Feeling flat and needing an adrenaline rush

Are you in need of some excitement in your life?


This is going to sound bonkers I know, but hear me out. It’s only in the last couple of weeks that lockdown has hit me. Yep, I told you it was bonkers. Despite feeling optimistic about this year, I’ve felt quite flat recently. Why, I pondered?  We’ve been in this situation for almost a year so what has suddenly changed. 


Then I realised what it was. I’m missing an adrenaline rush of doing something different. Until now I’ve been pre-occupied with other things.  In March we’d just bought a house so had lots of things to plan. When we could eventually move we then had lots of DIY and garden projects. The mornings and evenings were light so I was out walking and running at every opportunity. I was busy getting to grips with moving my fitness sessions to Zoom and trying to see people in person in-between lockdowns. When it got to around October time, my thoughts then turned to Christmas. 


Throughout everything I’ve also been super busy at work, so it’s only now, almost a year later that I find lockdown has hit me. Our holiday was transferred from last year to this September but I can’t get excited about that yet. I’m not going to book any events or concerts until I can be certain they’re going to happen. There’s no races other than virtual ones taking place at the moment.  My running club can’t meet at the moment and my own boot camps are on hold. So at the end of the day, there’s nothing much to get excited about just yet. If it wasn’t for my zoom fitness sessions and seeing my peeps I’d think I’d go stark raving mad. I’m trying to get out for a walk or run every lunchtime and I'm obviously getting out for a run at the weekends, but I need something to give me a proper adrenaline kick up the backside. 


So, in a bid to get my heart racing, quite literally, and get the ball rolling, I decided to do a quick lunchtime interval session the other day. It did the trick, I felt great afterwards!  


**********


If you want a really quick session to give you a boost halfway through the day, then try this:


Warm-up with an easy jog or fast walk for 1 minute 


Set 1:

Increase your pace for 2 minutes - effort level 7/10

Easy jog or walk for 30 seconds - effort level 3/10

Repeat this 4 more times


Easy jog or fast walk for 2 minutes 


Set 2:

Increase your pace for 1 minute - effort level 8/10

Easy jog or walk for 30 seconds - effort level 3/10

Repeat this 4 more times increasing to effort level 9/10 on the last fast interval


Easy jog to cool-down


**********


I felt invigorated following my cheeky little session and I realised that this was what I’d been missing. Following the first lockdown I went back to my running club and I’d been doing the speed sessions and in the lead up to Christmas a virtual club race every two weeks, so I’d kept my motivation going. Then it had suddenly gone to nothing again and, as much as I love doing long runs on my own, I like to be with other runners when doing the harder sessions. 


I've already planned some running goals regardless of what happens this year but my thoughts the other day really brought it home as to how much I need to have a focus. Sheffield half marathon, which was cancelled last year, is supposed to be taking place end of March but I can’t see that happening. However, I’ve decided to train as if it was going ahead anyway to give me something to aim for. I’ll certainly be doing a few more of those interval sessions to give me that ‘runner’s high’. 



In addition, I've signed up for the Cancer Research UK Virtual Winter Run so if you fancy a challenge yourself and need a goal to work towards, you can sign up here:

Cancer Research UK Virtual Winter Run.  It's free to enter and there's lots of running tips and donation options.


What is it that you’re missing right now?  What can you do as an alternative?  Come on, it’s time to think outside the box ... again!!!  


Along with many other skills , 2020 certainly taught us how to be resourceful and creative.  Motivation and 'good' stress will help keep that feeling of flatness and apathy at bay.  Many of us have lots of 'not so good' stress in our lives at the moment through work, illness, family issues etc.  Let's even up the balance and put a bit more of the 'exciting' stress back into our lives for a much needed boost.



#2021

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