Motivation, help please?!

Dawn Cass

Hello, in a bit of a rut and could use a pick up.

Background...end 2013 / beginning 2014 I was firing 110%... First full IM, nailed it....marathon, half Mary, half IM...placed in all and PR'd. June 14 huge gains in FTP and run speed after OS. Sept 14 on tap for IM however injury got in the way so didn't do it.

Now back from injury...haven't really done much apart from rehab and swim sinceAug last year. Started beginner plans this May. Would say I am 90-95% healed from injury.

So now for my problem:
- fitness lost....everything is just difficult to do
- FTP much lower than last year
- run speed really fallen off...this is the one thing I couldn't do any of while in rehab

You are probably saying... "Well yes of course it would be"....and I am too however, I am finding this very discouraging and de motivating. It's not encouragement to "get back to old levels"... It's just disappointing that I can't do what was "easy" to do when I was top of my game.

Today's long run was part walk....pretty upset. It wasn't the injury...it was lack of motivation.

I am normally very self driven but feel I need a bit of a pick me up.

Any suggestion/thought from others if you have been here???

Kerrie Freeborn

Thanks for the post. I'm in exactly the same position - well, not the placing in everything you raced in, but definitely in the motivation deficit following injury. Can't wait to hear what the team thinks.

rlh2000

Not so much from injury, but I've had a lot of issues with motivation the last couple years as work didn't allow me to train the way I wanted. I am such an all or nothing person that if I couldn't do every damn workout, why bother? I think a similar thing can happen with injuries- if you can't perform or train the way you want, why do it at all? It's taken me a while to get to where I am just happy being able to do what I can do, and forgive myself for not being perfect or training the way my old self would. I found that inertia is quite a concept- when you are at rest, it is easy to stay at rest, but some activity can lead to more. I tried to make it a point to just get out for a 20 min run if that is all I could do, as doing SOMETHING was better and more motivating than another zero day.

rlh2000

(sorry just saw this is a micro thread!)

Patricia Rosen

I'm not a coach but since I work a lot of hours and have had multiple injuries and illnesses thought I might relate....

1.  Joy is the reason....  have fun with it... visit while working out... take a friend with you

2.  You can't get to every workout unless you have retired and have no family, friends or pets

3.  Sleep more, rest more.... over training will cause depression. 

Cheers!

(One thing that helps is to do something totally different (one hour a week) during your week such as in-line skating, pump class, yoga, instead of perhaps a run workout... it strengthens other muscles and helps your run/bike/swim to be easier)

Peter Noyes

I have the most fun and get the most mojo when I am chasing numbers and seeing progress. I am returning from injury as well, although a much shorter amount of time off. I reset my PRs wherever I could (My 920xt, Trainer Road, etc..) This really helps get back on the horse and have fun.

Mariah Bridges

I am currently injured myself and for me its smaller goals and finding the excitement and joy in literally the small things. Find something you can control and crush, even if its nutrition (something almost every triathlete struggles with) reading and connecting more inside the team (studies have shown the fastest way to cheer yourself up is to cheer someone else up) all of these things will strengthen your mental game and as you know, thats more than half the journey in this sport. Have IRON STRONG mental toughness and watch the progress.

As far as workouts goes- this is going to sound corny but even if I can only get in a couple miles (that use to bum me out bc it wasn't higher volume like I wanted or was use to) I now SMILE THE ENTIRE TIME I RUN- not just a happy relaxed normal face, overly smile, obnoxiously smile. You would be surprise how infectious that is to drivers, other runners on the road and even to yourself.

Keep at it! You're a rock star, we see it, you know its there.

Other option is a training journal- writing down thoughts, training times, goals, get out the emotions (the good the bad and the ugly) it can help.

moetai@gmail.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGflUbPQfW8

Brenda Ross

I can feel your pain. I had been experiencing a lack of motivation since the onset of this year, due to lack luster performances and then I found out I was iron deficient and vitamin D deficient. This really affected my running (chest pain, having to walk often), so until things turn around I just tell myself, something along the lines of what Rachal says above, just put one foot in front of the other and do the best that you can to get that workout in. I think that with each workout I complete I will start to feel successful, if not for being a rock star, but for finishing another workout. Eg. yesterday I went for a 10km run. I was happy because when I got home I had not stopped during the run, I had no chest pain and.......I did not have a huge coughing bout after the run. Success. Next up, race rehearsal this weekend. I am not going to focus on distance or wattage, but more on getting it done. Hope this helps

kimmydct

When I'm struggling, I lie to myself and cut myself some slack. So if I'm supposed to run X miles @ X pace, I'll "let" myself do whatever distance at whatever pace. Or even "just one mile". If I find mojo great. If not, and I end up doing just a few miles in Z1, it is something. Sometimes you find the mojo and nail Z4. I find I pretty much need to do this every time I run. (Mariah- Come run on my trail! Seeing your smiling face might help!)

You'll find it is easier to re-gain lost fitness vs. building it the first time. Your muscles will say "Oh, I remember this FTP!" and get there faster. (OK, so that's not EXACTLY how it happens)

Hang in there!

Jacklyn Moore

Coming from the coach and onto the road in the last year. It can be very discouraging to see what other people are doing and feeling inadequate beside their speed and effort. But the key is to just keep moving. Cut yourself some slack! You are a fantastic athlete that got hurt. We have all been there and we all go through it at some point. You are still an uber athlete. 

You know , from following other returning athletes, that the road to full recovery doesn't stop when you graduate from P.T. That's only the beginning. As I was told this week, "Take each day, each work out, each interval one at a time. You will be amazed at what you can do!" The key is to find the joy and smile in every work out. That's the reason you did it before. 

We are here to be your cheerleaders anytime you need it. You are not alone. I personally love early morning run/walks so I can listen to the birds and watch the sheep. Everyone has their thing.

~Jacklyn

Coach Patrick

THIS. TEAM. ROCKS.

Dawn Cass

Hello all, thanks for the comments!!

Kerrie / Brenda - always good to bond with someone in the same boat. Let's all hang in there and help to motivate each other. ;-)

Rachel - thanks and agree with you....it's actually easy to get out and do something on my side...it's still just "painful" to see my times!

Mariah / Jacklyn - Love the pep talk...keep it coming please.

David - Love the video....will be playing that one over and over for a smile.

Kim - Love the idea that the body will remember.....will hold you to that as my testing week is coming up soon.

Coach Patrick - agree 100%!

Stephanie Hartmann

I started running about 4 years ago and have never been fast. But I had worked myself to a few 11:30 minute miles and....then the injuries happened. Two bike incidents, foot issues, and now the hamstring. 14+ minute miles. Everything is a struggle. I hear you loud and clear, just don't give up. I get SO frustrated. I'm completely freaked out by the Oly I'm doing Sunday. Keep your head up and continue to reach out. I usually feel stupid for reaching out, but I'm always glad I do.