…& How to Get Your Head Back in the Game
I’ve been corresponding via email with a 5K101 trainee and was about to hit send on this email response when it occurred to me there are probably more than a couple other trainees that could relate to this very same problem.
To sum up the issue, this trainee has been stuck on the same week of the 5K101 running/training program for awhile and can’t seem to break through. The trainee recognizes that a lack of commitment is partially to blame and was able to cite several instances where minor setbacks like scheduling conflicts and working late turned into legitimate excuses why a workout just couldn’t be fit in that day.
Then when they finally do square away some time to run the workout all these fatigue issues start popping up. It’s not like they’re out of breath or anything, it just that their (pick your muscle group) just starts to give out and they hit the proverbial wall.
Sound familiar?
The good news is, this is an extremely common issue. The bad news is, it’s one of the most difficult to break through.
Here are my two cents for whatever it’s worth:
You know it’s funny, but I experienced the very same thing this morning. I can’t exactly put my finger on it but I know it has something to do with the fact that I just started this new cardio program that Jillian Michael’s put out. I did it because I knew I was hitting a plateau, which is a nice way of saying that I’ve flat out gotten lazy. I haven’t been pushing myself out of my comfort zone in the least and now that I am starting to push myself, all of a sudden I’m having these fatigue issues.
Case in point, as per Jillian’s instructions, I got up this AM and did a few half-ass push-ups and some jumping jacks and wasn’t really feeling it so I figured I’d go for a quick and easy 2 mile jog, then get back to the program once the blood was flowing a little better. I bet I hadn’t gone a mile before I started thinking about all the other things I needed to get done today (excuses) and in no time it just felt like my whole body wanted to give in completely. Long story short, I ended up just walking home feeling pissed and defeated.
I’ve had some time to dwell on the incident today and then I read your email and instantly knew what my problem was. I don’t have my head in the game because I haven’t fully committed myself. I want all the benefits this new program has to offer but when it comes to doing the actual work all I can think about are excuses why I can’t fit it in.
I’m probably being a little harsh on myself here b/c I know it’s my personal truth, and I don’t mean for it to come across like I’m criticizing you personally or even throwing you in the same boat. I certainly don’t know all the extenuating circumstances going on in your life, but if any of this sounds familiar then the first step is identifying the problem and then making a conscious decision to either get past it or just simply de-commit to this program until such time as you are willing and able to do what it takes.
This doesn’t mean that your 5k training has to be all doom and gloom though!! There is a light at the end of the tunnel I promise! As pretty much anyone who has completed 5K101 will probably tell you, the hardest part was just getting to about Week 5 or Week 6. Usually about that time your body & mind has finally accepted the fact that this is for real and suddenly all the little aches and pains start to diminish and you reach a point where running actually becomes ENJOYABLE!
It’s almost euphoric and hard to put into words, but the first time you go for a 30 minute run that lasts over an hour because you just feel so damn good….well, let’s just say, in that moment, everything you sacrificed and all that pain and suffering you went through to get there will be COMPLETELY worth it. Now you’re making excuses TO run, instead of the other way around.
There are two things I try to focus on specifically when I’m in this situation. First I recruit an accountability partner. Preferably someone who will actually do the workouts with me. It doesn’t have to be, but I’m more likely to do it if I have someone to do it with.
The next trick for me is to out-smart my own laziness. You can do this any number of ways, but for starters give this a shot. Go for a looooooooooooong walk in a straight line. I’m talking 20 minutes long or longer and put some serious distance between yourself and home base. Enjoy yourself and use the time to clear your head of all the distractions going on in your life. Breath deeply. Consider your spouse or someone else you care about and think about something really nice you’d like to say to them that you know would make them smile. (Not trying to get sappy, the point here is to take your mind off the dreaded workout by distracting it with something else).
At this point you’ve walked a significant distance and you have something really exciting to talk about when you get home. That’s when it occurs to you that “Oh crap, I’m like 2 miles away from the house”!
Well, now you have 2 options. You can either walk home or you can run home.
Worst case you get a 40 minute walk under your belt which definitely can’t hurt.
Best case you get a great run in and maybe even get lucky 
Happy Trails,
Todd
P.S. What are some ways you have found to break through barriers in your training? Please leave your tips and strategies in the comment section so others can benefit from your experiences.
Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!
