There was more fizzle than bang in my run this week as I was struck with a case of the runner's blues. I hit the snooze button repeatedly, missed my runs, and made up excuses during speed sessions to avoid finishing all the repetitions.
Training for a marathon requires time, effort and a high pain tolerance - not to mention focus and determination - so it's not surprising the inspiration to run is lacking.
Fatigue and depression are ultimately a way for our body to protect itself from overtraining, says Jiang Xiaobo, sport psychology officer at the Hong Kong Sports Institute. Runners of any stage and ability are susceptible.
"Our brain is always monitoring stress throughout our mind-body network and when it increases to a level that our brain senses as too high, it shifts into 'protection mode' to trigger a series of conscious and subconscious actions that result in low motivation, burnout, pain and loss of focus," he says.
The first step in avoiding a dip in motivation is to get real with yourself, says Jiang. "Don't aim too high or be unrealistic," he says. While it's important to set goals, biting off more than you can chew may leave a negative impression, making it tougher to find the motivation to keep going.
Next, find the true source of your inspiration, says mental health and sports performance counsellor, Laura Walsh.