I've seen this floating around Pinterest lately and it really struck me today. Since the 20 miler my motivation level has been....well pretty low! I know this happens to me a lot after a big race that I have been training for. All the anticipation and then it's gone! I took the end of this week to just rest. Not necessarily rest physically (are you ever able to do that with a toddler...or even without?) but I needed the mental rest. A rest from the "I need to run". This week (since I have a half 3 weeks away) I am talking back to that voice that is saying to turn around and go home. I'm telling it to "Shut it!" because around these parts we run. And this week that is what we will do!!
Do you need a mental rest after big races? Are you telling that voice to "Shut it!" this morning?
I am 100 percent the same way. So I totally understand. I am working right now to tell it to go away! I hope you have a great running week!
ReplyDeletehahaha, i guess we're all going through some self-doubt huh? i almost had a nervous break down after my 10k saturday, so frustrated with my speed, so don't know if maybe mental rest is what i need??
ReplyDeletehang in there!!!
I am going to have to tell that voice to shut it! i am so over winter and here it is cold again this morning, makes me not want to go outside. Can it just be spring already? I took yesterday as a rest day so I HAVE to get out there today!
ReplyDeleteI get exactly the same way after a race, particularly if it didn't go as I had hoped. You'll be back to 100% soon!
ReplyDeleteI always need a mental rest after marathons, that's for sure. Good for you for recognizing it and doing something about it!
ReplyDeleteThat voice is very loud right now. My youngest has the flu and has to stay home from school today so I can't run my virtual. SO frustrating! If I end up with the flu and can't run my race tomorrow, I will know God is trying to tell me something!
ReplyDeleteI just want to run so bad I don't have a voice....unless that voice is my dr's :P but I totally know what you mean, as I feel like so many of my runs I have to fight it :)
ReplyDeleteGood to tell that voice to SHUT UP ! love it.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! A mental and physical rest is so helpful for me after a race. Enjoy a little down time, and you'll come back stronger! Your body may just be telling you it's ready for a little break.
ReplyDeleteGeez... I am normal after all, LOL! Everytime I've run a long race, my motivation has gone on vacation and have found it very hard to get back at it. I think a little down time allows the body and the mind to recover but, in my case, I have to limit that down time or it'd be too long :p
ReplyDeleteSadly, I have to tell my voice to Shut Up alot!! At least you can do it! Hang in there girl. A little down time and mental rest is always needed!
ReplyDeleteI'm the same way. After a big race, I lose motivation to rebound and end up slacking off for far longer than I should.
ReplyDeleteTell that voice to get lost...there will be an upswing:) A little rest isn't a bad thing. Then you will be ready to tackle the next race (which of course you will KICK IT).
ReplyDeleteLove it, that is just what you need to do sometimes, take the pressure off and get back into it fresh and clear-minded!
ReplyDeleteOh yes...always run into that after my halfs. I take a week off and then it's so hard to start back up!
ReplyDeleteI told the voice to shut it last week! This week is better and the voice is just a whisper :)
ReplyDeleteI think mental breaks are definitely needed - not just after a big race, but for me, sometimes its even during a training cycle! I try not to fight it, allow it to play out, and then usually find myself re-energized on the other side.
ReplyDeleteI wish that for you Nancy!!
i agree about the motivation thing after big races. my problem is that i get scared to lay off for fear i will never regain motivation and thats usually when i get injured because i DIDNT rest. goal for 2012 is to work on that.
ReplyDeleteI'm almost the opposite, the high after running a race makes me so motivated to keep it up and improve. If it was great I just want to carry that momentum forward and if it was crappy I work harder to improve for next time.
ReplyDeleteI totally had to tell this voice to shut it today. I just wanted to be lazy. This will be my highest mileage week ever so I will most likely be telling that voice to shut it a few times. Happy Monday! Good for your for getting out there.
ReplyDeletei totally need that mental voice to shut it! after miami i was yelling at it almost daily. lol!
ReplyDeleteI've had to learn some mantras to repeat when that little voice starts to pop up. I probably look like a lunatic muttering "Go for it, you got this" under my breath, but oh well :)
ReplyDeleteI'll do take it easy after a big race, but even more important for me is the mental break BEFORE a training cycle for a big race. I don't run for a week or two, which then makes me hungry to start a training :)
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