Had a horrible run - please cheer me up!

pamelagail

You can do it just keep your head up maybe tomorrow you will run 10 miles. Don't be so hard on yourself.

ArchyJill

I will second everything everyone else has said (i.e. YOU ROCK!!!), but I'd like to offer a little advice too. It takes me a good five miles to settle into a run, which means I am uncomfortable (at best) for a lot of my runs. So here are a few tricks I've come to rely on:

1. Make it an out-and-back. Park your car (or start from your house), go out half your distance and come back. For me this is a clever head game as I tell myself "you only have to go 4 miles" when in reality it's 4 miles before I head back. The trick is, I can handle 4 and after that point I have no choice but to run the last 4 if I want to get home!

2. Just can't run as long between intervals? Make the intervals shorter. For instance, today was supposed to be a "tempo" run (which I suck at), and I just didn't have the juice to make it happen so I cut it into one mile segments and my tempo became an interval. The bonus here? Interval training burns more fat and increases cardiovascular fitness better than just about anything out there.

3. Tune out! I have always run with music but eventually I got bored with my mixes or frustrated myself with skipping ahead to songs that I needed to hear. I have solved this nicely by using Podrunner: a free download (new mixes about twice a month) of mixed music that was MADE for runners...it's awesome, you can even pick your mix by beats-per-minute to suit your running style.

4. Accept that it's all in your head. Running is a mind game. I have seen incredibly fit people poop out at mile 11 of a marathon and incredibly UNfit people outlast a wildland firefighter from our hotshot crew. It's a matter of believing in yourself and not getting wrapped up in the here and now. I've done all sorts of things (in my head) while I ran: redecorated my house, written books, organized the garage, etc. Sometimes its better to think about ANYTHING but the run.

You are doing awesome! I look for your posts every day and when I find them they make me smile and inspire me not to give up. :flowerforyou:

emmaleigh47

I will second everything everyone else has said (i.e. YOU ROCK!!!), but I'd like to offer a little advice too. It takes me a good five miles to settle into a run, which means I am uncomfortable (at best) for a lot of my runs. So here are a few tricks I've come to rely on:

1. Make it an out-and-back. Park your car (or start from your house), go out half your distance and come back. For me this is a clever head game as I tell myself "you only have to go 4 miles" when in reality it's 4 miles before I head back. The trick is, I can handle 4 and after that point I have no choice but to run the last 4 if I want to get home!

2. Just can't run as long between intervals? Make the intervals shorter. For instance, today was supposed to be a "tempo" run (which I suck at), and I just didn't have the juice to make it happen so I cut it into one mile segments and my tempo became an interval. The bonus here? Interval training burns more fat and increases cardiovascular fitness better than just about anything out there.

3. Tune out! I have always run with music but eventually I got bored with my mixes or frustrated myself with skipping ahead to songs that I needed to hear. I have solved this nicely by using Podrunner: a free download (new mixes about twice a month) of mixed music that was MADE for runners...it's awesome, you can even pick your mix by beats-per-minute to suit your running style.

4. Accept that it's all in your head. Running is a mind game. I have seen incredibly fit people poop out at mile 11 of a marathon and incredibly UNfit people outlast a wildland firefighter from our hotshot crew. It's a matter of believing in yourself and not getting wrapped up in the here and now. I've done all sorts of things (in my head) while I ran: redecorated my house, written books, organized the garage, etc. Sometimes its better to think about ANYTHING but the run.

You are doing awesome! I look for your posts every day and when I find them they make me smile and inspire me not to give up. :flowerforyou:

Jill,
Thank you so much for the love and encouragement. As I was reading your post I was nodding along, because you have alot of good advice. Here are my replies..
1. All of my long runs are out and backs... once you get out you have no choice to come back. My shorter runs in the winter are track runs... around and around and around... LOL!
2. Tell me more about these tempo runs? After my race I am going to work on my speed a bit more and drop my run durations in order to hopefully go a bit faster!
3. Love the idea of the Podrunner... I havent looked into that but might have to now. For the last month or so, I paacked my Ipod with songs from Pitbull and LMFAO because they are both from Miami and talk about Miami (and that is where the race is) so when I want to quit I just hear that and smile!
4. Love the idea its all in my head... and it is you know. That last run didnt feel good from the beginning... and I couldnt get into my zone where i didnt think about it. But you know I realize this morning... I stopped because I wanted to .. not because I HAD to ... and that alone is a victory!

Well, Thanks to the weather my next long run will be Friday afternoon (tomorrow) instead of Saturday. Saturday it was supposed to be below zero wnd chill, so I changed it... and I am confident I am going to rock it!!

sunnyk8

Those days TOTALLY happen. I am also training for a half marathon and I have had at least 2 long runs where I just wasn't settling in. You know how there is that wall that you hit at 2-4 miles and once you get past it you feel like you can run forever? Well for those 2 runs I was at the wall the WHOLE time. It was miserable, but I got it done, just like you did! Those days happen with runners... everyone experiences them. The most important thing is to not let it get you down and to keep it up!

And yes, you WILL rock it tomorrow afternoon!

skywalker

1. Make it an out-and-back. Park your car (or start from your house), go out half your distance and come back. For me this is a clever head game as I tell myself "you only have to go 4 miles" when in reality it's 4 miles before I head back. The trick is, I can handle 4 and after that point I have no choice but to run the last 4 if I want to get home!

I do exactly the same thing! It's amazing what you can "fool" yourself into doing. :laugh:

nitaneat

wow-i NEVER ran that much in 1 period of time.! wow u inspire me to get on the treadmill right now. maybe next time u feel this way u should get on ur treadmill to complete ur goal. isn't ok to take a break?! hey ive only lost 2 pounds so i have a long way 2 go...but just know u r an inspiration even if u didn't meet ur goal for the day:flowerforyou:

NoSleepTillBrooklyn

You can change your shoes at this point. If you think you'll get more than 25 miles in them, I'd say no harm in trying. Keep your other shoes as back up, since they are broken in. How many miles do you have on your shoes? Since you had no problems before, maybe you've hit the expiration on those shoes. A lot of people will tell you that you can get 400-500 miles out of a pair. But I'll tell you, that is diminished for bigger runners. Like 300 is pushing it. Maybe try the Asics line. I see more of them than anything else at races.

If you've stated getting blisters that you didn't before (btw, Bolega's are my fave!) maybe try double socking. My sis has trouble with blisters, and someone told her to try it. It worked like a charm.

Worst case scenario, you are walking a little more than you'd like for the half. But either way, you'll complete it. Running or walking. The accomplishment is no less. You heard that right? NO LESS!!!!!

skinnyack

bump

Manda1987

Just so you know, you're the reason why I'm starting C25K... I've never been able to run well, being overweight and asthmatic my whole life. It was when I saw someone my weight who was running that I became determined to do it too!

Remember, even your bad day is someone else's good day!

Scorpiomom222

Hon. You have to mind trick the *kitten* out of yourself to complete that type of stuff. If I can find the article, I'll give it to you, but it teaches you how to trick your mind into thinking that you have not much to go when in fact, you are only half way. The thing about it is not to be technical. I get through my runs by when I will speed up a bit more. If it's a half mile until I will speed up, I will CONVINCE myself that I only have half a mile to go. It's all in your mind. DO NOT attach todays events with the rest of your running, because that 3.5 mile mark will be the point you falter. Stay confident and just rest. Practice tricking your mind a bit especially at the points that you had trouble, like when you stopped at 3.5 miles. BUT, if you are physically feeling pain....STOP!!!! I hope that helped some. xxxxxxxx

emmaleigh47

Awww thanks... and you are right, 3.5 miles is not going to be my end point. I KNOW I have went further before and done just fine.
Have to trick the mind into doing this... and then once you do this you can say I did this once so I know I can do it again.

3.5 hours until the big 12 miler... I did not sleep well last night. Had all sorts of nightmares about being unable to finish, being hit by a car... LOL! Yes ... its a bit drama'd but I am trying to get into a better mindset today. Its a great day for a run! It just happens to be 6 2 milers... or 3 4 milers... or 4 3 milers...LOL!

skywalker

You'll do fine. Just relax. Good luck!!! :drinker:

Scorpiomom222

Runners of ALL types get runner's anxiety. Especially when they are training for an event. I had a few bad dreams when my 5K was coming up. I had a dream that I was late and couldn't race, which turned out to be true, but it was of no fault of my own. It was my husband's fault. (long story) Anyway, those dreams are normal, and have no say as to wether or not you will succed. Only you control it. I can't wait until tomorrow morning when I can run to start off the New Year! I haven't ran for a week, when I miscarried.

kelsully

You can change your shoes at this point. If you think you'll get more than 25 miles in them, I'd say no harm in trying. Keep your other shoes as back up, since they are broken in. How many miles do you have on your shoes? Since you had no problems before, maybe you've hit the expiration on those shoes. A lot of people will tell you that you can get 400-500 miles out of a pair. But I'll tell you, that is diminished for bigger runners. Like 300 is pushing it. Maybe try the Asics line. I see more of them than anything else at races.

If you've stated getting blisters that you didn't before (btw, Bolega's are my fave!) maybe try double socking. My sis has trouble with blisters, and someone told her to try it. It worked like a charm.

Worst case scenario, you are walking a little more than you'd like for the half. But either way, you'll complete it. Running or walking. The accomplishment is no less. You heard that right? NO LESS!!!!!

Good point with the "expiration" on the shoes. I am little..ony 5 ft tall but find that I have all kinds of problems around the 300-350 miles mark in my shoes..I log my miles and when I get my shoes...it could be time. I ran in New Balance for years...but was fitted for some Saucony's in MArch. I love them but when the style I had were "upgraded" I got fitted again...the New Balance would have been a great choice but the Saucony were familiar...you can't go wrong with a fitting...and I would say put the insoles back in if the blisters are still a problem...

emmaleigh47

Good point with the "expiration" on the shoes. I am little..ony 5 ft tall but find that I have all kinds of problems around the 300-350 miles mark in my shoes..I log my miles and when I get my shoes...it could be time. I ran in New Balance for years...but was fitted for some Saucony's in MArch. I love them but when the style I had were "upgraded" I got fitted again...the New Balance would have been a great choice but the Saucony were familiar...you can't go wrong with a fitting...and I would say put the insoles back in if the blisters are still a problem...

The insoles are back in the shoes and have been for some time! But I did have a thought -- I changed the shoes but I didnt change the insoles. Now they are supposed to be good for 2 pairs of shoes, but perhaps getting another pair of insoles might help.. who knows!!

emmaleigh47

I had to come and tell of you --- THANK YOU!
I had my 12 mile run planned for today ... and I was feeling so dang good that we made it a true half marathon and ran 13.1 miles.
I did it... I survived... I finished... and I did it upright.
Those were my only goals for the race... and I already accomplished them all ...so I know I will be fine come race day.
Wow...I think I am going to ride this high for a LOOONG time.
Because I run slow it took me 3:25 (but my dream finish time was 3:30) so I am happy with it!

Thanks again!!

Scorpiomom222

DUDE!!!! I will venture to say that you didn't even WALK a mile before you started this journey. Not with a willingness, anyway. lol Be PROUD of the fact that you even went 13 miles and just finished! Good for you!

cavycity

I had a crappy run today too. I just couldn't find my stride. Reading your post reminded me that I'm not alone! The farthest I've run is 5 miles, you've really inspired me to push my tush! Great work so far, bad days happen, and you rock!! I always call my mom when I have a bad run, and she reminds me that most people don't work out at all! Now when I run, I try to look at the people driving by and say (to myself of course) "well, at least I'm working harder than them!" It sounds mean when I type it out, but it helps keep me going. I hope your next run is better!

emmaleigh47

DUDE!!!! I will venture to say that you didn't even WALK a mile before you started this journey. Not with a willingness, anyway. lol Be PROUD of the fact that you even went 13 miles and just finished! Good for you!

Thanks... and OH ... your wave is adorable on the other thread!

emmaleigh47

I had a crappy run today too. I just couldn't find my stride. Reading your post reminded me that I'm not alone! The farthest I've run is 5 miles, you've really inspired me to push my tush! Great work so far, bad days happen, and you rock!! I always call my mom when I have a bad run, and she reminds me that most people don't work out at all! Now when I run, I try to look at the people driving by and say (to myself of course) "well, at least I'm working harder than them!" It sounds mean when I type it out, but it helps keep me going. I hope your next run is better!

My "stride" is at the pace of a snail... but yep we all have crappy runs. And guess what ... we all come back.
One of my favorite phrases about running I invented...

The best thing about running is when you have a crappy run ... you cant wait to get back out there and have a better run. And when you have a great run, you cant wait to get back out there and recreate it. Either way, your hooked!

I agree with your phrase though .... I often think that when I am getting lapped at the YMCA... who cares how slow I am going, because at least I am out there dangit!

4x4n8

I know it sucks to have a bad run, but the main thing is you tried. Having a bad workout is better then no workout and it helps me really appreciate the good work outs! HUGS!! If this time really sucked, then hey next time has gotta be great!

NoSleepTillBrooklyn

Congrats on getting your groove back.