This training cycle has been full of momentum.
Momentum returning to running after being injured. Momentum building my miles and long runs. Momentum exploring new trails and finding my confidence as a trail runner.
Last week (which I will recap soon), all that momentum came to a screeching halt.
Sure it was a cutback week and I had a million other more-important-than-running things going on. Sure I needed the rest, mentally and physically. But that stop in momentum made it really hard to get back at it this past week and really wreaked havoc on my mental state. I started off the week not wanting to run and was just in a place mentally that I didn’t want to be going into my first of four big weeks of running.
As the week progressed, I started feeling better. I made plans with my running friends, I got excited for the weekend’s long runs, and magically, the week ended up going exactly according to my training plan.
I realized on my run this morning that instead of momentum, I need to rely on motivation, because momentum only lasts so long. I need to be motivated to get out the door on my own, to finish up these last few weeks of training strong, and to do my best going forward.
I found that motivation exploring the hills this weekend. I found it doing a long run with a new group of excited runners training for their first ultra. I found it in the changing season and the perfect fall air. I found it conquering my biggest weekend of trail running ever and knowing it will all pay off come race day. I found it realizing that I had a smile plastered on my face after both long runs this weekend. I found it when I reminded myself mid-run that I do this because I truly love it.
I mean seriously, how can I not be motivated getting to run in places like these?
Three more big weeks of training to go, and I feel like I am back to that place I want to be mentally. Excited, focused, happy, and most importantly, motivated.
Good for you! You’re definitely right about having great places to run, your pictures are always amazing!
I think those last few weeks before any long race are difficult…you’ve been training forever, the end is not quite in sight..blugh, more running? For me, this is where running blogs come in – reading people’s triumphs (and failures) and their focus whilst training never fails to make me want my own moment of glory and to keep on pushing forward. I’m so excited for your race, you’re going to crush it! Whilst taking gorgeous photos on the way!
What a great feeling! You always have a really positive outlook and that is going to take your farther in any race than anything else!
Love your positive running outlook! And as always- LOVE those pictures. Reminds me of my old home in northern CA.
Ahhh, I’m so glad you got it back. Everyone has a few days of being thrown off of the pattern. But you are motivated simply by loving running, so you’ll never need to worry about it coming back. Amazing long runs this weekend!!