How do you rekindle the passion?

By investing in a fleshlight.

I'm in a similar situation. I've been injured for the better part of the past year after having almost 5 years of injury-free running and progress through high school. Had a bad frosh xc season, was on the upswing going into indoors, and got injured. Managed two injury free seasons of mediocre performances. It can be hard to keep that same drive to pour effort out at all times when you don't see results.

I'd suggest taking it easy for a bit, make sure you don't re-injure yourself. Then find a goal that excites you, whether it be a time, place, race to qualify for, whatever. Find something that amps you up when you envision it, and focus your energy on it.

I might try to enter some road races over the summer if I were you. Just little runs you can use as tempo's or whatever. Build up some confidence racing. Even if the times are slow, winning races usually helps me get excited to race more and improve.

Sounds like you don't want to run anymore and feel guilty.If you don't want to run for now, don't.If you feel like it in the future, then do it.Life is too short to worry about stupid things like "how to rekindle the passion."Get a new hobby and see if you suddenly miss running.

It always comes down to injuries. I wish our sport were not so injury-oriented. Even the very best of us get injured--even those with good mechanics, diet, etc.

I had no idea how injuries, both major and minor, play such a crucial role in running. My advice would be: be thankful you are able to run. Any running is better than no running. I, too, am coming off of an injury, and I have a 10k coming up this weekend. It is a hilly course, and I fear that last mile, as I know there may be suffering involved. For a runner coming off of an injury, this may be the most difficult thing to which to adjust (or re-adjust).

All the best to you.

re-read "once a runner" and get back on the trails, cass.

Fun fact, people change when they go to college. You've changed. Nothing to be ashamed of or mad about, just enjoy the rest of your year, some time off, and start running in the summer. If its not there, move on to something else.

Watch some racing videos on Youtube.

the secret sauce wrote:

re-read "once a runner" and get back on the trails, cass.

Good advice--thanks!

Give up and find a different hobby.

Get a new hobby and see if you suddenly miss running

this is the best advice.

join an ultimate team, play golf or whatever.

you'll know pretty quickly if you should instead be running

burnt out and angry wrote:

...and I'm extremely bitter, salty... Any advice?

The first thing that comes to mind--- stop licking your wounds!