Main Menu

When the mind says no.

This morning I really didn’t want to get up. Mentally, I felt low and even thought about skipping the run altogether. I didn’t need an excuse; I simply didn’t feel like it. I did a little bit of work, then eventually put on my gear and set out, though very slowly.

After about 20 minutes, I knew something wasn’t right. I tried to push through the intervals, but mentally I just wasn’t able to focus or stay motivated. It felt as if my mind and body weren’t in sync; my stride seemed uneven, almost like one leg was shorter than the other. Everything felt unbalanced and disconnected.

On top of that, I was extremely thirsty. I drank two-thirds of my water within the first 20 minutes, even though the weather was cold. Strangely, I had hydrated well in the morning with water and electrolytes, so this thirst was unusual.

It was simply one of those days where staying in bed, taking a hot bath, or reading a good book might have been the better choice. Yesterday had been great; meal prep was done, my body was feeling strong, and even my back and toes were pain-free. So physically there wasn’t really a reason why the run didn’t work. It must have been more about my mental state: too much work, too much stress, and the sun hiding away didn’t help either.

This run reminded me of my first attempts to run more than 21.1 km, when the challenge sometimes seemed too great. And I asked myself, how can I run even when my mind is resisting? Perhaps these moments are precisely the opportunity to train not only the body but also the mind.

After the highs of last week, maybe a low was inevitable. Running isn’t just physical; it’s also deeply mental. And today, my mind simply wasn’t with me.