This post is sponsored by Zappos.
I received the following message from a client recently and I wanted to write a post about it ever since because I know she’s not alone.
“I need inspiration. Here is how I feel about running: I used to LOVE it, now it scares me. I don’t know what to wear anymore to not be too hot or too cold, I am terrified of taking a walk break because people ‘see’ me out for a run, I don’t know how far I can go and still get back to my car. I feel guilty because I can’t take my dog anymore because she’s too old. Help. I love your blog and need a boost. I thought if I feel like this, others may as well?”
If you’re a runner odds are that you have found yourself in a rut with running at some point. There are many things that lead to ruts…injuries, demanding schedules, new routines, self-doubt, boredom, health issues, life changes and much, much more. Regardless of the thing (or combination of things) that got you into a rut, it’s a frustrating and demotivating place to find yourself and it can be really hard to pull yourself out.
I have shared many stories on my blog in the past about the up and down relationship that I’ve had with running during the almost 20 years that I’ve been doing it. I’ve definitely had my fair share of ruts and and times where I questioned why I even bothered with running when it caused me so much frustration and heartache.
But every time I’ve pulled myself out of these ruts and found my way back into my running shoes and out onto the road, it’s been worth it one thousand times over. It’s not always easy to start over, but the reward of reconnecting to running and how it makes me feel is worth the work.
I wanted to share tips for breaking yourself out of a running rut. It’s my hope that this post a) helps anyone in a running rut feel less alone and b) gives you actionable steps making your way out of it when you are ready.
START WHERE YOU ARE TODAY
The single most meaningful piece of advice that I have to offer is to meet yourself where you are today, and just start with that. If you focus on how much fitness or speed you’ve lost, you likely aren’t going to feel very empowered or motivated. If you dwell in a space of questioning everything and doubting your ability, you’re going to feel stuck. I get the guilt piece of it…it shows up in so many ways from leaving your dogs behind to taking time away from our kids to choosing a run over a lunch date with a friend…but y’all…our feeling good and strong and clear in body and mind is one of the greatest gifts that we can give our friends, family and furry loved ones.
Where you are today is enough and all the strength you need to take those first steps is within you.
IDENTIFY YOUR WHY
One of the first things that I do when working with new clients in the fitness space is have them identify their why. When you have a big picture clarity about why you want to make a change, it can help when the day-to-day is tough or feels like a grind. Identifying WHY you run and what you love about how it makes you feel can help you get through those hard and uncomfortable runs when you are coming out of a rut.
SET A NEW GOAL
Just this week I was chatting with a running partner while we were on a run about how she feels that she’s stuck at a certain speed and is having difficulty breaking a 5K time that she wants to hit. Even though she can run 3.1 miles like it’s nothing, I asked if she had considered actually TRAINING to race a 5K….following a specific plan, doing speed work and choosing a goal race.
Sometimes knowing that you’re spending 6, 8, 12 weeks following a set plan and working towards a goal can offer the consistency that you need to break out of a rut and get back into a good groove.
I really want to stress that goals don’t have to be about running faster or a crazy amount of miles! I have found a lot of freedom in running for fun and not focusing so much on time but it can still be motivating to set goals within that.
PHONE A FRIEND
Speaking of running buddies, ask a friend to help you get out of your rut. This can work in a few different ways. I’m a big fan of accountability partners. Share your desire to get out of your rut and back on the road with a friend and ask them to follow up with you at regular intervals to check your progress and cheer you on. You can also recruit a friend in joining you for standing run dates or training for a specific race. Joining running groups can be a fun way to feel a sense of community and support as well.
GET SOME NEW GEAR
On a lighter note, I don’t know about y’all but a new pair of running shoes or a new running outfit gets me pretty excited to get out and take them for a test run! I recently ordered a new pair of ASICS Gel-Nimbus 22 from Zappos and I have had them on my feet every day since they arrived!
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 22
These shoes are super comfortable. I have worn them for a run, a long walk and for hanging out around the house. Here are some of the features of the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 22.
- The ASICS Gel-Nimbus 22 is a neutral running shoe designed to deliver soft cushioning and a more responsive stride.
- The updates to the Gel-Nimbus for the 22 model focus on softness with bigger sections of GEL technology cushioning and FLYTEFOAM Propel technology under the heel. If you like a cushioned feel to your running shoes, these shoes are for you!
- Roomy toe box and a breathable mesh upper.
- These shoes are designed absorb shock and impact to support you in spending more time on your feet.
SHOE SHOPPING AT ZAPPOS IS THE BEST!
There are so many reasons that I love shopping for shoes at Zappos but did you know that they offer a 30-day unlimited guarantee with all running shoes!? You have 30 days to try out your new running shoes and if you decide that they’re not for you…you can send them back! That is awesome!
I’m a Zappos VIP Member and get amazing benefits like:
- Free next day business shipping with no minimum purchase.
- Rapid refunds when returning items. The refund is issued as soon as UPS scans the package.
- I earn one point for every $1 spent and can redeem points for VIP Codes. And being a Prime member, I earn an extra one point on every $1 spent through linking my Amazon Prime membership.
- I get 5 points per day for just logging into Zappos and 10 points for leaving reviews on items that I’ve purchased.
If you’re trying to get yourself out of a running rut, or just in the market for new running shoes, you have nothing to lose in trying the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 22! You can order them through Zappos, get free one day shipping and send them back after a test run if they don’t work for you. (But I think you’ll love them.) They also come in a very pretty rose gold color too! 🙂
QUESTIONS
Have you ever been in a running rut? What did if feel like? How did you get out of it?
What’s the most challenging thing for you when it comes to running consistently?
Do you like a cushioned feel with running shoes?
All photos Deeana Kourtney Photography.