Runnin' out of steam?

Lately I've been losing my focus.  I had a great 21 mile run last weekend, despite the snow and wind, but my weekly grind has left me somewhat unmotivated and physically and mentally "not with it".  I was going to write about this but I figured I'd just share my desperate email and response from local running store owner and friend Aaron Saft, who's an abosolute beast. 

From: Andy Brouwer [mailto:andy.brouwer@yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2012 2:42 PM
To: Aaron Saft
Subject: Running out of steam.....

Aaron,

I need some coaching, I think.  I'm ~3wks from my taper and the last 2-3wks have been somewhat of a hell for me.  I'm still running well, but my motivation is slipping and some runs are suffering. 

Tuesdays speedwork seem to be the hardest.  They've been pretty long and I've had to do them inside recently, which I hate. I think a lot of it started right after Hot Chocolate. I was still REALLY sore on the Tuesday following that race so I adjusted my workout a little.  I'd get the miles in, but doing them "as prescribed" was not something I felt physically or mentally capable of.  Since then I've kind of of felt like that about a lot of my workouts.  I'm constantly wanting to adjust the workout to something easier due to time or because I'm to tired or sore.  This makes me depressed and discouraged. The bright spot has been my long runs.  I ran 12 miles at goal pace last weekend like a champ, finishing just under my goal time and last week I ran 21 with the first 13 being at 8:33 and the last 8 were at goal pace and I ran 3 seconds faster....at the end I felt good too. 

My obvious fear is that I'm losing my edge and my fitness is suffering.  My last two weeks I've missed my weekly goals by 4-5 miles, which maybe isn't too big a deal when you're chasing 50+, but that's still 10% off.  My diet has been good, not great, I'm still doing core work 2-3 times a week and adding two lifting days/week usually as well.  I'm sleeping well.  I was soooo regimented for the first 12 weeks, it is just hard to keep up with when life gets in the way. 

Any thoughts?  I did just buy some new shoes to help me feel better :)

Look forward to hearing from you.

- Andy

Hey man,

Totally normal! I want you to think of a time when you were hurt & could not run. What did you want to do? RUN! You are a million times fitter than that point in your life. APPRECIATE THAT FACT! Shut off your brain on workout days. Do them without question or thought. Enjoy the fact you can do it! There are millions who can’t or want to be able to do what you are able to do on a daily basis. Appreciate the fact you have a fully functional body & mind. We complain when we have to do a hard workout, then we do it, we make it through it, & it makes us better. So why complain about it? Put this training plan to bed & ROCK THIS MARATHON!

Give yourself tough love. Call yourself a pansy. Whatever it takes to get yourself through it.

Motivation…look in the mirror Andy and tell me your not in the best shape of your life. Ask yourself what you want? Do you want to finish 26.2 or do you want to destroy 26.2?

Your brain is your enemy right now, put it in its place!

Aaron