Running through quicksand

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I’ve been clocking up some awesome times at track lately. But it’s not necessarily because I’ve been working hard. It might be simply down to guilt. You see, although I’ve tried to be quite disciplined in attending track, my easy runs on weekdays and weekends have really suffered.

In the last two weeks, I skipped my easy runs on both Tuesdays and Thursdays, made excuses on Fridays, rolled over and went to bed last week Saturday. The only long distances I’ve managed to squeeze in has been the RAC 10km race and more recently, the Boskruin 10.5km Sunday run.

Lately, I cannot get out of bed for a run

But in reality, it feels as if I’m running through quicksand.

I keep blaming:

  • The Comrades runners who are tapering. Shouldn’t the supporters also be tapering?
  • Load shedding and the traffic which prevents me from getting home early enough
  • Winter is coming. I’m not a big fan of running in the cold. My ears ache. My fingers freeze. It’s dark… I’ll save this for another blog post.

When I was young, I recall watching those cowboy movies where anyone falling in quicksand was doomed to die. That there was no way out and as much as you tried, the sand would eventually swallow you whole.

People falling into (and, unrealistically, being submerged in) quicksand or a similar substance is a trope of adventure fiction, notably in movies. According to Slate, this gimmick had its heyday in the 1960s, when almost 3% of all films showed someone sinking in mud, sand, or clay. ~ Wikipedia

People falling into (and, unrealistically, being submerged in) quicksand or a similar substance is a trope of adventure fiction, notably in movies. According to Slate, this gimmick had its heyday in the 1960s, when almost 3% of all films showed someone sinking in mud, sand, or clay. ~ Wikipedia

I’m feeling exactly like that. I’m stuck in the sand and cannot move or make an effort.

I know what’s missing. It’s the lack of discipline and consistency on my part. I know that the less I run, the less I want to run and so the less I do run. It’s a vicious circle. It is harder to find that motivation during winter and I’m already struggling to do so.

So I guess as long as I continue to track sessions and commit to at least trying to get out there, I’ll be okay. I need to buckle down and recommit. It’ll be worth it come spring time!

(Images: Google)

12 thoughts on “Running through quicksand”

  1. I am feeling the same way and it hasn’t helped that I got sick and didn’t run for nearly 3 weeks! Did a run on Saturday and it SUCKED. Badly.

    I am determined to get back on the road tho especially since I have entered two half marathons! I find that using a buff to cover my mouth. nose and ears has helped with the cold pain in my throat and ears – maybe try this?

    xxx

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  4. Sounds like you need either a goal or perhaps a month off – its ok to take one month a year off (or easy) – give yourself that gift.

    Ok race number is 24254 (so you can cyberstalk me) – running in VOB colours. Already in Durban for a few days of business – though I have a bit of a fuzzy head – not sure if its just nerves or too much exposure to all the flu (my son, the ex, my colleagues) going around. I’m not religious but pray for me, I think I might need every bit of help I can get. #terrified

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    • I’m big on numbers and yours look like a good one! And the nerves. Eish if you didn’t have them is be worried! This is huge! I can’t wait and so excited for all of you! HAVE AN AWESOME RACE!

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      • Thank you – had a great run on the day – everything came together perfectly. Ran the first 20km with 2 slower mates – best thing I did all day – never got to that point of feeling completely empty – felt like I could have run another 10km at the finish if I had too. Thanks for the support.

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