This isn’t the first post I’ve written where I blab on and on about how I got burned out with running, took a break, had some kind of light at the end of the tunnel epiphany and found my way back to it a couple months later. Nope, not the first, and I’m comfortable knowing it won’t be the last.
This ebb and flow is normal for me and it typically starts the same way, but the differences between each time is how I end up finding my way back.
It is just me, or does the map of my route look like a person crawling on the ground? Like me crawling back into running more.
I just got back from a trip to the Midwest/east coast to attend a wedding and explore with my dear friend Lily, and I had two very enjoyable runs. Running in a new area always helps rekindle the flame as it’s one of my favorite ways to explore.
I’m in a place of contentment with any distance and any time, which makes each run more enjoyable. My first run through Orion, Michigan was a simple 3 miler for a mere 30 minutes, but it was just what I needed.
The second run was a 5 miler through Highland Park in Rochester, a beautiful plot of land in upstate New York. I stopped a handful of times to take photos, which is something I never used to deem acceptable while on a run.
How silly of me.
I used to feel like stopping for a breath, for a photo, or even a sip of water meant I wasn’t strong enough to run all the way through. This mindset never quite matched with my “run for fun” mentality because I’m not competitive, I’m in the middle of the pack, and I enjoy my mediocre pace, but stopping – heaven forbid.
In reality these microbreaks encourage me to go further and motivate me to run more often.
The park was hilly, but I focused on my surroundings and enjoyed each step. The path led to a lookout over the city with visual stimulation everywhere including this reservoir.
It should come as no surprise that the green trees, blue skies, and fresh air motivate me to move more. I also blame sitting in a car for hours while on a road trip, which also happened last week (more on that later.)
I get restless. And I snack. A lot.
Balance is my favorite word for a reason, and when activities are rotated and spinning like a wheel it ensures minimal burnout, and maximal excitement.
Q: How do you prevent activity/workout burnout?
Blissfulbritt 