I have the get up and go to run every other day or everyday for maybe two or three months at a time. Then, out of the blue, I’ll skip a run, then two runs, then the whole week.
I’m currently in one of these ruts(I’m lacing up my shoes right now, I swear) but I was just wondering if anyone has any strategies for getting out of it. Mine is brute force my way back into it until I’m back in the groove. But this usually ends with me doing too many miles too quickly. Then the injury, the the time off, oh the cycle repeats.
What are your strategies for getting out of a rut? Or even better not getting into it in the first place?
I tell myself if I don’t want to run or lift, I’ll walk.
No range goal, just at least 1 hour, wearing athletic clothing, usually with an audio book.
Makes me still feel active/on track
I find taking break is a normal part of good exercise routine. You need recovery time, after all.
To get back to it, I usually start small. 30 minute easy run or gym usually does it for me, and by the end of it I actually want to do more. My thinking process is usually something like “I don’t feel like going, but I owe myself at least 30 minutes. Tomorrow I’ll do something more.”
For me, with biking, I don’t just need a destination, but an objective.
So I’ll bike to get blood work done, then bike home. That’s a good 20 miles with a break in the middle for something productive.
Sometimes it’s the grocery store, or the post office, or the pharmacy. I start associating local destinations with exercise… as opposed to exercise for the sake of it.
Do you switch up your run routes at all? I get the same way after running on the same bike path a few times. Changing the scene could be helpful. Maybe a trail run if you only run on pavement, or driving to a destination for a scenic run.
Yeah that could be it, I usually run from my house due to time constraints, (I work 11am to 11pm). I’d love to find somewhere to do some trail running
For me with running, it’s just do something, maybe a mile at a slow pace, then start building the confidence and the habit again.
The hardest part is starting and not having an expectation of what you should be doing. Doing something is good enough.
Dude! Same, I lose confidence for some reason and have anxiety about running but as soon as I just do it I feel better. It just feels like climbing a mountain sometimes to just get started again.
I’ve been thinking climbing a mountain (or rock wall) would actually be good for my own motivation.
Lol, this exact scenario just happened to me. Went to a class, overcompensated a bit too much for prior laziness, then strained my left ankle. Just went yesterday again after a few weeks. Plus…Cyberpunk and Phantom Liberty didn’t help matters at all.
Same. Got my steam deck week before last. It really cut into my running time.
Try something different. Take a cardio boxing class, or try a group run and meet some new people. Just getting out of your routine for a day can be enough to get out of that rut.
