Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Big Time Runner's Funk! God, It Sucks!

Hi everyone! Yes, I know that I have been MIA for over a month. I have been going through the biggest running funk that I have ever experienced in my life. I ran the Polar Dash on January first and then attempted to start training for the Lake Wobegon Trail Marathon. This marathon is scheduled in early May. Life at my house has been pretty nuts with my hubby working insane hours and my two younger kids busy with sports activities. I am transporting them places every single night of the week. There are nights where I get home at 9 PM. Sometimes when I think about how cranky I have been...the big "B" word comes to mind. I hate feeling that way! I know that if I really wanted to make running a priority that I would find a way to make it work. My options would be getting up at 3:30 Am or staying up super late to do mill runs. Neither one of these seems appealing to me:) Crap! No one said that life would be perfect all of the time....damn, I am due for some of that perfection any day now:)

I have been getting e-mails over the past few months about Grandma's Half Marathon. I wasn't sure if I wanted to run it again this year. This past Friday I got the last reminder e-mail saying that it was the last day to register for the lottery. I figured it was worth a try but didn't expect to get in again this year. Monday morning when I went to work and checked my e-mails I saw that it was confirmed. I was picked to run Grandma's half!! Maybe this is a sign to get off of my butt and start training for real! The good news is that the days are getting longer and we are finally in freaking March! Yes, it is the little things in life....like March in Minnesota!

My next race is in a few weeks. I am running the Get Lucky! 7 K just like I did last year. It is one of the races in the Team Ortho series that I really love! It was one of my top three out of the twenty something races that I ran last year:)

I am looking forward to getting back into blogging! I will be searching for motivation to help me to get back into the swing of things:) Help!

Happy running, biking, swimming, lifting and surfing! Cheers to you all!

64 comments:

  1. Hang in there. I hope the change in season and a new race is just what you need to get back in to the swing of things, because the running funk is yuck. Looking forward to more posts.

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  2. Welcome back! Great running weather is just around the corner in Minnie-sota and you will be lured right out of your funk by the great outdoors!

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  3. Hai Julie, I missed you and am glad that you're back!

    I'm glad it's March too, right now when I look outside the sun is shining and although it's still a bit cold it's a perfect Spring day.

    I would say: come visit my blog some time soon, I'm doing so great with my running since the start of this year, maybe you'll find some motivation there.

    I'm thinking about you every day because the calender you send me is hanging above my desk at home and I see it everytime.

    Have fun with picking up your training again.

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  4. YAY! I was just thinking about you the other day. Thinking about where you've been, then I thought, well maybe it's me b/c I've been terrible about staying caught up on my blog reading. Crazy work schedule! Glad you are good and that you are back. The motivation will come especially with a couple of great runs in the hopper!

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  5. sunshine = funk-breaker! Welcome back!

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  6. Nice to see your posts again. Hope all will work out, kids schedules, hubby hours and your training. Spring is just around the corner and that in itself will help.

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  7. Woah! Back from the running dead! Welcome back, Julie!

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  8. Ok, 3:30am would be a bit insane to workout. But, you're right, it's March and time for a fresh start. I'm with you!

    And how fun, a 7k, I love the weird, random distances.

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  9. Hi Julie!
    welcome back:) crazy schedules is right...I did my workout at 4am this morn:(

    but

    I got into the half at Grandmas!

    D

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  10. Great to see you back blogging. First day of March is first day of Spring as far as I'm concerned, time for fresh beginnings. So come on Julie, lace up those running shoes and launch for the stars.

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  11. Welcome back, you know we are always have open arms

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  12. Glad to see you back! And glad to see you are running the Grandma's half. Your blog was one of the very first running blogs I found - it would be great to meet you (I'm running the full).

    Come on SPRING!

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  13. Hey Julie, first of all SO GOOD TO HEAR FROM YOU! Life is a cycle, it has it's ups and downs and mostly we are just along for the ride. You are a real runner, so I am sure soon enough that flow will come back around to you and you'll be up and out of there in no time!

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  14. without having any particular race to train for these days. I have enjoyed just picking and choosing my running spots when i can. no worries how many miles or pace. if during the day i realize - WOW - i have 45-60 minutes. lace um up and go for the lenght of time i have. funny thing, i have been able to get in 4-5 runs a week in this way. plus, i seem to enjoy the runs even more than having a set training schedule. having a pair of running shoes, shorts, sweats or whatever always in the car ready to go has helped as well. pull into a park, change in the bathrooms - boom off for 3 or 5 miler.

    Training for a Marathon is different. 3:00 AM is my wake up for any long runs.

    Take Care Julie! Great to read something from ya! You have been missed.

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  15. This year the blahs seem worse than usual - hope the upcoming races kick you into gear!

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  16. Life does get crazy sometimes... Nothing like an upcoming race to help with getting your mojo back.. good luck. Glad you are back!

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  17. Good to have you back Julie! I'm sure the upcoming races will get you on track. My life is also full and busy at the moment but luckily my running is going great.

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  18. I was just thinking about you when I got your comment.... need to email you back, will do so soon, promise!

    Please don't look at me for motivation - me and the boot aren't making a lot of progress in the workout department. I rode the trainer yesterday and thought it was a death sentence - ha!

    Good to see you back, have missed you tons!!
    ((hugs))

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  19. Hey Julie--We've all missed you! You're such a ray of sunshine out there.

    I hope life eases up a bit for you soon...you sound like you'd love to get back on track. Hang in there.

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  20. Hi Julie, welcome back! sounds like you'll be back into it in no time...you've got a race in a couple of weeks and it's great that you got picked for the half marathon!! Hope the business of life slows down a bit for you and you can enjoy running again.

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  21. I'm in wicked funk right now too. Never been down this path before ... it's very weird. I have a half marathon in 2 weeks that I had pinned high hopes on, and now I'm just hoping I'll be able to finish it in one piece. Hopefully we both shake out of this soon. Take care.

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  22. Best motivation for me is signing up for a race. Maybe that's why I run 20+ races a year :)

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  23. Hey, I've missed you! :) I hope your funk leaves you. Maybe the Grandma's half will give you the shot in the arm you need. You know that once you get it in gear again you'll be feeling it. It's just getting re-started.

    Hooray for spring! It can't come soon enough.

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  24. Hi Julie! I've missed seeing your smiling face : ) That's great about the Grandma Half! I've had a lousy February running wise, so I'm right there with you!

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  25. bah... it's going to get above 24 degrees, and you're gonna snap that funk like a frozen twig....

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  26. Hi Julie! Glad you are back, I think everyone is crazy right now. The running funk is going around bloggyland I think.

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  27. hope the mojo comes flooding back! I know that life can make it difficult, but when you feel ready a window will open

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  28. Hey Julie, I had a big smile when I saw that you had posted. Half marathons are the best. You can totally get ready for that. Just do the miles, don't worry about the speed. Have fun with it!

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  29. Yeah, you are back!! I missed your blog!! Sometimes we just need a little break to reset and refocus. I'm glad you got the spot at the half marathon, this will help to get some motivation back! Good luck!!

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  30. Congrats on getting into the half. Hopefully that will be just the motivation you need to get out of the funk.

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  31. Hello Julie - yes, we missed you for sure. I have a friend that ran the Lake Wobegon Trail Marathon last year. (his first)

    Maybe try to commit to 3-4 days a wk of training. I think you will find your mojo as soon as you have a few training days/weeks behind you. Just get out the door. That's the hardest part, and you never regret it once you out there.

    I have a feeling the Get Lucky 7K will be inspiring and fire you up again. Ready for a race report.

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  32. Ugh..sorry about the funk! I've had my fair share of being in a funk this year and I know how much it sucks!
    I think getting into the 1/2 mary was definitely a sign! Now you have something to work towards! Having a goal has always helped me get out of a funk!

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  33. Hang in there, Julie! I have been thinking about you a lot and have missed you so much! I'm glad to hear you're okay... and I don't think you could ever be called a "B". No way. It's okay to take some time off, take care of your family, and rest up before you start training FOR GRANDMA'S!!! DO IT!! :)

    I miss you! Take care.
    A

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  34. great to have you back julie. i think with a packed life and juggling demands and priorities it can make us appreciate our running even more in the knowledge that we're not being selfish about it and have seen to others needs

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  35. Hi Sweet Lady! I've been thinking about you, a little worried as well. I'm so happy you are doing well...and a funk is nothing to worry about, right?!
    Keep up with the blogging, we'll keep you motivated and excited and it's great that you have some new plans!
    Hugs and thanks for your sweet comment!

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  36. Julie, running funks are the worst. I hope that having some races on the horizon help pull you out of the funk. I don't think being so busy is helping..balancing everything is really hard to do. Hang in there! You'll be back soon enough.

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  37. Hi Julie, good to see you're back blogging and still planning to run a race!

    I'm trying to run four times a week although last Sunday I didn't run the Rome's half marathon. Stefano ran it. Paola didn't!

    Hope you'll have a nice training!

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  38. Good to see you back in the blogosphere! I will be running Get Lucky as well! I hear you on not having time to run. When I was student teaching it seemed like I could never find time!

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  39. We've missed you! I was tempted to sign up for the Garry Bjorklund lottery, but decided not to because my knee is still acting up. I'll try next year.

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  40. Welcome back again. We missed your posts.
    I am sure that you will find the time to run, now we are (running) addicted.
    Have a good week-end.

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  41. You'll get out of your funk soon! Hope to hear more from you again once life slows down a bit!!!

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  42. Glad you are back, Julie! Congrats getting in the G'ma's half. That will give you a lot of motivation. It's important to take care of the family and the past month has been a good time to take a break. The weather has been stinky! Now that the days are getting longer it will be easier. Have fun!

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  43. HI Julie,
    Yes, welcome back. You have awesome running genes. You will do just fine. I honestly don't know how so many people can continue training & blogging while still trying to do "life". 3:30 a.m. or late at night doesn't work for me either.

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  44. Sorry about the funk! I hope things settle down a bit for you. Hopefully spring will come soon to MN and the nice weather will help.

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  45. Hey Julie! Come back for good! We miss you around here.

    So, you're running Grandmas! I'm running the full there. Perhaps I will see you and actually say hello this time!

    I understand your funk.....I've been there so many times and this freakin' snow and frigid weather certainly doesn't help matters. -20 degree windchill here this morning. It's MARCH!!!!! Good work with the 6.5 the other day! Oh-and I think I'm shrinking too but I refuse to accept it. I will probably be 5'2 at some point and still claiming 5'8. It just makes my BMI sound better-ha! Have a great day Julie! Looking forward to having you back blogging!

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  46. My approaching Dam to Dam training is going to require me getting up early as well. Either that or staying up late. It's funny how if I leave it to late night I talk myself into waiting til morning and then morning comes and I talk myself into a late night run. Viscious cycle. But with three kids...it's tough. :) Good luck and welcome back to blogging!

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  47. Hi friend!;-)

    First...you have A LOT on your plate!! and i don't know virtually anyone who would run at 3:30 am or late late on a TM daily. That just sounds too grueling.

    You will have the time to run. It'll come. ;-)

    And maybe today (monday) you're running while I'm leavin' this comment!

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  48. So good to hear from you! You're not alone in that funk. I too am just not running the way I used to. Don't beat yourself or try to force it. It'll come. That s what I tell myself anyway.
    Congrats on getting in Grandmas again!

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  49. Sounds like a little race time with "Grandma" is just what the doctor ordered!

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  50. Julie!
    Before you disappear for another month or two....
    That is some good Karma winning a lottery spot. Take full advantage.

    Also, why do 3:30AM runs sound nice? Cuz they do.
    Good luck with your crazy schedule!

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  51. Welcome back. Sounds like a crazy schedule. I've got 3 little kids myself, but luckily I also have a stay-at-home wife.

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  52. start with positive self talk, you're not in a running "funk" you were just in a recovery cycle from your 20+ runs last year. I am glad you are getting back on track with one of your favorites, it is sure to keep you motivated along with the Spring Forward tomorrow. More day light=more vitamin D=more fun runs in the sun. Have a great weekend and welcome back, I love your blog and can't wait to hear about this 7K.

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  53. Awesome to hear from you Julie...you were missed! Everyone has ups and downs, but now, spring is coming and the days are getting longer and the sun is shining stronger...you'll be enjoying your runs again soon. Have a blast running that 7K :)

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  54. Don't worry, it's the normal winter process of life meeting darkness and cold. It soon will be warm and the energy will return.

    Now that you are in the Bjorklund, you got something to train for.

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  55. Everyone needs some down time to get their mojo back. I take 8 weeks off every year to avoid burnout.

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  56. funny how those ooops you made it emails really get you to start training :) I think grandma's would be a fun race

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  57. Hey Julie,

    I will be at the Lucky 7K. Only doing the 7K just got over pneumonia and broncitis only have ran 2x since the new year. Wish you the best! I may see you there..

    Blinky

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  58. Welcome back, I wish I would have seen you at the Get lucky!! I hope life gets a little more mellow and the funk goes away, now that it's lighter?

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  59. So glad you're back! I can totally relate to the crazy schedule thing. Life happens and we just have to do what we can to keep our heads above water! Hope things calm down and you can have time to breathe again!

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  60. Hey, really great blog post… I've enjoyed reading through your blog because of the great style and energy you put into each post. I actually run AceHealth.org, a blog of my personal research and experiences. If you're interested, I would love to have you on as a guest blogger. Please send me an e-mail: bob.mauer65(at)gmail(dot)com, and I can give you more information. Looking forward to hearing from you.

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  61. What about you Julie? This morning Stefano, Paola and I we ran a nice 12 km race around our town.

    May you have a beautiful spring!

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  62. Hi there!
    I know you haven't posted for a while, but wanted to reach out and say Hi and hope your running trails are good;-)

    Cheers!

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  63. I Julie
    hope ur good!

    Snow this morning! UGH

    2months til G'mas Half !

    D

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  64. Hey stranger! I hope all is well.

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