Seasonal whinge...
Dec0720111:32 p.m.
Every year around about now I lose my mojo to run. Seasonal affective disorder is definitely part of the problem. I can be so disciplined with my running, diet and training for most of the year and then Wham! It all just disappears in a puff of pantomime smoke and a wicked witch curse which turns me into a carbohydrate snaffling pumpkin.
I blame mince pies and stollen for starters (alongside the greyness outside) because once I get a taste for these goodies I find it hard to stop - like a child at the sweetie-jar. That has the knock-on effect of making me feel lethargic and beach-whale like within a nanosecond and running becomes such an effort. Well, it's always an effort but somehow this makes it even more of an effort!
I planned a 20 miler for last Saturday and only just managed 14 - it was so tough. Also, my sleep is being severely disrupted too at the moment so all in all I suppose I just need to wait for Christmas to pass and then the good fairy will work her glorious magic and in another puff of pantomime smoke the pumpkin snaffling carbohydrate monster will be turned into a sylph-like running princess....in pink. Fluorescent pink.
Oh, and then there's the small matter of an anatomy exam next Friday that is causing great angst...Uni is going well but is certainly taxing the ol' grey matter big time.
But enough of this seasonal whingeing!
If I can get my act together after Christmas then I may well aim for the Gloucester Marathon in January as a training run for the Ultra in February - however, if I'm feeling the way I am right now and the good fairy doesn't visit, then I might have to alter my plans.
It's funny isn't it how one goes through phases of being energetic and motivated to run and to look after oneself and then at other times it can all go to pot. I think it happens to us all in different ways and at different times. But it's the acceptance of these phases that is hard, it always feels like it will last forever. And of course it doesn't. I see clients all the time going through this which is why they employ me to motivate them!!
Glad to see the email alerts are working again and also good to see so many bloggers back in the fold.
Happy running.
Hxxx
Post views 610
Comments (17)
Pete '".......Gloucester Marathon as a TRAINING run ...." blah, blah.....YEAH, you've certainly lost it, and I'm not talking about your mojo! ;)' added 7th Dec 2011
Report as inappropriate
Firefly123 'I know exactly what you mean. Everything is hard this time of year - and I don't have an exam to revise for. GOOD LUCK! xx' added 7th Dec 2011
Report as inappropriate
pablo_campo 'You'll be back in the zone before you know it Harri, so enjoy the cake, particularly the Stollen, while you can! :-) I've heard Gloucester Marathon mentioned in our household a couple of times.... not taking it too seriously at the moment tho, 'er incasa seems to have caught the same SAD mood as yerself ....' added 7th Dec 2011
Report as inappropriate
Toutatis 'Good luck with the exam Harri. As him above said, it's been a similar story for me. I planned a long run on Sunday and bailed out after 9 miles. Felt DREADFUL and emotionally drained. But we will get back on it! Completing the Ultra will be such an achievement - we will do it!! xx' added 7th Dec 2011
Report as inappropriate
onthefloor04 'Thionk yourself lucky Vaughany (my clubmate and running hero) has decided that we need to base ourselves on mileage this winter so it is an 18 miler minimum every Sunday unless there isa race on...gulp. If your mojo goes let it go - if it loves you it will come back, if not then it probably wasn't your mojo to begin with...actually it might be mine, oi give it back! ' added 7th Dec 2011
Report as inappropriate
Jenny1961 'I'm not surprised you are feeling it a bit at the mo Harri with imminent exams. I'm witnessing it here at work with my students looking wildeyed and wild-haired about their looming coursework deadlines exams! (In fact I've sneaked on to RB whilst they are sitting a mock test ) . But don't worry- I think we've all had our ups and downs recently. Mojo always comes back eventually. Sometimes life just throws up too many other things to be Miss Happy Runner all the time! You'll be fine for the ultra- just your sort of run really. If you don't feel ready for the Glos marathon then don't do it- simple as that. You could still do some nice long runs on the weekend- maybe back to back runs and build up your mileage that way :). I have been thinking long and hard about the London Ultra but have finally decided NOT to do it because I want to prepare properly for VLM and I simply haven't built up enough long runs recently. I HAVE been doing many shorter runs but haven't done a 14 miler for a while so you are in fact in a better position than me. But I am back on track with my shorter runs now so my marathon schedule will start properly on the 19th Dec. What a week to start a marathon schedule! Best of luck with your exam.!' added 7th Dec 2011
Report as inappropriate
Jenny1961 'I'm not surprised you are feeling it a bit at the mo Harri with imminent exams. I'm witnessing it here at work with my students looking wildeyed and wild-haired about their looming coursework deadlines exams! (In fact I've sneaked on to RB whilst they are sitting a mock test ) . But don't worry- I think we've all had our ups and downs recently. Mojo always comes back eventually. Sometimes life just throws up too many other things to be Miss Happy Runner all the time! You'll be fine for the ultra- just your sort of run really. If you don't feel ready for the Glos marathon then don't do it- simple as that. You could still do some nice long runs on the weekend- maybe back to back runs and build up your mileage that way :). I have been thinking long and hard about the London Ultra but have finally decided NOT to do it because I want to prepare properly for VLM and I simply haven't built up enough long runs recently. I HAVE been doing many shorter runs but haven't done a 14 miler for a while so you are in fact in a better position than me. But I am back on track with my shorter runs now so my marathon schedule will start properly on the 19th Dec. What a week to start a marathon schedule! Best of luck with your exam.!' added 7th Dec 2011
Report as inappropriate
tinabee 'What you need is one of those glorious sunny winter days, cold but bright and clear. Pop your running kit on and just enjoy the marvellousness of it all. We all comfort eat at this time of year I think - hard not too with all the wonderful goodies on show. I must admit I am runniing more often just to keep the winter fat layer from forming!' added 7th Dec 2011
Report as inappropriate
Nick 'We all have those phases of feeling up and then down. (I'm on a bit of a downer myself at the moment) I hope Christmas can reenergise you! Good luck with the Gloucester Marathon, if you decide to do that. It's a race I remember well.' added 7th Dec 2011
Report as inappropriate
Petecw29 'Relax and get your exam out of the way first Harri just run relaxed and enjoy the gossip with the girls. That way you'll still be ticking over and ready to go in no time. ' added 7th Dec 2011
Report as inappropriate
crooxi 'I challenge ANYONE to get through this time of year without feeling either stressed or depressed......... or both. Add an exam to the mix, and it's really not surprising. Don't worry about the missing mojo, it will come back when it's ready to. And enjoy the mince pies et al - they're not around for long!' added 7th Dec 2011
Report as inappropriate
Muffs 'I'll do you a deal. If you do Gloucester marathon, i'll do it too.It's one i've been considering. Hope santa brings you your mojo.' added 7th Dec 2011
Report as inappropriate
Johnf 'Ohh those mince pies. I never touch biscuits in the office all year and then come December people bring in mince pies and I double in size, before Christmas day. It doesn't sound like you have lost too much mojo with that programme. It is a strange feeling trying to motivate people though when you feel less upbeat yourself. Good fortunes with the exam.' added 8th Dec 2011
Report as inappropriate
Dungey 'Dark mornings and nights, plus rubbish weather do take their toll. Race early in the new year will pull yourself through, does sound like you have a lot on your plate.' added 8th Dec 2011
Report as inappropriate
Dim 'An ULTRA???? Flaming heck I was already starting to feel inadequate Wot have you been eating? Whatever it is I want some. Thanks for your message, it was great to hear from you. Now go and put your feet up, fill yourself up with more mince pies and stollen and give me chance to catch you up.' added 8th Dec 2011
Report as inappropriate
judith 'A marathon as a training run!! Good luck with ultra 10 weeks or so to go February. Hope the exam goes well.' added 12th Dec 2011
Report as inappropriate
simonedumergue 'Fantastic post Harri - I think you've summed the current state of affairs up well! I love the description of a 'carbohydrate snaffling pumpkin" - and once you lose the mojo temporarily it is so true that you feel like throwing all caution to the wind. But you'll get it back - you always do. I think we've all been around long enough now to see each other go through our 'cycles' - you're just having your turn in the valley of death at the moment. xx' added 13th Dec 2011
Report as inappropriate