No Mo Jo

[stella]

After having had a bad cold for about 3 weeks I finally managed to get out for a run. This felt dreadful, I wasn’t expecting to feel great, but this just felt terrible and after 18 years of running, I’m now the least fit I’ve ever been. I am now contemplating stopping running completely and maybe attempting something different, knitting maybe….Seriously though after taking up running in 1994 I’ve done countless races, including many half marathons, 12 marathons and lots of fell races including the 4 Inns 40 mile race twice. Long Eaton Running Club was my joy, where I joined in 2000, my idols included Richard Ford, John Birch, Ian Whyte, Dale Corner and Rod Harris to name a few. We all trained hard and enjoyed success with our individual goals and thanks to those mentioned and the hard work and also some serious positive mental training I eventually achieved my goal with a PB at Nottingham for the marathon of 2 hours 52 minutes. My running however has been on the decline over the last few years and numerous calf injuries, plantar fasciitis in both feet coupled with a loss of mojo I am now completely de-motivated in my running which I used to love and thought I’d never tire of.
Any advice from anyone that has been there or experienced anything similar would be most welcome. Thanks for listening.

[Bag9]

Hey Clive
Im going through the same thing at the moment had a proper shit year personal and running wise and its just got to the point now where I actually dislike running! Ive joined a gym and been trying something different and absolutely love it, never would I have even thought about it if I hadn't had problems with my stupid knee. Ive decided that im gonna give running a knock on the head for now and maybe down the line my mojo will come back

Hope you feel better soon
Bags

[Shep]

Have you considered road cycling? A mile running is equivalent to 3 or 4 miles cycling. 4 minute mileing is a doddle. Unlike running you can rest, down hill being the obvious one but even free wheel on the flat. (There is of course Off road cycling but I know little about it).
There are loads of clubs around and websites with routes on. You can get a £5 handlebar mount for your Garmin Forerunner 305 etc and follow the line on these routes. Sportive events are great: Country lanes to stops in village halls where there is as much flapjack as you can eat. Drinks bananas and gels.
See http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/sportives
http://vclongeaton.com/VCLE/CLUB_COURSES/COURSES.html
These have two distances from Sawley Marina this Sundays.
Bob Wharmby goes with Beeston cycling club. They have a web site and tend to meet at the Sherwin Arms near Bramcote Baths on sundays.
Tri clubs have long rides on Sundays. You could stick to their cycling events, no need to do a tri.
Come swimming at LETC, WPLC 17:00 to 18:00 sat. http://longeatontriathlonclub.com/
In summer we go outdoor swimming.
Event you might like are:
http://www.greatswim.org/ e.g. a mile in Windermere.

You need a long term goal and stages to see if you are on track with achievable goals. Just like running you need company and a set of mates.
See also http://www.fredwhittonchallenge.co.uk/
There are lots of cyclsts in LERC:
Mark Harrison, Vickie Yeoman, Rob Allen, Rob and Sarah Harris, Phil Walters, Colin Bostock, Alan Maplethorpe, Paul Lewis,John Hay to mention a few.

Have you considered the LDWA. Long Distance Walking association. Event like wilmot wander with food at check points or our cake challenge.

[stella]

Thanks for the comments.
Mo jo is definitely coming back - I'm doing some alternative training in addition to just running, also the bike will be out soon !

[Sonnysunaa]

It's great to hear that Mo jo is coming back. I hope you will get success.