Showing Up for Running When the World Feels Heavy - no running motivation

There’s a strange feeling that’s been sitting with me lately, and I haven’t quite known how to name it.

It feels… familiar.

Like those early days of the pandemic, when everything felt uncertain and heavy, and yet the online world kept spinning. Posts kept coming. Training plans kept being shared. Races kept being talked about—until suddenly they weren’t.

And here I am again, showing up in the online running space, asking myself:

Is it weird to be here right now?

When Running Feels Small Compared to the World

Let me say this clearly: running isn’t a priority for a lot of people right now.

The world feels heavy. News cycles are exhausting. Emotions are raw. Nervous systems are fried. Running motivation is low.

And when that’s the backdrop, it can feel deeply strange to log on and talk about splits, workouts, or race goals.

I find myself wondering:

• What’s okay to share?

• How much is too much?

• Is this helpful… or tone deaf?

• Is it okay to talk about running when so many people are struggling just to get through the day?

• 
  

If you’ve felt this tension too, you’re not alone.

Low running Motivation, Honest Truths

I’ll be honest: my motivation is low right now.

Not just for training—but for showing up online in general.

I don’t feel inspired to post perfectly polished content. I don’t have a neat bow to tie around how I’m feeling. Some days, lacing up my shoes feels grounding. Other days, it feels optional at best.

And instead of forcing myself to push through the same old routines, I’m trying something different.

Trying New Things (Hello, Orange Theory 👋)

Yesterday, I walked into my first Orange Theory class in 10 years.

Ten. Years.

Was it humbling? Yes. Was it uncomfortable? Also yes. Did it shake things up in a way my nervous system actually needed? Surprisingly… yes.

Right now, I’m less interested in perfection and more interested in movement that feels novel, playful, or at least slightly energizing.

Because sometimes, when motivation is low, the answer isn’t discipline—it’s curiosity.

Choosing Fun Over Pressure

I’m also leaning into fun races instead of performance goals.

No chasing PRs. No rigid expectations. Just movement, community, and joy where I can find it.

This weekend, I’ll be at the Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend, and I’m organizing a casual meetup.

No pace pressure. No proving anything. Just runners being humans together.

And honestly? That feels like enough right now.

Feeling Lost… But Still Here

I won’t pretend I have clarity.

I feel a little lost in how to show up online. I’m not sure what my voice is supposed to sound like in this season. I don’t know what people need—or what I can offer that truly helps.

But here’s what I do know:

I’m still here.

I’m still coaching. I’m still cheerleading for my people. I’m still writing training plans and sending encouragement and adjusting expectations. I’m still training as best I can—with flexibility, compassion, and a lot of grace.

If You’re Feeling the Same Way

If running feels hard right now… that makes sense. If motivation is low… you’re not broken. If you’re questioning how to care about something that once meant everything to you… you’re human.

Running doesn’t have to be your top priority to still matter. It can be a coping tool. A release. A break. Or something you come back to later.

There’s no right way to show up—for running, or for life—during heavy seasons.

All I know is that I’m choosing honesty over polish. Connection over content. And grace over guilt.

If you’re here too—still moving, still trying, still figuring it out—I’m glad we’re doing it together.

And if all you can do today is read this and nod along?

That counts, too.

Sending love and cheering for you always.