Relentless

Sorry about the training struggles. Running is fun, training can suck. I understand your perspectives (especially on the AGE thing) and finding the proper balance in life (family, work, church, running/training) is really tough. Sometimes I think we can put too much pressure on ourselves for performance...maybe some fun running time is in order. I am finding that as I get older, a good training year then a fun/less hard(lower expectations for racing/times) year may be my ticket to longevity for both racing and running.

Holt don't call it yet, I feel that you do have a lot left in the tank buddy. Running has ups and downs and we just need to fight thru it and adjust. I have one thought that might help. You have been so consistent in mileage over the years it might not hurt for the next couple months to lower the mileage and up the workouts. This might allow your mind to get mentally stronger. Then up the mileage again before STG. Just a thought, but don't give in.

Hang in there Dave.

I think my running background is similar to yours except I'm quite a few years older. I'm 50 now and have been running consistently and competitively since 1978. Ran hard all through high school and college and never quit.

However, I haven't kept at it with the same intensity. Not even close. There were probably years in my 30s when I didn't hit a thousand miles. Always ran just enough to call myself a runner though!

Then in my late 30s I started to feel a flicker of the old intensity coming back. and by 40 I was training pretty hard again. I raced a lot, and with a lot of energy and enthusiasm throughout my 40s and had a blast.

A couple years ago I lost it and backed way down. Started running purely for my mental and physical health without any real goals. Now, once again, I'm feeling the urge to do some hard racing at 50 to see what I can do.

My point is, there's an ebb and flow to anyones running if your going to keep at it for a lifetime. Don't be afraid to take a down year or even a down decade as far as serious training and racing goes. If you keep yourself healthy and generally fit, the spark will come back.

I hope this helps.

Great comments here.

I'll add just a couple thoughts. First, any time running feels like a chore, you're overdoing it. I don't think it's healthy mentally when running becomes a chore. When I feel like it's becoming a chore, I usually take to the mountains and forget about workouts and times etc.

Two, if you do want to continue to train to be fast and the best you can be, that's a grind. I can best put up with that grind when I'm racing somewhat often. If I don't race often, I tend to wonder why I'm doing all these long runs and workouts. Races keep me motivated.

Good luck with your decision. Do what's best for you and both your mental and physical health. That said, I hope to see you at the STG start line ��

What can I say? You are a ferrari with high mileage, maybe you need an overhaul, so to speak. I still enjoy running but don't run very often. I have found salvation with a bike(cycling). I can get the intensity without the punishment, unfortunately it does nothing for my running, other than my endurance. Change things up a little bit. Sign up for the St George Half Ironman. Running is in your blood for sure and it always will be. You will be fine, just hang in there and age gracefully.

Seems like we've all been there at one time or another. For me, I'm trying to make the age shift by focusing on helping my boys pursue their goals and finding joy together through this process. I'ts tough making that shift.. I'm also exploring alternatives such as weightlifting etc. (You know how skinny I am:)

One other thing Dave, I'ts summer and it's especially summer down there in St George I'm sure. The dog days of this season really have a way of draining it out of a person, more so than in the dead of winter I feel. Anyway.. Like what was mentioned above, back off, rest and re-group. Then go back and reassess where your goals are. Hope that helps you man. Stay tough and hang in there Dave.