High schooler in need of motivation

If it was easy, everyone would do it. You kinda just gotta grind it out and do it for yourself, nothing anyone else says will fill your own motivational void.

Your issue probably isn't really an issue of motivation, unless you have not been doing the assigned training. If you have not been doing the training, then that's on you and there is no reason to come to a message board to ask the question, because you already know the answer. Instead, the answer probably lies somewhere in your training. What are you doing differently from last year? If nothing, were you healthier last year? How have you been doing with recovery? Are you getting enough sleep? Are you eating well (getting enough food and including necessary nutrients)?

It's January and important races don't happen for a while. For now, don't focus on the results so much. Focus on executing your training as best you can and surrounding it with good healthy habits. Be mindful of injuries and take care of your body. If you can string together a few months of that, you will be ready to run fast when it counts.

Everybody's motivation ebbs and flows, so you might just be in a low spot. In that case, keep on keeping on.

You might have set a goal that's a bit too ambitious for the amount of work you have been willing to do since last year. That naturally causes anxiety. Working towards a goal that you don't think is possible is a grind and seems like a waste of time.

If you don't want to reset your goal and don't want to feel like running isn't fun anymore, then go do something else and set a new goal in that arena. There's more to life than running.

IkeOnTheGrind wrote:

I know 99% of you could do that with a breeze.

Hopefully you're joking - just because lots of people talk about how fast they are doesn't mean everybody is speedy gonzalez. Sub 2 in the 800 is no joke, give yourself some credit.

As for the motivation, I usually feel the way you describe when I'm overtraining. Taking a week or two off (or at least low-volume) may help more than you think. Just my 2 cents.

I guess you’re right. Belief that I have what it takes to reach my goal is what fueled each one of my pbs, but if I’m being 100% honest, I don’t believe I’m going to hit my goal anymore, and the fire that kept me going is gone. I guess I was looking for someone to give me a reason to believe, but you’re right, in the end that comes down to myself.

I more meant that I’m in need of motivation going forward; I have been training. My mileage has decreased slightly since last year and my sleep has been horrible. That’s probably a big factor in my results, but still isn’t an excuse. You’re right though, how I’m running right now doesn’t matter as long as I’m running well when it counts. I’ve just got to keep fighting and believing it will get better. Thanks, the motivation I’m looking for

Another Option wrote:

Everybody's motivation ebbs and flows, so you might just be in a low spot. In that case, keep on keeping on.

You might have set a goal that's a bit too ambitious for the amount of work you have been willing to do since last year. That naturally causes anxiety. Working towards a goal that you don't think is possible is a grind and seems like a waste of time.

If you don't want to reset your goal and don't want to feel like running isn't fun anymore, then go do something else and set a new goal in that arena. There's more to life than running.

I’ve loved running for awhile and don’t want to change my passion, I think this is just a low point. I guess I do just need to keep edging on and get past this, I don’t want ya I change my goal but I also think it’s important for me to accept it may not happen. Beating myself down isn’t good for my mental health nor is it bringing me closer to my goal. I guess your right, having my happiness so set on that one goal isn’t helping me in any way and I think it’s important for me to realize that not only is there more to life than running, but there’s more to running that my one goal. I used to love to run, but now it’s just work, and I need to change my mindset. Thanks

Nobody but you or your parents really care how fast you run. It sounds like you set the bar too high and that has been your downfall. Just shoot for improvement from last race and a PR by year end. Be happy.

the ridge runner wrote:

IkeOnTheGrind wrote:

I know 99% of you could do that with a breeze.

Hopefully you're joking - just because lots of people talk about how fast they are doesn't mean everybody is speedy gonzalez. Sub 2 in the 800 is no joke, give yourself some credit.

As for the motivation, I usually feel the way you describe when I'm overtraining. Taking a week or two off (or at least low-volume) may help more than you think. Just my 2 cents.

Honestly I’ve just gotten the impression from my time on here than everyone is remarkably fast. Thanks, it really means a lot to get recognized for the work I’ve put in.

As for the volume, perhaps that’s the best idea, but my coach and I have actually decided to increase the volume. It just feels like if there’s aren’t going right then we need to work harder. Maybe you’re right and a break is what I really need, but the end of the year is only getting closer and I feel too stressed to take a break when im this far away. Thanks anyways though

Running is full of peaks and plateaus. Everyone who has ever had a time goal has been through what you are going through. You have periods where your training clicks and you get great results. Then, your training can get stale and you plateau or even fall back a bit. You just have to push through it and have confidence in the process.

Mentally, I think you may be into your goal a little bit too much for what other people will think about you if you break 2 min. F. them. You should run because it is what you enjoy. Being fit and having the talent to chase sub 2 is a privilege. Most HS kids can't make it around the track twice in under 4 min. So, enjoy the process and forget about what everyone else thinks.

You don't need motivation, you just need a routine and stick to it.

You are probably at a plateau right now. Don't worry about it. Just keep training and eating healthy.

Forest Gump here wrote:

You don't need motivation, you just need a routine and stick to it.

You are probably at a plateau right now. Don't worry about it. Just keep training and eating healthy.

I agree with this. Op, you appear to be quite scattered in your preparation and focus. That you ran 2:04 a year ago shows that you have the ability to break 2. As long as you're doing a basic consistent mileage, the miles aren't the issue. More likely it's an issue of the specific repetition sessions you're doing, and balancing them with rest, recovery, and plenty of good sleep. Also, your diet should be good.

You already know that your sleep is off, so work to improve it.

What is you favorite session to prefer for the 800 races, and how do you put together your training for each week?

The 800 is a simply a matter of extending your speed for 2 laps, so that's what you need to work on the most. plus plenty of recovery - and repeat - and repeat.

to "prepare" (not prefer)

Precious Roy wrote:

Mentally, I think you may be into your goal a little bit too much for what other people will think about you if you break 2 min. F. them. You should run because it is what you enjoy. Being fit and having the talent to chase sub 2 is a privilege. Most HS kids can't make it around the track twice in under 4 min. So, enjoy the process and forget about what everyone else thinks.

Thanks, that’s probably a healthier way of going about it.

Forest Gump here wrote:

You don't need motivation, you just need a routine and stick to it.

You are probably at a plateau right now. Don't worry about it. Just keep training and eating healthy.

Thank you, you’re right, I just need to stay focused.

dunes runner wrote:

What is you favorite session to prefer for the 800 races, and how do you put together your training for each week?

The 800 is a simply a matter of extending your speed for 2 laps, so that's what you need to work on the most. plus plenty of recovery - and repeat - and repeat.

Generally my weeks consists of two long runs, 3 days at the track doing speed work, one day of weights and one or two days of rest.

At the track workouts are usually a few sets of 200-400 meter runs, or 8ish 60-150 meter strides on recovery days. As for my favourite workout to prepare for an 800, that depends if you mean my favourite workout to bring my fitness up, or what I’m actually doing to prepare the day before.

To prepare my fitness level, my favourite workout is one that is known as “the 2s” in my team. Basically it’s a set of 4 200 meter sprints that we do 4 times throughout the indoor season that starts with 40 sec rest between runs, and works it’s way down to 10 sec rest by the 4th time we do it, decreasing my 10 seconds each time. This is meant to help us hold onto our speed like we would in an 800.

As for how I prepare my legs the day before a race, I generally warm up, rip 2-4 150s, with lots of rest between, and cool down. It’s just to get my legs going.

Thanks for your help

Get it done now , the your young future could be filled with war and chemical weapons . Humans, evolve , create . The world will never match the US nuclear cache , so microbiotics will be the weapon of choice in 3rd world nations.

Jesus, look up some proper 800m training.

What you described sounds like overtraining.

Sleep and recovery are the most important part of building speed like that. And lowering volume and mileage to feel the pop in your legs.

You don't need two long runs, and you don't need two days of rest.

There's no point in taking short rests in between doing 200 meter repeats, because you're not developing speed, and you're not developing intensity.

400 repeats are better for 800 and with longer recoveries, for example 3 to 6 reps with 4 to 5 minute rests.

Even for the 200s and 150s, run them under 800 pace and take longer recoveries. However, you appear to be focusing too much on short reps, and not enough on 400s, 500s and 600s