out of procrastination jobs to do it was also persistently raining. Great. I told myself this run was a mental test more than a physical test; I needed to use this run to prepare myself for the much worse winter weather which is undoubtedly due to come when I actually start marathon training again. I aimed for 12 miles and even as I left my door I thought maybe ten would do... but despite the rain splatters making my thighs turn that familiar lobster pink colour, and the wind seemingly blowing in multiple directions, I completed my 12 miles in a comfortable average pace of 8.29 min/mile. I wouldn't say the run was pure enjoyment, but it was satisfying and I felt better for it. I say my motivation has been lacking this week, but on reflection I have not done too badly for it! ​