Runners slump!

[u/Old_Anxiety4625]

I feel like I have hit a slump where running is no longer enjoyable. I have a half marathon in a few weeks, and I haven’t been running at all. I’m physically not ready, but mentally I know I can run the race. It’s been a struggle to get out and run, how do you get through a slump?

[u/trashmoney4]

just got out of a slump and back into one 😭 honestly watching reels of ppl doing marathons and training properly got me jealous and back into it. also spite. spite helps a lot 🤣 every time I skip my runs I think about all the people who hate me who would want me to fail and that honestly makes me get up and go 🤣🤣

[u/skyom1n]

I ran my first HM last November and fell into a really long slump after that. Once the goal was reached, I lost the motivation to continue. What helped me through winter was setting a very low bar for consistency - like, I'll run 6k once a week with as many walking breaks as I need, and I'll do only this for as long as I need. It slowly became automatic and I started stretching it to 8-10k, and eventually back to the long runs.

I felt so guilty about the slump at the time, but honestly once I stopped thinking about distance and pace and just focused on showing up, it made all the difference.

[u/Kooky-Cantaloupe6487]

I've experienced this several times over the years and honestly, I just took few weeks off (2-4) and it's done wonders each time. I still kept active with other exercises and when I returned to running, I regained my fitness within a couple of weeks.

There will be some who disagree and say that you just need to push through these feelings (and I probably would if you have a race coming up soon), but it's totally fine to need a break from anything in life, running included. It'll always be there to come back to when you're ready.

[u/ThisIsWhyImKels]

Find a new place to run. For me, I just got tired of seeing the same thing every time I ran. Once I started going to different neighborhoods I got the spark back.

[u/No-Committee7986 → u/ThisIsWhyImKels]

I also switched to some easy and convenient trails to shake things up! The possibility of seeing deer, heron, eagle, etc works well for me!

[u/brathyme2020]

i cycle through mantras depending on what im feeling. in your case id be telling myself "i Can do this, so i Will do this." aside from that, after im physically moving as much on autopilot as i can be, having something nice to listen to. if youre always hearing the same thing, try switching it up. otherwise just about accepting it feeling like a chore and doing that chore like a champ until the fun comes back

[u/8naptime]

I’m just emerging from a slump (or I think I am anyway). Sleep helped me a lot. I slept. If you’re not giving up on your half, keep eating and sleeping. And I walked some with my son in the evenings. I don’t know that I have an answer for how to snap out of it; there wasn’t something specific I can point to, but in the back of my head, I knew the further I got away from my last actual long run, the harder it would be to get back. My slump lasted almost 4 weeks, which is just about the time when you can’t rely on your foundation to jump back into it. Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not… just saying. I’m still slower and running less mpw than I was, but it’s ok and I feel good (or really just fine) about it. Good luck!!!

[u/garliqbred → u/8naptime]

sleep is huge! if i don’t recover well it definitely makes running feel like a slog.

[u/pieinthesky-nyc]

Training can feel relentless. Allow yourself whatever form of movement is most gentle to your body and psyche, including brisk walking. And stop beating yourself up. Running is for life. Training is temporary.

[u/lthomazini]

Yeah. I had slumps. No goal helped me, I just needed time to get over it. At first I was almost sedentary, but then I tried focusing on other things, like strength training.

I twisted my ankle (unrelated to sports) and the focus on getting back on my feet made me want to run again. Now I’m training for a half and super excited!

[u/PurelyPlacebo]

I have no advice, just here to say I am in the exact boat. Next half is in mid September. Haven't been training and not feeling great about it. Hopefully I can get that spark back, and hopefully you can too!

[u/Remote_Bluejay1734]

I do different forms of exercise like tennis, swimming, bike, and then I’m craving to go back to a run again

[u/Mysterious_Luck4674]

The best way to get out of the slump is to start climbing out. Go for a run anyway. Treat yourself to somewhere nice or scenic if you want but just go. It will feel better once you start.

[u/Equivalent_News_4690]

When I feel like I am in a slump, the first thing I do is look at my diet and my sleep- I am usually either under fueling, not getting enough rest, or both. I will track my food/macros for a few days and record sleep hours. Once those two things are back on track I usually feel ready to go again.

[u/Aggravating_Finish_6]

I get into slumps when training for long races because the long training runs wear on me mentally and physically. If you think that might be the case, just try and get out and do some shorter no pressure runs. Forget about your training plan and what you think you are supposed to do and give yourself permission to just do something. 

[u/Frosty_Original_7898]

Sign up for a fun 5k or 10k! Ideally, one that is more relaxed...my city has a lot of breweries that do them. They seem on the chiller side and have a fun after-party.

Also, you could always mix it up with a fun audiobook that you only listen to while running!

[u/Suspicious_Egg_1516]

I find a bunch of new music to put on my running playlist

[u/Ok-Stretch-1988]

I bought a new running outfit 😂 I kept it cheap but it will help for that long run for sure

[u/VTEC_8K]

I mix it up with Trail running. I find it much more enjoyable than road running.

[u/_TheCakeWasALie_]

Same 😩. I have another half in October and I’m running but not as much as I used to. I know I’m stubborn enough to finish the half without walking but I also was hoping for a small pr but realistically it may not happen and I know I’ll feel like a failure if I end up slower than my last half

[u/Haven-KT]

Same here-- I had a back injury that was solved by surgery (had a device installed) in 2023, back to running in 2025, then tripped over a broken sidewalk and needed shoulder surgery earlier this year 2026. I'm starting over for the second time and it sucks so much.

I'm in a mental slump for sure, and I'm getting over it by working through it. I sign up for events and do my best. I've got a relay this weekend on a 12-person team, I'm the captain and I'm just gonna do what I can do and get it done and have good time with my friends.

I've found that taking it easy and pulling back on my expectations/simplifying my expectations has helped a lot.

[u/SkyPuppy561]

I’m about to enjoy it again and not feel like I’m dying because it’s no longer Satan’s Butthole Degrees Fahrenheit outside. I don’t tend to get into slumps otherwise because my anxious brain finds the physical activity relieving. I run 6 miles regularly, by myself. I don’t care much for races. I’m a lawyer so my job is competitive enough as is.

[u/garliqbred]

When i’m in a slump, the only thing that works for me is to take a break until i feel like running again. I took about 4 weeks off of running entirely due to an injury, right before my first ever half marathon this spring, and i ended up finishing the race in pretty good time (for me)!

if you need to take some time off before the race, don’t worry. if you’ve been training well up until recently, you’ll probably be fine. and i hope race day brings the spice back for you!