With the local pool season pretty much over the time has come to increase my cardio at the gym again. I almost groaned. Seriously how times have changed. It used to be that running {at whatever pace} and I got along great guns. But like anything that requires fitness and practice this is no longer the case. I found myself huffing and puffing through 90 second intervals and praying for the end of my cardio break.
It’s good for my heart. I keep reminding myself of that. And my legs, of course.
But still in these early stages back on the treadmill, rower and bike I’m struggling to motivate myself. I get on there okay, I get started, but it’s the doing more than 10-15 minutes that I find difficult. I tell myself I’m bored. That my feet hurt {they sort of do, new shoes on the list again}. I make excuses to stop as soon as I can.
Maybe it’s just part of the process. I certainly remember these tired legs from last time. I remember there being excitement to get to the next level, to reach the end of the program. Now there’s only apathy. Tired legs are perhaps not my struggle but a tired mind. Whatever it is I need it to shift. I was thinking setting a challenge for myself again might be a good idea. Something like a 5km goal or a bet with my brother again. It’s got to be something to capture and maintain my interest. A why!?
I said to Hubby I bet if I was being paid by the kilometre I would do it. Maybe that’s the key.
Help me out, have you got any tips on challenging myself to hit the road running?
Hi! I’m Suger; Chief Blogger at Suger Coat It. Blogging since 1901; love a casual ootd, taking photos + writing about things that irk or inspire me. I love wine and cheese, long days in the sun at the beach and spending time with my family. I make stuff for the internet. Which means I take photos, create content, write copy and devise social media plans for personal brands, small businesses and bloggers. You know, living the sweet life.
And again I come forth recommending a bloggers meet up, which I see you’ve already mentioned in the comments below. The colour run! How fun! I remember you were training a while ago for a 5km run, challenged by your brother? You have 5 months until the Sunshine Coast colour run, I would absolutely love to try and get together a big blogger’s group that we could all get together, do the run and celebrate with a dinner afterwards to toast our hard work?
http://thecolorrun.com/australia/sunshine-coast/
My cousin is doing this, I should absolutely take a look into it. 5km and giant puffs of coloured powder!!? What’s not to looove. Haha. I’ll hit the treadmill for a couple of months and let you know what my plans are. Right now, I’m not sure I’d make it unless there was a swim leg. 😉
I hate running, but nothing moreso than on the tredmil. I say the same thing you do, it’s boring, and truely I am bored, but I wonder if it’s an excuse like you suggested?
Either way, if I whack in an attack class for the week I am happy to count that as some fucking good cardio, and better than a run.
I know for me it is because last year I loved it desperately. I loved doing it and no amount of time on the treadmill was enough. Now, blah, I don’t wannas. I know it’s not for everyone. My cousin does classes and she LOVES them. It’s something we hope to get into later in the year to mix it up a bit.
Monetary and reward incentives definitely work for me! Pick something you REALLY want that you have been lusting after forever though!
I’m like you – get very bored walking on the treadmill. I sometimes simultaneously watch TV while reading twitter while on the exercise bike…
I’m like a donkey with a carrot. Dangle some cash in front of me and I’m anybodies… Well, you know, within reason. Haha.
And wait until you hear this! My gym has THE WORST phone reception, you can’t even load a page on twitter. It’s like a black out. The worst.
I used to go to the gym. Now I loathe it. It takes so much motivation, and motivation is overrated.
Now my main exercise is that I go to a running group. It’s called running fit. It costs me about $100 per month for 2 sessions a week, so I am not inclined to miss it if I am feeling a bit of CBF. My group is lovely and my coach challenges me, and I enjoy seeing them as much as anything else. I trained for my marathon with them, then got injured, then had to get back to it. I am the slowest in the group but I don’t care.
My tip is to focus on the feeling after; if you are challenging yourself (and getting fitter) you will feel uncomfortable. That’s normal.
Best of luck, Suger!
cilla xx
Great tip! It really is about getting something that motivates you. There’s a running group sign at my gym, I might have to look into it when all my gym buddies take time off to have their babies! 😉
I feel your pain, Melissa. I on myself on the treadmill by doing short high speed intervals. It makes the time fly by.
SSG xxx
Intervals, good. I’ll try that.
Sign up for a fun run. I find that motivating — well the potential humiliation of coming last is a motivation anyway 🙂
That might be a good idea. I know some people doing the colour run in October.
Oh yes! AND THAT. Being the person there’s no one left to cheer for. Haha.
I feel the same!! I don’t know why, but now daylight savings has finished my energy has been zapped. I went to the gym last night to run on the treadmill, and struggled with 4km. How did I run a half marathon less than 2 weeks ago?! Just tired, and slow, and bleh. Here’s hoping our energy picks up again xx
You might just be in a post high lull, I’m sure our energy will return. The excitement too.