I have hit a runner's rut

It is getting harder and harder to run every day now. I do not have that runner's high anymore. My alarm clock is still set for 5:50am. But, these days, I get up, walk over and then press the snooze button. As I hit the snooze button, my mind is thinking that I will run tomorrow. The thought of running on the weekend is also now becoming a bit of a chore.

On the internet, there are several topics that discuss these symptoms. My symptoms indicate a condition that some call a runner's rut. It turns out that every runner goes through this phase in their running. This is very common.

I have run a lot this year. At the time of writing this blog, I have already run 1039 miles or spent 270:33:34 hours running this year. I have also lost 196357 kilo-calories. This is a lot of running for a guy who just started running seriously late last year.

There are many reasons why a runner will eventually hit a runner's rut:

1. Burnout of the mind and the body with everyday or very frequent running

2. Not resting enough between runs

3. Not resting enough between work, life and runs. 

4. Running the same or similar routes frequently 

5. Not giving enough time for the body to recover from a strenuous run

My rut is due to a little bit of all of the above.

Now, if you google the words "runner's rut", you will come across several articles that describe this and provide recommendations. Essentially, the recommendations are consistently along the lines of:
- Rest
- Recover
- Refuel

This rut hit me at a good time. It hit me at a time, when I need to taper for my Honolulu Marathon. The next two weeks, I will be vacationing, relaxing, refueling and recovering from all the running this year. I am hoping that by the time I get to the starting line of Honolulu Marathon, I am well rested and ready for a good race.