Can’t stop stopping on runs

Do you feel this way when running with teammates, or just by yourself?

Don't take this the wrong way, but it sounds like you don't like running.

Could you run with your teammates? Do you ever listen to music/podcasts if you're just getting bored/unmotivated? It's a lot harder to stop if there are others with you and it's a lot easier to keep going when alone if you have something interesting to listen to and focus on.

It’s a lot worse by myself, but I still feel it when running with teammates, I just push through it because I can’t stop when I’m running with other people.

Half a mile??? 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Do shorter runs - so set a 2 mile training run and your goal is to simply not stop. Then a 3 mile training run and so on. 4 miles. 5 miles. 6 miles. There's not really any point stopping for 30 secs - 1 minute. What are you doing while you're stopped? The answer is just not to stop and don't think about it.

Does the feeling go away after a while? If you get past it and then aren't miserable for the rest of your run, maybe that's all you need for now.

Also, any chance that you go out fast when not on the treadmill? Maybe if that's the case you could start a bit slower and hold pace.

ca28515 wrote:

I’m a 16 year old track/XC runner (male) and ever since last summer I can’t stop stopping on runs. Basically as soon as I get half a mile to a mile in, I lose motivation/get tired of it and want to stop. And to clarify: I’m not really tired in a physical sense. I might be a little physically tired but I really just don’t want to keep going.

My runs are never super long (6 miles at most) and oddly enough, I notice it is much easier for me to run on the treadmill than outside, but running on the treadmill all the time isn’t possible for me.

Does anyone have any advice on how to deal with this? I ultimately do want to run and race; training has just become so boring.

I get the same way when I'm trying to get back into it.

My go to is: doing a short forest trail (under a mile) and just do loops, look at the scenery, and don't worry about pace.

Also, on long runs, I have taken a tennis ball along.

You sound mentally burnt out. Take a week or two off completely and do some other stuff. Part of running well is knowing when you need a break

At your age or a bit older, I also went through a phase/couple of weeks of stopping on a run. I can't tell you exactly what the issue was for myself but I have a few thoughts:

- I was anemic which contributed to a physical malaise but also a mental one

- I was running too fast on my off days: I would ditch any fitness tracker/gps device you may or may not use and just go for a light jog and see how it goes.

- I was running on a boring stretch of rural road, switching to trails automatically increased my need to consider my surroundings and both be engaged and weirdly switch off at the same time

- I wasn't resting well: get your sleep, nutrition, recovery protocols sorted if they aren't and maybe consider if you are missing something

- I was running during the hottest part of the day for no good reason: not sure if you live in a hot part of the world or if things are getting warmer and you aren't adapted yet, but, if you are as stubborn as I was I didn't get that I couldn't just run whenever and not expect to have my body tell me to stop when I wasn't adapted. Not every run should or can be a test of your resolve, that is what workouts and races are for.

- I needed a break. Despite the trollish advice you'll undoubtedly get here, taking time off or backing off can often be the long term best thing to do. If need be, sub in some cross training like water running, elliptical, biking etc. to challenge your body in a different way for a few sessions a week.

Best advice I can give is to be patient and find that love of running I am sure you have.