No Ifs, No Ruts

Falling into a slump can happen to any runner. Here’s how I get out of mine.

- CORY WHARTON-MALCOLM

IT DOESN'T MATTER IF IT'S mental or physical, working through a rough patch can sometimes feel like you’re beating your head against a wall. Most runners I’ve spoken to have experienced some kind of a rut, regardless of where they were on their running journey. So if it happens to you, you’re in good company. And once you’re out of the rut, you’ll be in even better company. Also, a slump can offer an opportunity for a reset or a chance to rethink your running priorities. Here are my top five ways to break out of a rut. Remember, it will always end, as long as you don’t give up on yourself.

01 Don’t think, just do 

Sometimes, when I overthink a running plan, I can talk myself out of getting out the door. For whatever reason, I feel that I’m not going to accomplish whatever I set out to do. It could be as simple as this: I’m supposed to do a tempo, speed or track session, but I haven’t had enough sleep, haven’t recovered properly, it’s too cold, too hot, or I’m just not in the right frame of mind. So, instead of beating myself up about the session I’m