I could never stop doing any of the sports - they all contribute in a special way to keep me in shape. I just simply think I've lost the desire to put 'em all together and race.
I've been training as if I'm motivated to race - I do have a triathlon on June 26th. And I'll continue to train like this until I need to taper...I will still give this race my all even though my heart might not be there. It's no fun to half-ass something.
But this totally could be a physiological slump that only lasts a couple weeks and I could get re-stoked to race. This is probably the case and I'm probably making too much of a deal out of this. I do have a blog date with Diana on Saturday to do the full swim and bike of the Lake Padden Triathlon, so I'm hoping this will pump me up.
Do you ever want to focus on just one of the triathlon sports and use the others for cross training?
I've been training as if I'm motivated to race - I do have a triathlon on June 26th. And I'll continue to train like this until I need to taper...I will still give this race my all even though my heart might not be there. It's no fun to half-ass something.
But this totally could be a physiological slump that only lasts a couple weeks and I could get re-stoked to race. This is probably the case and I'm probably making too much of a deal out of this. I do have a blog date with Diana on Saturday to do the full swim and bike of the Lake Padden Triathlon, so I'm hoping this will pump me up.
Do you ever want to focus on just one of the triathlon sports and use the others for cross training?
Megan I have been feeling this EXACT way lately! Mostly I've been hating the amount I'm training and the guilt of missing a workout. I think sprints might be my money distance. I can't imagine NOT doing the workouts, I just hate feeling obligated sometimes. I do love stacking up the bibs and competing because it's so much more fun than training (for me at least), but I can totally understand where you are coming from.
ReplyDeleteThat said though, I'm pumped (OK, and a little scared) for our date on Saturday!
Sounds like ur in a rut and U just need to RACE! That should get ur mini back. Every fall I go into a running specific mode. Mostly cuz its too cold or dark to bike.
ReplyDeleteGah! "MOJO" back.
ReplyDeleteI'm very much thinking about concentrating on 1/2 marathons when I'm done with Pac Crest. I need a break from the sheer amount of training I'm doing - it's so time consuming.
ReplyDeleteI bet you'll be in your groove on race day, tho!!!
I was involved in a round table discussion about this not too long ago. Triathlon seems to be the "new midlife crisis" sport with the recent boom in popularity. People come into the sport, put 2-3 seasons of alot of races. Then it seems that it wears off on them and they gravitate to the discipline they are best at, and make it their primary sport to do. Maybe they do a tri here and there. But it seems it sneds people to just one sport later in life.
ReplyDeleteThis happened to me last year - I was all pumped about tri season, but when it came time to actually get in the pool or on my bike? All I wanted to do was run. So I did. I focused on running last year and then came into this season super-ready to train for and race tris. If you're not feeling it? Don't force it. Run for a while and then get back into tris when you feel like it.
ReplyDeleteI think every athlete goes through the ebbs and flows of excitement for their sport. I agree with the above comments about not forcing it. Something that has always gotten me pumped up again though is going to races - but NOT to race! Volunteer at an aid station or something. Watching other people achieve their goals and dig deep is surefire motivation.
ReplyDeletei wonder if this will happen to me. tri training is hard, especially for atheltes with families. trying to fit it all in is so hard and disruptive. sometimes im resentful of how much training it takes. will the resentment drive me away in a season or two? but for now i do love it, i just wish i had more time!
ReplyDeleteThe cross training is definitely good for your running. Maybe just focus on sprints for a while, much lower pressure than the Olympic distance? Or maybe after Padden you'll get your Eye of the Tiger back?!
ReplyDeleteIt's completely normal to have a slump in motivation. It's also completely normal to lose motivation all together for a sport.
ReplyDeleteIf the lack of motivation continues, I'd say go right ahead and follow your motivation into more running. You hear a lot of the pros say "I'll quit when it is no longer fun." Mental motivation is a huge part of sports training!
Best of luck picking it back up, but don't worry about it. It'll come and go as needed and you'll find a balance.
It sounds like you maybe overtraining and getting burned out.
ReplyDeleteKevin
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