Momentum is key in running
I don’t mean forward momentum, which many people say is important, I mean daily momentum. Up until Christmas, I was committed and motivated to work out at least 3-4 days a week. I even ran the day after Christmas (which is pretty much a slacker day in my family). And ran right up until New Years. However, then something bad happened. I had a bad case of shin splints, and decided to take my Friday run off, picking back up on Monday. But then on Sunday night, started getting sick with a cold. It wasn’t a bad cold, nor was it the flu, but it was a very nagging, energy draining cold that left me sleeping in late and choosing against running in the low-30 degree weather. So a week goes by. The following week, I have several deadlines, and my closest friend is leaving town back to Oxford, so I stay up late with him a few nights, and head into work as early as I can. Another week gone with no running. Now, I’m on a new week, already at the end, and I still haven’t ran. WTF? I’m also starting to eat worse, slowly letting more and more bacon into my diet. I’ve lost all progress, motivation, and most importantly, momentum. What to do?
I’m really not sure what the solution is. Three weeks ago, I was actually excited to work out, anxious to write up on this site my workouts, and was telling everybody about the benefits of HIIT. Now, all of my momentum is pointing at my work, where I’m going in at 8am, and leaving at 9. That’s 9pm. I actually love my job, so it’s not hard, but I certainly don’t have time to work 13 hours a day, spend time with my wife, and feel excited about working out. I need to remember that the beautiful part of HIIT is it only take 20 minutes. Oh yeah, did I mention it snowed three inches this week, and I can barely get along the sidewalk without falling down? So, that makes it hard too. I think what I’m realizing is, I need to join another gym. I need to have a place to go when it’s too nasty outside to run. And I need to regain that momentum with the rush of getting a gym membership. But which gym?
Over the next three weeks, I’ve chosen three gyms to try out. I’m going to ask for a temporary 1-week membership at each of them, and see which I like more. It’ll get me motivated because I’ll have a limited amount of time to try each gym, and I’ll only get one shot. Each have different benefits, and are located in different parts of town. Different ones have different friends going, so I should be able to find a partner which ever one I choose, but the real factor will be which one I feel comfortable doing Interval Training in while on a treadmill or quality stationary bike.
I’ll be posting my thoughts over the trial, and hopefully be getting back that precious momentum that will carry me into the spring.
Feb 21st 2008
hi how long should hiit last on a bike?
May 10th 2008
I use to be just like that. I talked to this personal trainer one day and he said the best way to stay motivated is to make a journal of exactly what you do every single day. Honestly it really work when I looked at it on paper it was different. When you see no improvement on paper in terms of reps, sets, and distance and haven’t done anything you feel like a lazy asshole that day then get motivated to get on them running shoes and pull out the wieghts.
Aug 14th 2008
Hi, I did a google on HIIT as I want to add it to my routine. Like you, I hated running. Notice the past tense. I now like running because I’m now on a hormonally balanced diet called the Zone Diet. You can google it for more information, but it is a moderate, balanced diet that yields amazing results. Joslin Diabetes Centers recommends a diet that is almost identical. Dr. Sears, the creator, has worked with athletes that have brought home 24 gold medals. Jenny Thompson was the most prolific Zoner medalist and her count was just surpassed by Michael Phelps a day or two ago.
Christian Vande Velde is a Zoner - he recently finished 5th in the Tour de France.
I’d also recommend spending some google time on “pose running.” It has helped me a lot, but takes some time to get your calf muscle strong enough to support the work load.
I’m a decade your senior and I feel better than ever - and I mean this factually. I really really do feel better than ever. I effortlessly lost 25+ lbs of fat while adding ~70 lbs to my bench press - I started pretty weak.
My foundation is the Zone Diet, pose running is a great tool and I hope to add HIIT as another tool in my arsenal.
Best of luck in your exercise adventures.