These past few weeks I can definitely relate to the quote above, I had two weeks where my motivation was lacking, I was exhausted and I wasn't enjoying my training the way I had been. Most athletes can easily relate to this feeling and know how hard it can be to push yourself out the door day after day.
Over the past year there haven't been many times where I've not enjoyed what I'm doing and felt like I just wanted to stop and I know I'm quite lucky for this, however it did make these two weeks a real struggle physically and mentally.
Some days I would procrastinate for hours, try convince myself that I deserved the day off, that missing a few trainings wouldn't matter or bargain with myself and say I'll just train extra hard tomorrow. After wasting a lot of time I would still head out and do every session. I like to think it's these trainings and these phases that make a good athlete. The week just been I felt my motivation come back, my mood was 100% better (god knows I'm no fun when training isn't going well) and I was eager to smash my sessions!
What to do when you've convinced yourself the world is ending:
The week just been was an awesome week of training, I loved every sweaty second of it! I'm feeling refreshed and eager for the next 11weeks that I have left and also to be working towards another goal of completing 5 half marathons this year when I compete in the Wellington Half Marathon this coming weekend! Weeehoooo!
- N
Over the past year there haven't been many times where I've not enjoyed what I'm doing and felt like I just wanted to stop and I know I'm quite lucky for this, however it did make these two weeks a real struggle physically and mentally.
Some days I would procrastinate for hours, try convince myself that I deserved the day off, that missing a few trainings wouldn't matter or bargain with myself and say I'll just train extra hard tomorrow. After wasting a lot of time I would still head out and do every session. I like to think it's these trainings and these phases that make a good athlete. The week just been I felt my motivation come back, my mood was 100% better (god knows I'm no fun when training isn't going well) and I was eager to smash my sessions!
What to do when you've convinced yourself the world is ending:
- Read over your goals or rewrite them to gain focus and remember what you're and why you're doing it!
- Go do something that makes you happy (not training related). For me I took time to catch up with my friends and bake!
- Read a good motivating book - I read Andre Agassi's autobiography Open
- Mix up your training a bit - I did a little bit of circuit training which I LOVE
- Chat to your coach and get their advice - I just had an easier week which helped MASSIVELY
- Get out of town! I hit up the beach and got some sunshine
- I know I shouldn't say retail therapy but nothing can motivate you like new training gear!
- Take a breather and remember that it's NORMAL to not love your sport 24/7 and this WILL pass!
- Turn up your favourite tunes - this always works a treat for me
The week just been was an awesome week of training, I loved every sweaty second of it! I'm feeling refreshed and eager for the next 11weeks that I have left and also to be working towards another goal of completing 5 half marathons this year when I compete in the Wellington Half Marathon this coming weekend! Weeehoooo!
- N