[kristine25]

I see posts here from time to time about lack of motivation. I guess it's my turn. I haven't been feeling that passion lately and go through my workouts like a robot. I think it's probably mostly due to the stress fracture issue and the freaking weather we have had lately. I haven't riden outside in months and the trainer is driving me crazy. However, lately I have been doing some intense 30 minute coach troy spinnervals which help alot. I haven't been running outside much. Mostly because I feel like the treadmill is softer and better on my healing stress fracture and it's easier to control my speed and watch my time for a run/walk combo. I haven't raced since July which is probably another big factor.<br><br>
I haven't even been posting here much which is ususally my big motivation. I took on the volunteer job of administrating and moderating my teams brand new forums. Getting that up and running and filtering out all the SPAMS that try and register is taking up lots of time and energy, more than I ever thought when I volunteered for the job, which leaves me with less time here which is a place that ususally motivates me.<br><br>
The good news is, in the last 3 weeks I have had the energy to drastically change my eating style from quick easy crappy unhealthy food (usually my kids leftovers!) to much healther, tastier food. I am feeling better and down from 166.6 to 160.7 this morning!!<br><br>
I may have to just grin and bear it and get outside for a cold ride this weekend!<br><br>
My ramblings are done!!

 

[Doug33]

I feel your pain, sister. The winter blahs are hitting me pretty hard, also. I, too, feel like I am in the robot stage. But, at least I am moving, and when the warmer weather hits I will be prepared to hit it hard.

 

[juliemboyle]

Kristine: I am going through something similar. Work once was a joy but now is a big problem <img alt="sad.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/sad.gif"><img alt="sad.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/sad.gif">......I am now commuting 15-20 hours per week and have to get up at 4:50 am to workout. Two days this week I overslept........um unplanned rest day. Then on the weekends when I would usually do my long stuff, I am tired and sleeping in later (swear part of it is being depressed) and feel guilty to do a long workout as I am not seeing my kids nearly as much as I was.<br><br>
So, I am just trying to be a bit easier on myself and do what I can do when I can do it. I am looking for another job where I can have flexibility again. I know once that happens things will get better.<br><br>
I also think that you can't possibly keep up the same intensity the whole year. It has to let up now and again. I am trying to put this period in a postive light, that doing other things (I did a power pump class at 5:30 am today) is a good rest and when the training kicks up again, I will be READY............<br><br>
winter blues are a little normal........you'll be fine and getting HW in no time!<br><br>
ps.....Congrats on the weight loss <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[Kate60]

Kristine, dealing with injury can definitely get you down, believe me I am still dealing with repercussions of my stress fracture from last September. That combined with the winter blahs is getting to me too. I am also feeling a little pressure as my HIM is only 3 months away and I may be injured yet again.<br><br>
Good for you for making some positive changes, I wish my weight loss was as consistent as yours. As Julie said is is hard to be super motivated all the time. Go with the flow do what makes you happy and hopefully when the weather breaks it will be the spark you need to get going again.

 

[Cashmason]

Congrats on your weight loss!<br><br>
Is it possible you are over trained and over stressed? Sounds like you could use a short break from training. And it may well be the weather too.

 

[kristine25]

It's definilty not overtraining!! With my stress fracture I have had to cut back alot!! I run 3 days a week (30-40 minutes) with a run/walk combo. I swim once/twice a week, and hop on my trainer about twice a week. Nothing like I volume I was doing.<br><br>
Thanks for the congrats on the weight loss. It's a huge thing for me right now!!! Doing it right, doing it healthy, trying to make a lifestyle change rather than a diet.

 

[Dougie Fresh]

Maybe it's time to fix it up and do something different?<br><br>
I was in the same place in Nov/Dec. I was just not into it. I let myself have some time off and make a plan to try some new stuff. I've been running and doing yoga lately, nothing else and I am feeling re-energized. I've vowed to come up with a plan that has me mixing it up every 4-6 weeks. I ordered some body sculpting DVDs and now I am excited to try them when they get here even though I know they're going to totally kick my ass. I am not convinced that because I am not run/bike/swim all the time that come August I am going to be worse off. I am betting I am going to be better off.

 

[Thor]

Good thing I waited to make a post, because after seeing Dougie Fresh's post, I've come to a slightly different answer...<br><br>
At first thought, I wanted to tell you to take some time over the next week, select a road race you could really get into to put on the calendar, and then sign up for it and recommit right here, to yourself, and to your family in a very public way. And you still could do that. But with your ever present injury, it really wouldn't be the same, even if you walked-ran the race no where near to your ability of pre-injury. And you still could do that, which I really think would help.<br><br>
But Dougie pointed out something else, and that is to find something that you can right now get into and get motivated about, which might be trying something new, such as a kick ass Yoga class, or something of the sort, one where you wouldn't risk further injury but one that may -- or may not -- help you in triathlons in the long run.<br><br>
Trying something new, I think, is your ticket. At least for now. Or maybe a combination of something new and a race, even one in which you run/walk. Or maybe get a non-running friend to commit to training for a 10K. You can run/walk through the training, and the pace should be light enough for you to do what you're doing now. So you may not be pushing yourself in the way you originally wanted, but you're helping someone else do it, and you're staying fit, and you're restoring your mental game for the next go-around once you are indeed injury free.

 

[SpartyGirl]

I wholeheartedly agree with Thor and Doug on this one. Be adventurous! Do the things that you haven't been able to do fit into your tri schedule. I know that I am loving trying new recipes, curling up with a good book and spending more time with friends.<br><br>
Congrats on taking some very positive healthy steps this winter<img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[Tri-Tammy]

And I thought it was just me Kristine. So thanks for putting this out there.<br><br>
Congratulations on your weight loss and your change in dietary lifestyle. That's such an accomplishment!<br><br>
Do you think you'd be cleared by CS and your dr. to go snowshoeing?

 

[Dougie Fresh]

I hope you don't mind if I indulge and dig into why I think something new and the thought of more new things to come is really motivating me.<br><br>
1) I am seeing progress in something again! I've only been doing yoga for three weeks and I am already seeing an increase in core strength and flexibility. Certain things that in Nov/Dec hurt to do (bending over for instance) hurt much less already. It's fun to see progress!<br><br>
2) I am enjoying the change of scenery. It's been the same old running routes, the same bike routes, the same pool. This is something totally different and it's been fun to explore and learn about yoga, asanas and the whole philosophy. I love that I am learning new things.<br><br>
3) I am convinced this is how I get over the hump and conquer my persistent injuries -- by strength training and flexibility. That has me excited because I just know it's going to make me faster and better come triathlon day.<br><br>
Beyond that, I've also stop training and started exercising. There's a whole new freedom to do new things that come with that. That too has me recharged. I wonder too if simply not doing much for those six weeks in Nov/Dec helped too. We forget to rest sometimes because we are so sure we are losing fitness when we don't work out. We forget that the biggest part of fitness is being injury free and you can't be injury free if you are not resting enough. Injury also means mind and body since they are one in the same. Something else we also forget.<br><br>
Namaste <img alt="wink.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/wink.gif">

 

[BethR]

Good advice for you posted here, Kristine. And, great job on the weight loss - so pat yourself on the back for that, and keep up the good work!<br><br>
It happens to all of us. And, the winter blahs don't help. If you're exercising indoors all the time, maybe you're down because you're not getting enough vitamin D, or are susceptible to SAD (my husband who is the most upbeat person you'll ever meet has it, and can get really low during the winter months if he doesn't take time to be outside).<br><br>
A lot of people are feeling it - seems like all I ever talk about with my friends is that we're working too hard and morale is down at all our jobs.<br><br>
So, at least know you aren't alone! When it happens to me, it usually works itself out eventually. In the meantime, get outside for some fresh air. <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[MBannon]

I don't know about Seattle, but the weather in Portland has been awfully depressing for the past couple months. First good sunny (and moderately warm) weekend and you'll be right back in the game. Until then, just tell yourself you're getting ready for that day so you can really hammer it.<br><br>
It's coming.

 

[kristine25]

Thanks everyone!!<br><br>
I totally agree with Doug about trying out new things. I am an avid cross country skiier, or was before kids came around, and with DH not working I finally have some time to get up to the mountain and get some skiing in. Problem is, the weather here is so bad, they pass over the mountain (the main connection between Seattle and everything east of here, Interstate 90, has been closed for a few days. I was suppose to head up there tomorrow for an all day XC day with a friend of mine but we can't get up there.<br><br>
I think our family is headed to Palm Springs in a couple of weeks for some much needed Vitamin D. I think that will help.<br><br>
I would love to try yoga but have tendinitious in my right wrist so bad I really can't put any weight on it, haven't been able to for years. I tried a new circuit training class at my gym but they had us doing lots of crab walk type stuff, can't do that either with my wrist. Maybe kickboxing?? Or a good girls basketball pickup game, that and skiing are things I love!!!<br><br>
But thanks everyone for some great advice!!

 

[LeftRightRepeat]

It's the dreaded Janufeb Funk. I've got a case too. I'm gonna get a growlight for my desk - try to soak up so additional photons or vitamin d or whatever it is you get from the sun.

 

[Heather H]

I think LRR is onto something here, seriously, the days are short, the weather is crappy, if you get it severely enough it's a real disease SAD (Seasonal Affect Disorder). But we're on the downhill end of it, soon it will be spring and we'll go back to day light savings, woohoo!!<br><br>
It's actually sunny here today so I'm going home early for an outside sunny run<img alt="banana.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/banana.gif"> (sorry if I made anyone jealous with that, isn't my intension, I'm just really happy to see the sun today)