Recently, I have been in a running rut. It’s rare, but there are just times when I struggle to get out the door and even put in a mile or two on the roads. I tell myself that I’ll run later or that I deserve the time off because I worked out yesterday. Because I am surrounded by runners and coaches, when I am in a rut, the idea that I am struggling to get out the door is amplified. Even when I am telling my athletes the importance of consistency in training, I know in the back of my mind that I am not practicing what I am preaching!
Over the years, I have noticed a pattern to the influences or events in my life, and in the lives of the athletes I coach, that lead to running ruts. As a result, I have a few tips and tricks to help you get out of your rut. If you have a particular question, make sure to reach out!
The I’m So Stressed At Work Rut: This one is the worst. It’s ironic that I do the least amount of running during the outdoor track season. I am so focused on helping my athletes and getting the team to contend for league and state titles that I tend to forget about my own fitness. In the back of my mind, I know that I am a better coach, father and husband when I am running regularly, but coming off of the stress of the spring days is really hard!
As a result, my fix is always to run to or from work. I am fortunate that I live four miles from work so I can commute by foot. But I know other coaches who run from their jobs to the train or even park their car two miles from work so they are forced to get a little time in!
Over the years, I have noticed a pattern to the influences or events in my life, and in the lives of the athletes I coach, that lead to running ruts. As a result, I have a few tips and tricks to help you get out of your rut. If you have a particular question, make sure to reach out!
The I’m So Stressed At Work Rut: This one is the worst. It’s ironic that I do the least amount of running during the outdoor track season. I am so focused on helping my athletes and getting the team to contend for league and state titles that I tend to forget about my own fitness. In the back of my mind, I know that I am a better coach, father and husband when I am running regularly, but coming off of the stress of the spring days is really hard!
As a result, my fix is always to run to or from work. I am fortunate that I live four miles from work so I can commute by foot. But I know other coaches who run from their jobs to the train or even park their car two miles from work so they are forced to get a little time in!
The Post-Injury Rut: Unfortunately, we have all been there. An IT Band injury, Plantar Fascitis, Runner’s Knee, etc. have sidelined us just when we thought that we were rounding into shape. I distinctly remember getting close to the Boston Marathon one year and feeling a pain on the side of my knee. Next thing I knew I was walking into the National Zoo asking to use the phone so my wife could come pick me up because it hurt so bad! It’s the worst!
The fortunate thing about 99% of running injuries is that we recover from them to fight another day. As a result, in order to keep my fitness up, I do a lot of strength training and focus on the weaknesses that led to the injury in the first place. In these situations, I always call up Coach Adam and ask him for a training plan that can keep me fit while letting my injury heal. It’s a win-win. I have even talked to coaching colleagues who have had athletes run sub-4 minute miles on pool training alone!
The Post-Marathon Rut: For those of us who have run the 26.2 distance, the post-marathon let down can be huge. Not only has your body and mind made significant changes, but many times we just need a break from running! For many of our Windsor Running clients, we prescribe a 16-week marathon plan and that post-race break is well deserved. Training for a marathon is tough and when you cross the finish line, there is nothing better than taking some time for yourself. That being said, we can get into trouble when the week off becomes three and four weeks. I know I have told my wife: “I think I am going to take today off, I ran a marathon five weeks ago.” While half joking, in the back of my mind, I am (wrongly) still thinking about all of that fitness I gained over the training cycle and it’s probably still with me!
When I have found myself in the post-marathon rut, I always need to find another race to run. Even if it’s a local 5k, hopping into a race inspires me to work towards my next goal. I am almost always humbled because I think I am in better shape than I actually am and it is the kick I need to get back into training! I have also found that writing a training plan for my next marathon or half-marathon gets me back into the swing of things.
Below are some more solutions to getting out of the rut you are in. Let us know if you have any other tricks in the comments section!
The fortunate thing about 99% of running injuries is that we recover from them to fight another day. As a result, in order to keep my fitness up, I do a lot of strength training and focus on the weaknesses that led to the injury in the first place. In these situations, I always call up Coach Adam and ask him for a training plan that can keep me fit while letting my injury heal. It’s a win-win. I have even talked to coaching colleagues who have had athletes run sub-4 minute miles on pool training alone!
The Post-Marathon Rut: For those of us who have run the 26.2 distance, the post-marathon let down can be huge. Not only has your body and mind made significant changes, but many times we just need a break from running! For many of our Windsor Running clients, we prescribe a 16-week marathon plan and that post-race break is well deserved. Training for a marathon is tough and when you cross the finish line, there is nothing better than taking some time for yourself. That being said, we can get into trouble when the week off becomes three and four weeks. I know I have told my wife: “I think I am going to take today off, I ran a marathon five weeks ago.” While half joking, in the back of my mind, I am (wrongly) still thinking about all of that fitness I gained over the training cycle and it’s probably still with me!
When I have found myself in the post-marathon rut, I always need to find another race to run. Even if it’s a local 5k, hopping into a race inspires me to work towards my next goal. I am almost always humbled because I think I am in better shape than I actually am and it is the kick I need to get back into training! I have also found that writing a training plan for my next marathon or half-marathon gets me back into the swing of things.
Below are some more solutions to getting out of the rut you are in. Let us know if you have any other tricks in the comments section!
- Find a Partner! We’ve written about the benefits of running with a partner.
- Change you Focus: Try training for a shorter or longer race. You could also try a triathlon or obstacle race.
- Literally run errands. I have been known to get close to five miles a day in putting on my backpack and running errands. I am home faster to be with my family and I get my workout in.
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