Disappointment . . .

rrcoffey

Yesterday, I ran my 3rd half marathon. I was not as prepared as I should have been . . . I lost 2 weeks of training to an injury, then it was slow to get back into it (I'd say another solid 2 weeks where my planned distance was cut short due to my hip beginning to hurt). So, I didn't have expectations of a PR or anything and promised myself that I wouldn't be disappointed in my time . . . but I am. Disappointed and even embarrassed by it. It didn't help that a few miles had a 10KT headwind and about 6 miles had a 15-20KT crosswind, but that's just an excuse. I was a solid 15 minutes slower than last year.

I'm halfway between it being motivating to do better next time and re-evaluating if I'm really cut out for this. I'm sure I'll continue on and truly make the most of my training for next time and beyond, but I'm having a pity-party-for-one this morning

Just kind of thinking out loud here . . . nobody in my circles gets it like you guys (probably) do. They just see that I ran "another' half marathon and think it's all awe-inspiring and can't understand that I didn't do well at all.

cw106

Being a tad harsh on yourself shows the will to improve imo.
Evaluation is important for future planning.
With disrupted training and the elements in play,
We cannot PB every race.
Take a little time,then i am sure you will line up the next half with renewed vigour.

kc_lea

Hey there! I can relate to the way that races can mess with your head a little bit, and I struggle to keep my head out of my way even during training. This is what I tell myself: Even professionals have good and bad runs, and good and bad races. "Picking yourself up" after a perceived failure is part of the work of being a runner.

gorple76

You need to consider what it is you get from running. Is it that it's something you find easy, requiring little effort or grit to get you through it, or have you had to push and challenge yourself through some pretty tough moments to get to where you are? If it's the latter, then see this as the challenge it is, a test of your personal will and determination, and realise that you'll come out the other side all the stronger for it. Then you'll know that you really are cut out for this sport - it has nothing to do with speed.

mbaker566

sadly some bad runs happen on race day.
i only got my base goal on my last race. i was disappointed because it was avoidable.

but it's just experience to apply to the next run and/or race

k_perlinger

I recently ran a half marathon 5 minutes worse than my previous worse time and 12 minutes worse than my PR. I also had struggled with training due to injury. 2 weeks out I had planned on skipping the race for that reason and then decided I could at least walk/run if necessary. Up until the day before I wasn't sold on running it as it was cold, rainy and windy. Despite all that, I ran it and I must say it was the best worst run I've ever had. Find the silver lining even in the worst of runs. As my 7 year old told me afterwards "at least you were out there Mom." We were moving, good or bad. On to the next!

fortunateflyer

I'm very familiar with that feeling of disappointment after a race. But if you love to run then you are cut out for running. I'm anything but a natural runner and that's not stopping me!

What I do when I get into a running funk is set a new goal. Not just a faster time, but something entirely new. Maybe push the distance father, maybe take the racing off-road; something so new that you can't compare it to anything else and just finishing it is success in itself. I'm particularly a fan of trail racing for putting things in perspective, because every trail is different and challenging in its own ways and you really can't compare apples to oranges unless it's two runs on the same course in the same conditions.

Not saying you need to run out and sign up for a trial marathon! Just something to keep in mind when you do decide to look for another event to sign up for. The world of running is immense and full of people with a true passion for the sport. The key (for me at least) is to keep finding the joy of it.

sebachie

I love all the responses to this post. @rrcoffey I could have written this same exact post on Sunday morning. I ran the Brooklyn HM on Saturday and I really wanted to PR but a lot of things got in the way of that happening including myself. The way I see it now is that I can only do better on my next race. Great Job!!