not running much anymore... how to make the best of it?

Training Advice/Discussion

7 years ago 04/26/2016 5:10am EDT

long story short. 25 years old, been running for 10 years, trained for everything from mile to marathon. last couple of months though it's been hard getting myself to go out there running all those miles and more often than not I'm asking myself why the hell I do it so often if I don't love it as much as I used to. I guess the simple reason is that I just don't want to lose what I have in terms of race times. For the shape I'm in right now those are 32:56/1:12:28 for 10k/HM. Anyway I came to the conclusion that I have to drastically reduce my running to about 3 times a week and just hope that the passion that was once there will return soon.

What should I do in those 3 sessions and what kind of drop can I expect at 10k/HM race times? Thought about mile repeats at 10k pace, a 40min tempo at close to HM pace and a 2 hour easy long run. What do you think?

7 years ago 04/26/2016 5:38am EDT

re: howtomakethebestofit

Maybe you just need a refocus.

Start training for the 5k you might find it fun. Setting new PBs, trying some speedwork etc.

7 years ago 04/26/2016 7:49am EDT

re: howtomakethebestofit

This is so silly. If you want to find your passion again, doing workouts 3 days a week wont help that.

You should either take some time completely off, or go run some easy mileage on a fun trail or something like that.

7 years ago 04/26/2016 8:11am EDT

re: Marco Brolo

I don't want to take time off running. It would kill me thinking about my fitness just declining while I'm sitting around doing nothing about it. Changing it up a bit seems like a good idea though.

7 years ago 04/26/2016 8:17am EDT

re: howtomakethebestofit

So you don't want to run anymore because you don't have the same passion, but you don't want to give up running because you want to stay in shape??

Seems like you want it all without putting in the work.

If you split the difference you will never be happy.

7 years ago 04/26/2016 8:28am EDT

re: Marco Brolo

Marco is completely right. Im 45 ans been running since 14. I went through the same thing for the last 5 years. 3 days, 5 days, cross training. Finally convinced myself if I still wanted to race I had to run. So been back at it daily for the last couple months. Either do or dont do it. That is if you want to race. If youdont race you can do whatever you want.

7 years ago 04/26/2016 8:29am EDT

re: masters 5k

According to all known laws

of motion,

there is no way a runner

should be able to run.

Its legs are too skinny to get

its scrawny little body off the ground.

The runner, of course, runs anyway

because runners don't care

what cross-fitters think is impossible.

7 years ago 04/26/2016 12:11pm EDT

re: Smooth Playa

Maybe the 3-4 days a week won't hurt your times much?

Do back to back long runs ,first one in hills second one on flat ground on grass. Take advantage of the decrease running time by splurging on going to really nice places to run these. Since I only run 3 or 4 times I don't feel guilty driving and hour to apart at the beach or to the lake in the mountains. If I run every day that time luxury is gone.

Do a hard progression run the next workout 5-7 miles with last 3 pretty much a 5k race. Or go to the the track and do 400's or something. It isn't a big deal can be a good lifestyle. No junk miles and all the getting dressed and showering . You can still do other physical stuff just worry about anything but these runs or similar. Play that game of pickup basketball that you never will because you are serious about running.

I think you should give it some time to find out what you can do on a plan that isn't a complete grind, you might be surprised. It's a good lifestyle and a person can be pretty fit like this too. Lots of people do it.

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