Has any runner, specifically masters become tired of running?

Yes. I'm at the point where after 2.5 years, i could probably start actually training again. But i like the feeling of my hamstrings not hurting all of the time. I like being able to stretch and not feel like i'm injuring myself. I like not worrying about how what i ate for lunch will affect getting through a post-work track workout.

I like the people i've been riding and swimming with. they just want to stay in shape versus always trying to get back to where they were. It's kind of a relief.

I'm sure i'll continue to run so that i have an exercise to do when i don't have access to the gym, pool, or bike. but i'm kind of liking the hobby jogger mentality. it's a relief.

I am taking a break for the first time in a few years because of an injury. I will say that it has been really nice to have a beer after work with friends and not worry about getting my run in and having more time and energy on the weekends. I had taken most of my 30s off and came back when I was about 41, and I have been grinding it out for three years or so, with some high volume and intense training for my first two marathons ever. I ran some great races for a masters runner, and the pressure of trying to keep it going out of fear that if I took a break it might never come back was pretty intense.

After only about a month off, I am already thinking that if I can get rid of this plantar fasciitis, I will be ready to come back. A break does the mind and body good - listen to those cravings, fellow old timer.

Amen

I am in the exact sameboat now. I don't want to go do usual old runners route of trail running. But I was thinking about doing something like mountain biking.

It doesn't help that my speed seems to have left as well

Always have had injuries before losing mojo.

I also balance my running out with adventure sports, so if anyting, running keeps me grounded.

I've run for 45 yrs and,at 58, have slowed to the point where I am considering hanging it up. Not injured, just do not feel the same. 5 yrs ago I could still trot along at 7 to 730 miles, now I struggle for 8's and feel like I look like a shuffler.

I now lead long hikes, which is a good substitute.

Smoove wrote:

I had taken most of my 30s off and came back when I was about 41, and I have been grinding it out for three years or so, with some high volume and intense training for my first two marathons ever. I ran some great races for a masters runner, and the pressure of trying to keep it going out of fear that if I took a break it might never come back was pretty intense.

Sounds like you overdid it with the marathons. Only during peak marathon training do I feel lack of energy on the weekends. But most of the time, I feel more energy than I ever did as the couch potato of my 30s.

If I had no energy from overtraining, well I would probably quit too. I'll keep going even as I slow down. Switch up the training. Get that 5k time down. Win your age group in a big city 5k.

I'm 48. I am now in hobby jogger mode, due to injury, and have been for the past 4 years. The truth is that if the injury hadn't ended serious training for me, burnout would have anyway. It's just that the injury finalized things.

Started running at 13, and really, really sucked at it. But I worked at it and became a slightly better than average high school runner, and then a slightly better than average D3 runner. Then there was more injury, and I was out for 14 years. Started running again at 35, and spent the next 5 years trying to break 2:40 for the marathon. I never did, but the 100 mile weeks blew out my knee, and that's where I am now.

I think there are only so many years that mere amateurs like us can train at a high level pursuing goals that no one cares about besides you before it just gets old. Getting up at 4AM to run in the dark while trying not to slip and fall on black ice, then working a full day, and then running again after work... it gets really old.

which is exactly why you need to take a break from marathons. Especially if you don't even like the journey. if it gets old, that is the signal you are burning out. take a break.

us mere amateurs are running so much less miles than the elites that we can last MUCH much longer. Look at Ed Whitlock still running great. He took a break for a bit, and came back better than ever.

There is hope. Sit it out and try again later. Unless you actually don't even like running.

I definitely trained pretty intensely for those marathons. But the simple fact of the matter is that 20 milers in Florida in the summer while getting ready for a fall marathon (or a long run of 16-18 with bouts at tempo paced effort mixed in) is going to sap you of your energy no matter what. It is the price of entry.

Sound advice - but I am about back to my prior motivation levels. I mixed in plenty of 5k paced work during the early phase of my marathon training and raced the shorter distances throughout the cycle.

Also, it may be immodest to say, but winning my age group is not terribly challenging or rewarding, except in the rarest of races. The last time I didn't win my age group was a 7th place showing in a world major marathon (and I subsequently was the top masters in another world major marathon).

In fact, I owe the majority of my success as a masters runner to the fact that the bulk of the guys who were better than me when I was 20 simply have no interest in running relatively mediocre times in the 15:30 range for 5ks, or busting their butts to train for a marathon.

H.E. Pennypacker wrote:

Sure, lots of masters runners get tired of it and quit. See the guy winning your local races? Odds are he won't be running seriously in 10 years. The oddballs are the ones that keep training hard for years on end with no breaks.

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So many excellent responses here...and they make for an interesting thread.

In regard to the marathon, though, I am not sure I agree with old man shuffle's view. For me, it is the fast-paced stuff that does me in. My body loves marathon pace. High intensity 5k/10k work = injury, burnout, and all the rest.

old man shuffle wrote:

No doubt. The only reason I win masters awards now is because the guys who were faster than me in our youth are no longer racing. I couldn't outrun them, but I did outlast them.

You show up. He who does not show up will never win anything.

QUIT until you get the URGE to RUN

Works for me

Sunset wrote:

I've run for 45 yrs and,at 58, have slowed to the point where I am considering hanging it up. Not injured, just do not feel the same. 5 yrs ago I could still trot along at 7 to 730 miles, now I struggle for 8's and feel like I look like a shuffler.

I now lead long hikes, which is a good substitute.

I am 58 and have run seriously for 46 years.

Started doing 60-70 miles a week the first year. Ran a decent marathon time as a HS frosh. Went to nationals in College and ran all sorts of races post while maintaining the steady mileage.

Was good but not great. near the bottom of the top 1%

Won many races. Even in the last 13 years when no longer able to run fast to be competitive still did the mileage and tempos intervals, etc.

About 135,000+ total miles. no injuries.

Over the last couple years I think I run each day more out of habit. My mind sought effort, improvement, endorphins, etc. but those are harder to come by.

The good feeling I used to get from being able to be fit , a well oiled machine, trying to be competitive and/or easily being able to cover distance is now elusive and only comes maybe briefly on one run every 10 days.

I can deal with slowing down, but it is hard mentally to deal with runs just not feeling good.

Have never felt so uninspired for such a long period before. Might have had a few weeks or months like this before but something always fanned the flames. Never went this long before feeling blah.

Its not boredom, I run different courses with new and different people.

Now it just feels different. You do not have to run. Everything has to end.

I have known older runners take 5+ years off and then get back into it strong.

Harder to do when you are older. Everyone is different.

that he was no longer one of them; eventually he would drift off, and be a runner no more... Quenton Cassidy’s method of dealing with fundamental doubts was simple: He didn’t think about them at all. These questions had been considered a long time ago, decisions were made, answers recorded, and the book closed. If it had to be re-opened every time the going got rough, he would spend more time rationalizing than training; his log would start to disclose embarrassing information, perhaps blank squares. Even a self-made obsessive-compulsive could not tolerate that.

It happens sometimes. You should change up the routine, get some new training partners, maybe take a bit of a break and come back with new goals and a sense of urgency.

Another 48 yr old junior varsity aarp athlete. Started running in 7th grade, ran Varsity H.S. Track and CC but not college. Fitness runner until late thirties then started the road racing circuit. After ten years of progressively faster running my body started showing its age. At 45 I ran my fastest 5K since High School 18:05 vs 16:40 at 18. My 45 age grade was pretty close to my 18 but then the nagging injuries started. Calf strain here and achillies tendinitis there my mileage started suffering. At 48 I managed 19:30 off of 20 miles a week running 4 days a week. Just like the poster and many other aging runners the body just doesn't want to do what the mind and soul wants. Thought about qutitting but desided to settle with lower miles and slower times. Still love to run but it is getting harder to stay fleet footed. Not that I was that fleet footed to begin with.

I've felt the same way. Needed a break from an old routine. Not fully a masters yet at age 38, but have been burned out on running - and working very hard work - over the last few months. A lot going on in life, and not at all in a bad sense-- mostly notably and most joyfully a new baby. Random back injury has me sidelined from running for the next six weeks or so and I have to say I've greeted the injury almost with relief. Running is one less thing on the list. I still get up at the usual time--the early mornings are valuable alone time--but I spend the hour I'd be on the road reading or journaling. It's been very refreshing. I haven't lost any enthusiasm for the sport but I need to rejuvenate.