I have been completely healed from my broken leg for a long time now. It has caused 0 residual pain for...well, since it healed. I only wish my other side was strong and awesome as that side. lol.
But I have zero desire to race. One of my sponsorship renewed me and I was immediately excited because they believed in me (how corny), and yay free races and clothing! But as soon as that faded a few hours later, I was thinking, "crap, now I have to race or pay for the clothing."
I want to want to race soooo badly. I miss my friends and the community. But it just does not sound fun. At all. Training sounds miserable. Racing sounds more miserable.
I force myself to swim 1x/week but I just don't like it. I ride my bike once a week too, but I don't love it.
Is this the end of triathlons for me? Should I just accept it? Or should I sign up for a small Sprint and see if it brings back my passion?
I have a lot of other things going on career wise and I guess I just don't want more commitments and stress. At the same time, I am work a lot from home and exercise anyway so it's not like the time is not there.
Anyone experience a love for racing and have it go away -- and never come back? Is racing ultimately just a phase?
I think everyone goes through phases like that. I've gone years without having a race and just running for fun and then get back into it. I don't think you're done for good but maybe for the just now.
I'm currently going through that, so I vote that it's normal. I might sign up for a sprint to test the waters. If you don't love it, continue to lay low for a bit.
I think you should sign up for a tri to test yourself. When I'm in the off-season I start feeling like - how did I ever do all that training and racing?! But then when it comes time to train and race again I love it!
I'm currently going through that, so I vote that it's normal. I might sign up for a sprint to test the waters. If you don't love it, continue to lay low for a bit.
Igh me too. I'm going to run a half in April but if I still have the feelings of blah I've been having then I'm done for awhile
I'm currently going through that, so I vote that it's normal. I might sign up for a sprint to test the waters. If you don't love it, continue to lay low for a bit.
Igh me too. I'm going to run a half in April but if I still have the feelings of blah I've been having then I'm done for awhile
Yes, me too. Ya know, after Boston & Mountains 2 Beach. Awesome timing, clseale!
Post by venice2007 on Jan 21, 2016 15:11:30 GMT -5
I went thru a phase like that after my 2000 miles and I'm just getting back to enjoying running or the idea of racing. The idea of racing last month and this month actually made me cry. I dnf'ed one race and didn't sign up for any until just recently for next month. I think time off and away from it helps. Finding other things helps too. I know you mentioned loving yoga and the inversions and such, maybe do more of that for a while. You'll be surprised how much you may want to race again after time off!
Post by katandkevin on Jan 21, 2016 15:15:27 GMT -5
I am going through the same thing right now. I haven't raced since I did IMFL in 2014. I am still active and do crossfit 3 times a week but the thought of fitting in all the tri training exhausts me. I too am at a crossroads with all of it.
yay for being healed! I don't think signing up for a sprint would be a bad idea. It's short enough that if you get through it and you don't have your mojo back then at least you didn't waste a whole ton of time training...but if you do it and you're all "YAY I LOVE TRIS AGAIN!" then you can hit the ground running. And swimming. And biking
So take a break. If you force yourself to do it, itll be torture, why do that to yourself?
Do something else, whatever sounds fun. And then after a while im sure youll miss it. If not, thats ok too. Dont judge yourself for not wanting to do it!!
Definitely take a break! I currently have absolutely NO desire to swim or bike, so I'm just going with it.
I think it's totally normal to have phases like this... I took about 7 years off of triathlon between my first 70.3 and my full IM. Who knows, it might be another 7 years til my next tri.
But yay that you're healed! I just think you need to give it time and do whatever sounds fun right now
Post by keweenawlove on Jan 21, 2016 18:48:53 GMT -5
Take some time off. Just because you step back now doesn't mean it's forever. My mom is 55 and still committed to racing. I have a couple year spurt where I just didn't care about racing, partly due to finishing a PhD and moving but I also just needed a break from always caring if I got enough of the right workouts in. I'm just getting back in again and it's refreshing to be back. I think if you keep pushing when your heart's not it in, you're more likely to just burn out.
I haven't had a big race since 2013! I've been injured but bouncing back and I'm glad I had to take a break, it's made me appreciate everything I've done. I'm so ready to get back into it!
Nothing wrong with taking a break. If you aren't happy and having fun, what's the point?
Post by reginaphalange72 on Jan 21, 2016 23:41:58 GMT -5
Don't stress about it. We've all had times when we've been burned out on some activity or another. I'm currently in the same boat as you. I was supposed to do IM Boulder last year, and I had just had enough tris for a while. I have no desire to train or race tris any time soon. It was really relieving to finally say I was taking a break from it and not continue to feel the weird combined guilt and stress from feeling like I should be training, but not wanting to.
Take some time off and do whatever sounds fun to you. You can always come back and do some tris again later if you feel like it. Or go for the sprint to feel it out, but don't stress if you're not feeling it.
I'm glad that you're healed. I think it's normal and vote that you take a break, then sign up for a sprint with no expectations once you feel up to it. I was burned out after IMFL in 2008 and still haven't fully returned to training or racing mode. I've continued to stay active though and have done a number of races since then with the sole goal of finishing, because I do still love being around the tri community.
I think it's normal and if you aren't having fun, there is no use in killing yourself to race. I do like your idea of a small sprint to test the waters before you decide to lay low. You never know. That race may light your competitive fire again.
And yay for being full healed! That's wonderful news.
Hi. My name is Reg with Coeur Sports. We came across your post and saw this quote:
One of my sponsorship renewed me and I was immediately excited because they believed in me (how corny), and yay free races and clothing! But as soon as that faded a few hours later, I was thinking, "crap, now I have to race or pay for the clothing."
If by chance, you're referring to Coeur, then rest easy knowing that there's no way, we'd make you pay for your clothing. I don't know if we've ever really explained this very well, but one of the main reasons we sponsor people is because we want them to inspire others to live a lifestyle of health and fitness. We try to explain it in this blog www.coeursports.com/blogs/latest/27536705-the-coeur-sports-ambassador-program, but that doesn't 100% capture the intent.
We know that life is complex and that there are plenty of ways to be a good role model other than racing. Sometimes it's cheering, sometimes it's just working out with a friend, and sometimes its showing that everyone needs a break from time to time. So maybe, we're just trying to find people that are "real".
So, if you were referring to Coeur, then please don't let us add at all to your worries. Just take a break (but don't stop moving) and do whatever feels right for you. Of course, if you weren't referring to us, then I feel a tad bit foolish.
Post by CallingAllAngels on Jan 22, 2016 20:48:07 GMT -5
Yeah, I agree with joenali. I like my Coeur tri kit but it's a little creepy that their people pop up here every time they are mentioned (and even when they aren't!).
gumi, I have no advice except that all of this is supposed to be fun. If you aren't having fun, maybe experiment with some new things.
Post by foundmylazybum on Jan 23, 2016 12:57:22 GMT -5
Hey buddy! You know I often feel a kinship with you and I do now with this post. Something that stuck out for me was that you feel like you have a lot going on with your career. Maybe just look at how much energy you are putting into your job and your family and all the other things that are happening in your life and see if they are taking away the extra energy it takes to do athletics right now.
If that's true then evaluate how that makes you feel. Does it bother you? Do you need to make a change to bring back balance to the Gumi force lol? If you aren't missing racing or working out so much then maybe the break is needed! Maybe it's time to focus on other areas right now. But if it bothers you, then look at ways to find the energy needed to put towards sports.
Also, lol to the rep. "IF you are talking about another sponsor I'd feel awkward?" This is an awkward moment for you no matter what.