Analysis: time to turn things around

Earlier today, I updated my running calendar in Figma and looked back over the past few weeks. Turns out that in the last 7 weeks, I've run only 7 times. Considering one of my goals for the tail end of 2023 was to get back to running on average 3 times a week, running just once a week recently means my frequency has decreased by a whopping 67%. And they've not even been long runs. That's pretty alarming and represents a real threat to my continuation of this 'hobby'. 😬

Google Maps backs up the claim I've barely done any running lately; red bars are injury months

So what changed? I suspect it's a couple of things.

First, work has been stressful. Mostly, I've piled the pressure on myself with poor time management and my inability to turn away requests for help (which then contributes to my poor time management). The feeling that "I really need to get on with this" has definitely made me less able to go for a run at lunchtime.

Secondly, I became disillusioned. I think the first thing that really knocked me here was my performance in the orienteering score event back in February. Sure, that was less about fitness than navigation skills, but it made me think I wasn't cut out for orienteering. And making a difference to my orienteering had, to that point, been my main source of motivation for running in 2024.

The other source of disillusionment came with my performance in the Allendale Challenge. So many injuries haunted me on that that it made me think my body was being inexorably drawn into old age and simply couldn't cope with what I was asking of it.

But... then I have glimmers of hope too. Moments of genuine excitement at my achievements, like the time I smashed my course PB at Denton Dene, despite feeling I'd done terribly. And today, for that matter, where I easily beat my best time for running into work and was on course for a 10K PB.

These moments are enough to make me believe again, even if only briefly. These moments are the ones I need to build upon. The only question is: how? I can really go for a good time one parkrun weekend, I guess; show myself what I'm really capable of. I can take positive action and sign up for another 10K, as I've promised myself so many times. And I can get out of bed earlier to give myself a chance for a run without requiring lunchtime slots. (That last one might be an ask too far! 😂)

Right now, I'm making no promises, as I'm tired of breaking them. But let's hope today marks the start of an upward trend, both in terms of the frequency of my running and in my mood regarding it. I need this.