I know you'll all hate me for this but...

Well, if you can't enjoy it then maybe it isn't for you. But I say, forget about the times, and just run some easy miles, run with some friends, assuming you have some you can with, try to stay not too competitive for a bit, and just recharge with easy running. It'll come. If you wanna race, run some race where time isn't important, like I just ran a really hilly 15k at altitude. Forget times, forget your watch, just get out there and run without worrying about time or really competiting if you can.

I like to remember these wise words from my 8th grade math teacher. "Sometimes you just gotta work through that"

Birthday boy wrote:

I'm having trouble enjoying running and staying motivated. I was totally diehard for about 3 years and after setback after setback I just don't know if I can do it anymore.

No flames here. Don't worry about it. Heck, I get kind of unmotivated if I miss a day or two, but get it back immediately. I went years without running, and my size and slothfulness got me back into it.

It's the same with anything you pursue avidly for awhile. Run when you want to, do something else when you don't. Chances are you'll realize you're STILL a runner at some point.

Take it from an old guy who's been through the ups and downs!

yeah, like they said don't worry about it. I've been running in college for 2 years now (DII) and I have run well and I have ran really crappy. I came in on a high and started really well and then fell apart and got crushed. That doesn't matter though. I have made a bunch of life long friends, 6 of whom i live with now and I love the sport way more than I ever thought possible. College will reinspire you. And don't worry about the scholarship money. Most coaches seem to think that freshmen year is just a learning experience, which it should be. There will be way less pressure than you think, even on scholarship. Enjoy it, make friends, have fun, etc.

got injured the 1st week of X-C workouts my soph year in college. I was out for 8 weeks. During that 2 months I too, got used to not having to workout twice a day. I went to eat when I wanted, stayed out later and had more social time with my girlfriend and seriously thought about not coming back when my stress fracture healed. I got used to 'not running' like you said. I did return and am very glad that I did. I went on to run a 3:49 1500m and 14:18 5k that track season. I kept with it, through other injuries and downtime and completed 4 years of college running and am SO GLAD that I did. Good times, memories and life experiences that I could never have had, being just a 'regular college student.'