I had an epiphany the other day.
I’m not just “unmotivated” right now – as evidenced by my extreme lack of workouts.
I’m burned out.
It all started in early 2010 when I started training for my first triathlon.
And then I kept training and racing and training and racing and training and racing…
I wasn’t running races on back-to-back weekends, and I certainly wasn’t breaking any speed or distance records.
But I constantly had a race/event on my agenda and would immediately start my “next” training program after each crossing of the finish line. (Usually with a 1-week “break” between the race and the first week of the next training session.)
I kept up that pace until March of 2012 after the Sarasota Half Marathon & I immediately stopped running. After 2 half marathons with only 1 week between, I had had enough. (And…well…there’s that pesky anxiety issue too…).
But I still had two cycling events on my calendar, so I couldn’t let up altogether. I may not have been running, but I was still regularly workout out.
Since DNFing getting through this year’s 50+50MON, I have taken the longest “break” I’ve taken in 2+ years. And by “break” I mean “period of not working out at all”.
I walked a bit (like once or twice a week for 2 or 3 miles at a time), and even that was mentally exhausting.
I’d say that’s a SURE sign of a burn-out, no?
Luckily, I’ve really gotten my eating under control & have managed to avoid weight gain during this extended break. (Yay!)
But I’m realizing now that I’m not just losing weight – I’m losing muscle.
I really need to get back out there & start working out again. Whether it’s running, spinning, yoga, cycling, swimming, or walking, I’ve got to start doing SOMETHING.
And I think I’m finally at a point where I feel READY to get back into a workout routine.
Wish me luck.
I was just going to say that but you beat me to it. I bet that weight loss is actually muscle loss. But it’s good that you’re not gaining. If you’re even hating the walks, try reading on the treadmill. That usually makes me forget I’m burning calories if I’m engrossed in something.
I’m running again but I’m still not gung ho about it. It’s getting better though.
So you’re not doing your spinning stuff anymore? I thought you got certified to teach classes?
I’m losing size (not just pounds) so hopefully that’ll translate well once I start to build the muscle up again. Ruts are the worst, but I feel like I’m actually on the upswing this time.
I am certified to teach & am going through a “mentoring” process with my spin instructor. But due to scheduling/vacations/life (on my part and my instructor’s part) I’ve had to miss my class several weeks in a row. I can’t go right now because of Ryan’s surgery – he usually rides his bike home from work on the day I spin, but he’s not cleared for cycling yet (we only have one car and carpool to work, so if he can’t ride home I can’t go to spin). I hope that once things calm down I’ll get back on track and back on the mentoring cycle. I still don’t know if teaching will be “for me” though – it’s hard to tell if I’m just SUPER nervous up there, or if I am going to suck at it!
Good luck! My anxiety is horrible right now and I have a triathlon coming up in August and duathlon in October. So far I’m just taking it with me while I train, hoping to use up some of the adrenaline that just courses through my veins all the time.
My plan is to take a break from races and training plans in the fall, except for a few fun runs in the winter.
I’m sorry to hear about your anxiety. Mine is manageable right now, but I still have bad days every now and then. Hope your races go well & that you can enjoy the downtime after!
Good luck getting back into the swing of working out. I’ve been on a major break too, after my spring race, and I’m finding it hard to get started again. I think you can do it!
Burn out is such a bummer! I’m sure you’ll get your groove back too!