For the last two weeks i've just shut down when running
(long runs and sessions). My legs feel powerless whenever i try and run. This came off the back of a decent cross country season which culminated in the english schools cross country about 3 weeks ago.
Has anyone else just 'lost' the ability to run before?
If so did it come back?
Am i being soft (i.e. is it mental)or is it physical?
It sounds like you're caught in an overly self-conscious cycle. You aren't running well, so you're putting more pressure on yourself, so you don't run well, so you put more pressure on yourself.
A change of scenery may do you some good. If you train with a group, you might want to do some running by yourself for awhile. Give yourself some time to just enjoy running again. Remove any pressures you or others are placing on yourself. Don't do anything to test yourself for awhile until you've had time to build your confidence back up.
On the flip side, you may be wearing yourself out in some other aspect of your life. If you've got too much on your plate, you may be mentally and physically tired when it comes time to race. It may also change your motivations, making running just another thing that you do, rather than something that you enjoy and care about doing well.
Don't beat yourself up about it. That's the worst thing you can do. This happens to everybody some time and will go away if you just let it.
You may want to check with your doctor to see if you're anemic. When I was anemic I lost the ability to run fast even though it felt like I was.
Have you tried "gallow-walking?"
Could be you peaked, and now you need to rest a bit before starting in again. Several times I've had a good peak, only to come crashing down afterward, catching a cold, and having to rest a week or two before starting back in.
5 questions to ask yourself about this current "shutdown":
1- Are you getting enough sleep?
2- Are you getting enough iron in your diet?
3- Did you take off any time after the end of your season?
4- Are you eating enough?
5- Are you trying to do too much mileage or too fast a pace at this point in your season?
If I were you, I would go get some iron supplements and take a week off if you can. Good luck.
And the number one question:
1) Are you getting any?