Lost my racing mojo

[roadstrailstris]

I've been doing road races and triathlons for years, and I used to love the whole thing- loved putting together training plans, doing the training, and competing in the races. Lately, I just don't feel it. I hated doing the last two half marathons I've run- didn't really enjoy the training or the actual race. I'm doing a short tri this morning and am kind of looking forward to it, but not that much. I still enjoy working out six days a week, but not training for an event so much. How do I get my racing mojo back?

[wherestheportojohn]

Stop entering events for awhile.
Run and bike and swim for the fun and fitness aspects.

{{rtt's mojo}}}

[caito]

I kind of feel the same way. I love training and will always run most days, but I'm just not into planning for races.  Too much hassle, I'd rather just run.   

I do want to train for a fall marathon though.

[Ice Cream]

I saw your thread about the accident. I did not want to read it...  too scary.

I know what you are talking about, too. I like to run 6 days/week, but I have long long given up on detailed training plans and gearing up for races, etc. 

What I do instead is pick a marathon (if I feel like it) and just do some long runs in the twelve-week period leading up to it, gradually increasing mileage.  I do not bother with anything else like speed work and building up mileage and the stuff that training plans are made up with. I just do what I like for the rest of the time.
I have no expectations for my finishing times, either. I tend to have natural speed, when comparing myself to my age groups over the years (decades).

What I do know is that triathlon training is very demanding in terms of training.  I only did half ironman races, when I was into tris, but I got out of the tris because of the demands of the training in each sport. Plus, I was becoming a slow runner and I did not enjoy how difficult running became.

Just my two cents. I just do what I want to do each day, without much of a grand plan.

[Plugging Along]

I like the race atmosphere, especially the longer ones.

Sometimes I don't know if I want to run the race.
I'll go to the race and make a last minute decision
of entering the race or volunteering at a water station.

The out of town road trip is what I really look forward to.
The race is the excuse to hit the road.

[merigayle]

What about finding a race in a new destination (even drivable) as a way to explore a new area? or trail running? or just taking a break from runs.

[kevin871]

I too have lost my racing mojo. For now I'm just doing a lot of easy runs. Maybe consider training for a shorter race (e.g. 1 mile) and focus on speed to mix things up.

[siamesedream]

I just had a week of low running motivation, I get these every once in a while.

[radial]

I think the thrill of racing eventually wears thin for everyone.  At some point, it's not so much about finding some magic formula for rekindling the urge to race.  It's about figuring out what is going to motivate you to keep on running after racing loses its luster. 

[Richard21142]

My mojo came back when I started taking vitamin D.

[iwuzwilson]

try something different

This. Have you ever done XC? XC on a team? Mountain running, sky running? And on the other end of the spectrum, track and field, including sprints and middle distances, or even some field events?

And just mixing up, changing your goals, goal races, venues.

[i am party]

Do you have training partners, or are you a member of a club? Camaraderie often yields mojo.

[JBM]

I said this yesterday as well. I ran a 5 mile race. One of my favorites since there is beer after. I don't have any kick and I've slowed down a bit. I've also had a year of injury and it's sapped my strength/energy overall.

I've never really gone out of my way with training programs, speed work etc when marathon training. I just made sure I got in a long run over the weekend and 2-3 runs during the week, plus other cardio. I do wonder what I could have done for times if I made more of an effort, but I was fairly satisfied with what I was able to accomplish without getting too serious about training.

I would suggest trying trail running. I enjoy the trails so much more than the road these days. It made running a bit more exciting for me.

[ihop]

RTT, I am in the same boat.  I have done a few local 5Ks this spring but the longer distances that I used to love have lost their luster.  I still run six days a week but I am not racing - and I am don't miss it.  I will register for the Army 10 Miler because it is a tradition but don't have my eye on anything else.  And this is OK. 

[iwuzwilson]

I sometimes think about downsizing and just running for an hour or so a day, but I still enjoy most races. Not as into track, and road "races" are more like road events anymore, so I'm pretty selective with those. Alternatively, maybe I'm just not smart enough to know when to quit after doing this for the better part of 40 years.

[Zapatista]

I went from 20 races a year for 15 years to once or twice a year. Not even sure why, although a five mile race where I barfed three times before mile two might have had something to do with it. I guess I got sick of it but I wish I hadn't cut down so drastically. I miss being pleasantly tired after a hard race.

[Handsome Jack]

This was me last year. I took some time off and just ran for me. I find I am enjoying the races I have entered more now.

[Mom of Scooby]

Races for me now have become more social than anything else.. Friends doing it and hanging out after... An overnight... Just general socializing... It's pretty lonely to do by yourself


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[iwuzwilson]

Races for me now have become more social than anything else.. Friends doing it and hanging out after... An overnight... Just general socializing... It's pretty lonely to do by yourself

I kind of like coming under the radar, and leaving with folks whispering "who was that guy?"

[i am party]

I kind of like coming under the radar, and leaving with folks whispering "who was that guy?"