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DougG
Newbie
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Joined: 23 Oct 2003
Posts: 2
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 Posted: 10/23/03 - 11:52 Post subject: Losing motivation along with running partners
About 5 years ago I was strictly a casual jogger until I got "adopted" by a group of runners at our health club (we were all in our 40's and 50's). They managed, within a year, to get me from a maximum distance of 5 miles to running the 1999 Detroit Marathon (not recommended -- it took me 6 months to recover!).
Anyway, since then I have continued to train and run, and have done the same marathon twice more, reducing my time significantly each time (also recovering very quickly due to better training). I only run about a half-dozen events a year, and am really not competitive in my age bracket, but this year I managed to do a PR in every repeat event that I entered (10K, 10 mile, and half-marathon). At 57, I could easily outrun my 45-year-old self.
The problem now is that I've apparently lost all my running partners. Of the 5 of us who ran the marathon in '99, 3 have been completely out of running for a while (age, injuries, and lost interest), and my last steady partner just had knee surgery and I have doubts about him coming back. Plus the old health club closed up and everyone I knew there scattered to other places.
The issue is not having someone to actually run with. Most of the time, I prefer to do my training runs alone. It's more about just having people to talk with, discuss how you're feeling, talk about upcoming events, how you did last year, etc. I almost didn't do the half-M last month simply because I didn't feel very motivated. It helps if there's someone who can appreciate your performance, and it really takes another runner to do it.
Has anyone else had this problem? What did you do about it? The only race left this year is the annual Thanksgiving run in Detroit that I've done for the past 6 years. But right now I really don't feel like getting up at 5AM on a cold November morning to go down and run it by myself. Bummer!
-- DG
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jrjo
Gone Fishin
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Joined: 15 May 2002
Posts: 16451
Location: Lake Wobegon, MN
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Posted: 10/23/03 - 11:56 Post subject: Re: Losing motivation along with running partners
| DougG wrote: | | It's more about just having people to talk with, discuss how you're feeling, talk about upcoming events, how you did last year, etc. I almost didn't do the half-M last month simply because I didn't feel very motivated. It helps if there's someone who can appreciate your performance, and it really takes another runner to do it. |
You've come to the right place!! Pull up a chair, lean back and post like there's no tomorrow 
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bonobo
Member
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Joined: 01 Jan 2003
Posts: 742
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Posted: 10/23/03 - 13:22 Post subject:
jrjo speaks the truth -- motiva galore here!
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purple hayes
Frightened Inmate #2
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Joined: 14 May 2002
Posts: 14462
Location: ON YOUR LEFT!
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Posted: 10/23/03 - 13:35 Post subject:
I think a lot of the people that post here spend most of their trainging hours alone but log on here for motivation.
It works well for lots of folks because you don't have to be somewhere at a set time to meet someone else. Just drop in a get some motivation when it's convenient for you.
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MechEngDropout
Member
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Joined: 27 Jun 2003
Posts: 10474
Location: Off the grid
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Posted: 10/23/03 - 16:54 Post subject:
This place does help a little with the motivation. None of my friends really run in the sense that I do, so I kinda know how you feel. Maybe check out a local running store. Many people there will gladly talk about running, even if you don't buy anything. Or join a local running club. I will probably join a local one here soon. If nothing else, you get good discounts on race entries.
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Running Brewer
Member
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Joined: 12 Oct 2004
Posts: 3872
Location: Santa Poco
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Posted: 10/23/03 - 19:06 Post subject:
DougG,
I agree with what everyone said above. I am a very motivated runner and drive my family nuts with talking about it. If it wasn't for the forums I would have no outlet. It is hard to get up at 5 am for any reason let alone to go out a run. But doing it and having people to talk with about it can make a world of difference. I hope you stick around!
Oh btw, there are a few people from Michigan on this board. I used to be. 
Last edited by Running Brewer on 10/23/03 - 22:26; edited 1 time in total
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MSUrunner
Member
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Joined: 26 Aug 2003
Posts: 152
Location: The land of green and white
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Posted: 10/23/03 - 20:44 Post subject:
Just wanted to welcome a fellow Michgander!!
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MechEngDropout
Member
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Joined: 27 Jun 2003
Posts: 10474
Location: Off the grid
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Posted: 10/23/03 - 22:11 Post subject:
| Running Brewer wrote: |
Oh btw, there are a few people from Michigan on this [highlight=yellow:4534535f0e]bored[/highlight:4534535f0e]. |
Why don't you just say how you really feel!
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TimRuns
Member
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Joined: 11 May 2003
Posts: 10062
Location: Coquitlam, British Columbia
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Posted: 10/23/03 - 22:25 Post subject:
| MechEngDropout wrote: | | This place does help a little with the motivation. None of my friends really run in the sense that I do, so I kinda know how you feel. Maybe check out a local running store. Many people there will gladly talk about running, even if you don't buy anything. Or join a local running club. I will probably join a local one here soon. If nothing else, you get good discounts on race entries. |
 I agree with you. Most of my friends are non-runners too so the best way to get to know some fellow runners is to join a running club. There's usually clubs at local running stores. I'm currently in my school's tri/du club and I got to know alot of people this way through group runs/practices, social events, and meetings.
Anyways Welcome to the boards!
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runaroundsue
Member
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Joined: 18 Sep 2002
Posts: 6629
Location: supporting GREENer pastures
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Posted: 10/23/03 - 22:36 Post subject:
Doug---post the date of race in "track meets" here and on some other running boards. I think the idea of meeting some of my internet running partners is a great motivator.
I definitely know how you feel, years ago I ran with a club in San Antonio...there was always someone to run with...I'd run by myself during the day and meet the group once or twice a week. When I moved to Green Bay, I'd meet others on Monday nights 2-3 times a month and Saturdays there was always someone on the trails. Now, I run entirely by myself. I met a group a few times in Marathon training....but now the marathon is over. The ladies in my neighborhood run together but never include me  --as much as I try to invite myself. They say that I'd make them go too fast  . I've been lonely lately with running alone and post marathon blue combination.
sue
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robp
Pyromaniac
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Joined: 26 Jul 2002
Posts: 16242
Location: Waiting in line at the beer store...
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Posted: 10/24/03 - 07:30 Post subject:
Welcome Doug and if you need motivation this place will give it to you. It motivated me to three pr's this year at three different distances. It really is great to have someone appreciate your efforts.
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DougG
Newbie
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Joined: 23 Oct 2003
Posts: 2
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Posted: 10/24/03 - 08:50 Post subject: Thanks
Thanks everyone for your considerate replies. I'm glad I found this place, and I'm sure to be back. The only previous discussion group I found for runners was the Usenet rec.runners group and I was not anxious to return (if you know what I mean). This is obviously a much friendlier place!
-- Doug
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