Running Burnout Is Real: How I Lost My Spark—and Got It Back

There was a time not that long ago when I laid in bed, knowing I had a run on my schedule, that I had laid the clothes out, planned the route, agreed to meet friends and felt dread. I did not want to get out of bed. I just wanted to stay where I was. 

It wasn’t the usual complaint of it being dark out of wanting to stay in the cozy cocoon of sleep. There was also this quiet dread of, “Ugh… I have to go run.” 

And it didn’t go away. It wasn’t a one time thing, or a recovery week thing. It was this feeling that wouldn’t go away for weeks. 

And if you’ve ever felt that way—about something you used to love—you know how confusing it is. Running isn’t just a hobby for me, it is part of who I am.

So how did I go from loving it… to feeling completely burned out?

And more importantly—how did I find my way back?

What Running Burnout Actually Felt Like

At first, I didn’t call it burnout.

I told myself:

• “I’m just tired.”

• “I need more discipline.”

• “This is just part of training.”

• “I’m just recovering from the marathon” 

But it wasn’t just physical fatigue.

It was:

• Dreading runs I used to look forward to

• Feeling mentally drained before I even started

• Going through the motions without any real joy

• Snapping more easily, feeling overwhelmed, stretched thin

• Questioning why I was even doing this in the first place

Even races and runs with friends—the things that usually lit me up—started to feel heavy.

That’s when I realized… something deeper was going on.

How I Got There (Without Realizing It)

The truth is, burnout didn’t happen overnight but rather slowly. I was:

• Always chasing the next goal

• Running multiple marathons a year 

• Balancing teaching, coaching, motherhood, and everything else

• Trying to do all of it well

And running—this thing that used to give me energy—became just another thing I had to manage.

I wasn’t just physically tired. I was mentally and emotionally maxed out. Because of my type-a, I didn’t do a big period of rest. I took recovery post marathon while on vacation on Italy and then jumped back in. I went from bronchitis to the Chicago Marathon to my first ultramarathon in 5 months. I just kept pushing for those goals and achievements. 

The Turning Point

There wasn’t one dramatic moment. It was more like a quiet realization:

This doesn’t feel good anymore.

I started to notice that running—something that used to support my life—was now draining me. Along with basically everything. The burnout I felt from running was actually just plain burnout. 

I let myself question my running and my day to day life in general:

What if the problem isn’t the running…(because that’s always an easier question for me to tackle)What if it’s how I’m doing this?

That question changed everything.

What I Stopped Doing

Before I added anything new, I had to strip things back.

Here’s what I let go of:

• Making sure I did every run as prescribed (or heck, even following structured training) 

• Tracking all of my movement. I started just moving to move. 

• Letting dishes be, laundry be, saying yes 

• Worrying about if I was fueling with the “right” things 

I stopped treating running like something I had to prove myself through.

What Actually Helped Me Recover from Running Burnout

This wasn’t an overnight fix.

But these shifts made the biggest difference:

1. I Simplified My Training

I gave myself permission to just run when I felt like it. Not doing structured speed or hitting a mileage. I could take time off when it felt right. As I eased back into training, it was easy miles, adding faster paces when my body felt like it. This was actually the easiest step for me because it was something I could make a list for. 

2. I Started Focusing on Energy

Not energy like I feel tired, but my body’s energy. I started working with a strength and nutrition coach to make sure I was eating enough to fuel my movement. Not because I wanted to look a certain way, but because a part of my burnout is definitely caused by Low Energy Availability and I needed help to fix it. The labs from Function Health really helped me confirm this - it helped me realized I actually needed to do something about it instead of just "working on it."

3. I Worked on My Mental Health

As part of dealing with the non-running part, because rarely is it as simple as that, I started weekly therapy. So often we want to believe that feelings of burnout are just related to running. But that’s not usually the case. What usually happens is it’s everything, all at once. It’s easier to fix a mind-body problem like burnout if we can work on healing it from all sides. The training, the fueling, the therapy, the strength, it’s all working together.

4. I Prioritized Strength

In the last 2 years of increasing mileage, I have let go of prioritizing lifting. It was time to get back to it. So I am committed to 3 lifts a week. Sometimes, I push myself and lift heavy. Other days, the goal is just to get it done. The entire idea is that I’m doing it. 

What Running Looks Like for Me Now

In the 5 months since I started to feel burnt out and the 3 months of truly working on fixing it, I am feeling so much better. I PR’d my 5k, I am feeling good about running longer distances, and I’m not scared to train for Chicago this summer.

If You’re Feeling Burned Out Right Now

I want you to hear this:

You’re not lazy.You don’t need more discipline.And you haven’t “lost it.”

Burnout isn’t a failure, It’s feedback.

It’s your body and mind asking for something different. You don’t have to quit running.

But you might need to change something.

Start small:

• Take a break—or just reduce the pressure

• Look at your life outside of running (stress matters)

• Add something back in that feels fun, not productive

You’re allowed to take a break and find a way to enjoy this again.

Key Takeaways

• Running burnout is more common than you think

• It’s often mental and emotional—not just physical

• Pushing harder isn’t always the answer

• Rest and joy are productive

• You can come back stronger—and happier

FAQ: Running Burnout

How do I know if I’m experiencing running burnout?

If you feel persistent dread, lack of motivation, mental exhaustion, or a loss of enjoyment in running, it’s likely burnout—not just normal fatigue.

Should I take time off from running?

Sometimes, yes.

Even a short break—or a reduction in intensity—can help reset both your body and your mind. Time off isn’t losing fitness; it’s creating space to come back stronger.

How long does it take to recover from running burnout?

It depends.

For some, a few weeks of reduced pressure helps. For others, it may take longer. The key is addressing the cause—not just pushing through it.

Can running burnout affect race performance?

Absolutely.

Burnout can lead to decreased performance, lack of focus, and even increased injury risk. Your mental state plays a huge role in how you show up on race day.

How can I start enjoying running again?

Focus on:

• Removing pressure

• Adding variety or fun elements

• Listening to your body

• Letting go of constant performance tracking

Eventually, enjoyment comes back when you stop forcing it.

Ready to Run Strong Without Burning Out?

This is exactly why I coach the way I do. I don’t do one-size-fits-all plans or tell my athletes to “just push through it”. It’s smart, data driven, sustainable training that actually fits your life. Learn more about my one on one coaching here.