My mind/will gave out on my training run this morning... :(

[celerystalksme]

I just had a terrible run this morning. And I'm a little worried. I planned on a 6-8 mile run this morning. I got good sleep...ate a little...it was beautiful out. I got about 2.5 miles into my run...and I just quit. I couldn't go on.

But I don't know why! I wasn't THAT tired, sore, exhausted, whatever. I've run through much more pain, soreness, exhaustion, etc. But for the first time...I just mentally quit. It's my like my mind said, "Nope, not gonna endure the discomfort of pushing myself today. F that."

So I started walking. I tried to start up again...but I'd get maybe thirty seconds to a minute down the road...and I'd quit. Walk. Try to start up again...and again, I'd quit. It ended up being a 3.8 mile run in about 35 minutes, says my trusty Garmin...but I must have walked like the last mile or more.

Why couldn't I just keep running? I'm very upset that my mind quit like that...not my body, I can handle it if my body just runs out of steam...but I can't have my mind/will quit like that. Is this normal? Will this event make it easier for me to shut down like that in the future?

[HillSlugger]

I just had a terrible run this morning. And I'm a little worried. I planned on a 6-8 mile run this morning. I got good sleep...ate a little...it was beautiful out. I got about 2.5 miles into my run...and I just quit. I couldn't go on.

But I don't know why! I wasn't THAT tired, sore, exhausted, whatever. I've run through much more pain, soreness, exhaustion, etc. But for the first time...I just mentally quit. It's my like my mind said, "Nope, not gonna endure the discomfort of pushing myself today. F that."

So I started walking. I tried to start up again...but I'd get maybe thirty seconds to a minute down the road...and I'd quit. Walk. Try to start up again...and again, I'd quit. It ended up being a 3.8 mile run in about 35 minutes, says my trusty Garmin...but I must have walked like the last mile or more.

Why couldn't I just keep running? I'm very upset that my mind quit like that...not my body, I can handle it if my body just runs out of steam...but I can't have my mind/will quit like that. Is this normal? Will this event make it easier for me to shut down like that in the future?

I think we all have days where it's just not going to happen. Some days the body isn't willing but on other the will just isn't there. Don't beat yourself up about it. Will this make you more likely to quit in the future? I don't think so. I think you'll want to avoid this soul searching and will push through next time. Take a break and then get back to it when you are ready.

[channlluv]

Sometimes your intuition overpowers your will. When was your last checkup/physical? God forbid anything serious is wrong, but you might want to go get checked out. Or maybe it was your guardian angel (if you believe in guiding spirits) protecting you from something dangerous down the road. Or, yeah, maybe it's just a bonk.

I had a workout like that once. A quarter mile into my normal walking route, and I just couldn't go farther. I stopped right where I was and sat on a low wall for the longest time trying to assess. I didn't feel sick, tired, nothing. No weird heart rhythms, no shortness of breath, no muscle strains. Nada. But my mind would not let me walk on. I finally got up and returned home, and went out the next day with no problem.

Good luck on tomorrow's run.

Roxy

[alpinerabbit]

sometimes a bonk, or coming down with something, does not feel like it at all. Maybe it was one of these two, I've had it before.

[roadie gal]

Don't beat yourself up and don't dwell on it. Some days it just isn't there. Your body might be more tired than you think, or your nutrition may not have been right. You might have something on your mind that you didn't realize. Whatever reason, sometimes runs/rides/exercise just doesn't happen. It's not a harbinger for next time. Forget about this run and look forward to the next one.

[ny biker]

Are you overtrained? Maybe you just need a break.

[celerystalksme]

Are you overtrained? Maybe you just need a break.

I don't feel overtrained. I feel physically fine. I usually allow myself one or two rest days per week. But I think it has become a mental grind?

[papaver]

I don't feel overtrained. I feel physically fine. I usually allow myself one or two rest days per week. But I think it has become a mental grind?

Once every six weeks you have to give yourself a break (at least 3 days no sports). You'll be much stronger afterwards.

[spindizzy]

But for the first time...I just mentally quit. It's my like my mind said, "Nope, not gonna endure the discomfort of pushing myself today. F that."

I had the same thing happen to me in early February..went down to the basement, got on the trainer, did a few revolutions and quit. E-mailed my coach who told me to take 2 weeks off..only do what I felt like doing. For the first week, I did nothing. The next week did 1 bike, 1 run and 2 X-Fit classes. Then I was ready to go back.

I guess I needed permission to take a break. I rarely complain about my training schedule and 98% of the time do the training I am asked to do. So I guess my coach was intuitive enough to know- I needed some time off.

I agree with NYB to journal your moods during training - and do not be afraid to take the time off.

[rocknrollgirl]

When I am feeling like that, I usually give myself about 15 mins. If after that period of time, I am sill really not in to it, I just call it a day. It will be ok. Relax for a day or two. You will get your mojo back.

[jesvetmed]

RocknRoll: I've always heard that... push through for 10 minutes. If you still feel awful and don't want to continue, stop. Rest. Otherwise, a majority of the time, things are better by the end of that 10 minutes and you've gotten into some kind of groove. I have to admit, not always, though! Time to rest is sometimes a must, and your body does try to tell you.