Bad running days... booo :(
SWEETMAY84
Posts: 66 Member
Does anyone else have "bad days"? I have days were I am all powerful and can keep going for hours lol (maybe not hours but you get the point) and other days, like the last 2, I barely make it 2 miles and have to stop a few times, and I feel stiff, like my legs are heavy... Hopefully is not only me!! =( advise?
Thanks everyone!! Happy Wednesday!
Thanks everyone!! Happy Wednesday!
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Replies
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You're not alone, for me it has a lot to do with attitude and less to do with physically how I feel.
Do you run the same route everytime? because I find my 'legs get bored' and my progress suffers, then I know it's time for a change.0 -
You know what? I do, I run the same route every day, I moved to the area not to long ago and well, I am scared of getting lost, besides I have to run at nite after I put my kids in bed, so usually is getting dark by that time ... I might have to come up with something to spice it up!0
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I have days that are a lot slower than others. It's usually because I haven't had enough water, I didn't sleep enough, or I didn't eat enough. Stuff like that. I just figure not every run can be stellar, and I hope the next one is better.0
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I had a crappy run in Monday. It happens. I'm fairly sure I didn't drink enough water over the weekend, and I think it really bit me in the butt.0
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I agree with changing up the routes. I do have a "normal" route that I do at least once a week, but I try to switch it up when possible. Even running your regular route backwards is a change. I get the fear of getting lost. I have a terrible sense of direction. If I'm changing up my route, I try to go for straight lines with only a few turns and map it out ahead of time.
I also have off days sometimes. Some days, I just can't get into it. I find that it tends to go with my moods though. Running is just as much a mental workout as a physical one. I find that if I go out with a good attitude, I have a better run. The worst is when you get the poops though
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Agree - attitude makes all the difference for me... when I'm feeling strong, I perform strong... I take it each day at a time.0
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yesterday I had a very slow run, my legs felt heavy and I just couldn't see the end ahahahha today my upper leg is hurting, so I might have over worked myself ...I think I will go for a brisk walk today
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Yes. This is normal. There can be a lot of factors why. You may not be fully recovered from a previous work out. The weather (humidity especially) has a big impact. Maybe you didn't eat enough or are dehydrated.
Just remember that bad runs make you stronger. Push yourself a little without hurting yourself and you will get better.0 -
SingRunTing wrote: »I agree with changing up the routes. I do have a "normal" route that I do at least once a week, but I try to switch it up when possible. Even running your regular route backwards is a change. I get the fear of getting lost. I have a terrible sense of direction. If I'm changing up my route, I try to go for straight lines with only a few turns and map it out ahead of time.
I also have off days sometimes. Some days, I just can't get into it. I find that it tends to go with my moods though. Running is just as much a mental workout as a physical one. I find that if I go out with a good attitude, I have a better run. The worst is when you get the poops though
YES!!!!!!! ahahahah only happened to me once! but I can tell you, that day...one of my fastest! lol
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you run every day? how often do you have rest days?0
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I work out every day but Saturdays, I run Sunday, Tuesdays, Thursdays. Fridays and Wednesdays walk and walk and walk0
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You know what? I do, I run the same route every day, I moved to the area not to long ago and well, I am scared of getting lost, besides I have to run at nite after I put my kids in bed, so usually is getting dark by that time ... I might have to come up with something to spice it up!
Yeah, I run early in the morning and it's still dark, just make sure you're extra visible. I just have like 3 routes around the town I swap between, I don't try anywhere new in the dark.0 -
Changing up routes is a big one for me. I run "loop" style routes, so even just reversing which way I go through the route helps. I also don't run the same distance every day. I have 5 pre-planned routes (I'm new to my neighbourhood as well so I've memorized them) that vary from 1.5-5k and I run what I have time for, am in the mood for, or what I feel my body can do. Realistically, if I run the whole 5k route and am trying to head out to run the next morning, I'm probably taking my shortest route or taking a day off. We all need rest days. I find that if I have more than one bad run in a row, it's my body saying that it needs some recovery time.
Also, stretching; if you're not consistently stretching, bad runs can become a much more frequent problem.0 -
JenniDaisy wrote: »You know what? I do, I run the same route every day, I moved to the area not to long ago and well, I am scared of getting lost, besides I have to run at nite after I put my kids in bed, so usually is getting dark by that time ... I might have to come up with something to spice it up!
Yeah, I run early in the morning and it's still dark, just make sure you're extra visible. I just have like 3 routes around the town I swap between, I don't try anywhere new in the dark.
Just a few days ago I got a BRIGHT GREEN running hoodie, because even with the reflecting belt cars seemed to have a "hard time" ...0 -
JenniDaisy wrote: »You know what? I do, I run the same route every day, I moved to the area not to long ago and well, I am scared of getting lost, besides I have to run at nite after I put my kids in bed, so usually is getting dark by that time ... I might have to come up with something to spice it up!
Yeah, I run early in the morning and it's still dark, just make sure you're extra visible. I just have like 3 routes around the town I swap between, I don't try anywhere new in the dark.
Just a few days ago I got a BRIGHT GREEN running hoodie, because even with the reflecting belt cars seemed to have a "hard time" ...
Oh I know, my running gear is black (There was a reason it was on sale) so I've ended up getting reflective bands for my ankles and wrists, a flashing bike light tied to one of my shoes, my waist pack is reflective AND a head torch if it's foggy. I've still had a couple of near misses...
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JenniDaisy wrote: »JenniDaisy wrote: »You know what? I do, I run the same route every day, I moved to the area not to long ago and well, I am scared of getting lost, besides I have to run at nite after I put my kids in bed, so usually is getting dark by that time ... I might have to come up with something to spice it up!
Yeah, I run early in the morning and it's still dark, just make sure you're extra visible. I just have like 3 routes around the town I swap between, I don't try anywhere new in the dark.
Just a few days ago I got a BRIGHT GREEN running hoodie, because even with the reflecting belt cars seemed to have a "hard time" ...
Oh I know, my running gear is black (There was a reason it was on sale) so I've ended up getting reflective bands for my ankles and wrists, a flashing bike light tied to one of my shoes, my waist pack is reflective AND a head torch if it's foggy. I've still had a couple of near misses...
I have this issue too. I went out and bought a bright green reflective vest (like construction workers wear when they are on the road). It wasn't much money and has more reflective surface than just the belts or bands.
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For me, the usual culprit is not enough water the day before, although sometimes it's not enough sleep because I realized I hadn't drunk enough water right before bed, chugged a liter and then peed all night long.
Either way, I tell myself that not every run can be a good one and that the important thing is that I ran, not how far I ran or how fast I ran.0 -
I have had my share of bad days and just chalk it up to the things that have been mentioned here. My two biggest culprits are not hydrated enough and the same old route. Last week I ran an official 5k in 29 minutes and this week when i did the same route I did it in 32 minutes. I have a friend that swears the weather change makes a difference in his runs and I tend to believe him. We all work hard to get out bodies adjusted to running in the summer then before you know it the seasons change and it is fall which includes more wind, different temps, and different scenery. Just don't sweat the fact that you have bad runs and just continue to put those running shoes on and go!0
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YES! OMG I hate those days. They really mess with my confidence.
Oh and I totally agree with the other poster who mentioned the poops. Damn runners trots!0 -
I wear a headlamp even when it's not dark, simply for visibility. That time of day when it's dusk seem to be the most dangerous. There have been times when I'm wearing every reflective/ neon piece of running gear I own and still almost get smooshed. Stupid drivers.JenniDaisy wrote: »JenniDaisy wrote: »You know what? I do, I run the same route every day, I moved to the area not to long ago and well, I am scared of getting lost, besides I have to run at nite after I put my kids in bed, so usually is getting dark by that time ... I might have to come up with something to spice it up!
Yeah, I run early in the morning and it's still dark, just make sure you're extra visible. I just have like 3 routes around the town I swap between, I don't try anywhere new in the dark.
Just a few days ago I got a BRIGHT GREEN running hoodie, because even with the reflecting belt cars seemed to have a "hard time" ...
Oh I know, my running gear is black (There was a reason it was on sale) so I've ended up getting reflective bands for my ankles and wrists, a flashing bike light tied to one of my shoes, my waist pack is reflective AND a head torch if it's foggy. I've still had a couple of near misses...
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My biggest thing is post-race running. Even a week after, I'll be out there plugging away 2-3min above my race pace and wondering how the heck I was able to race when I am "struggling" with that particular training run.0
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You know what? I do, I run the same route every day, I moved to the area not to long ago and well, I am scared of getting lost, besides I have to run at nite after I put my kids in bed, so usually is getting dark by that time ... I might have to come up with something to spice it up!
Not meant to freak you out or anything, but especially because you are running after dark you should consider switching up your route a little bit. As my Grandma always said, "there are bad people with evil thoughts out there."--you just want to make sure that your route is unpredictable enough that one of those 'bad people' can't target you.
I have bad days, too. As said previously, it seems to be highly dependent on sleep, mental status, food, and/or hydration. Most days I can go 6 with no problem, and today I barely made it over 3.5 (I think it's because I ran in the morning without really eating anything first). It doesn't help that I am in the process of officially losing my first toenail due to running (yuck!).
The important thing is to work through the issues that are making you feel sluggish, keep it up, and hopefully have fewer bad days!
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I have bad days as well, I find it really coordinates with lack of water/food/sleep. I start getting pain in my abdomen, high anxiety and it just makes for a really blegh run. In better news, I'm more mindful of those factors for next time and my next run is usually great.0
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I hate those days! I agree, totally messes up my confidence and I feel like I'm moving backwards instead of forwards... but I also have high expectations at this point, so it doesn't help... I don't really know what causes it though, but I know I won't have a good workout if I did too much the day before.0
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You know what? I do, I run the same route every day, I moved to the area not to long ago and well, I am scared of getting lost, besides I have to run at nite after I put my kids in bed, so usually is getting dark by that time ... I might have to come up with something to spice it up!
Not meant to freak you out or anything, but especially because you are running after dark you should consider switching up your route a little bit. As my Grandma always said, "there are bad people with evil thoughts out there."--you just want to make sure that your route is unpredictable enough that one of those 'bad people' can't target you.
I have bad days, too. As said previously, it seems to be highly dependent on sleep, mental status, food, and/or hydration. Most days I can go 6 with no problem, and today I barely made it over 3.5 (I think it's because I ran in the morning without really eating anything first). It doesn't help that I am in the process of officially losing my first toenail due to running (yuck!).
The important thing is to work through the issues that are making you feel sluggish, keep it up, and hopefully have fewer bad days!
Great advise! My husband was just telling me this a few days ago... I will work on map a few new routes!
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I find that when I have a couple of bad run days a major improvement is just around the corner. A faster run, or better endurance. Keep it up, you'll get there!0
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I agree with all of the above. Especially that for me it's more mental than physical. Yesterday's run I spent the first 20 mins saying I would stick to my shorter route and try harder next time as I really wasn't feeling it, I got stomach pains, acid and just couldn't get into it at all. Around mile 2 I gave myself a pep talk and just carried on and got over the 4 mile mark. I think at least 60% is mental attitude for me, which I didn't realise until I started out having a terrible run day
its all a learnjng cufve 0 -
Usually it's entireley explainable It's either 1 or some or all of the following.
1. Insufficient Rest.
2. Tired Leg Muscles from a leg day or too much running before then.
3. Dehydration
4. Inadequate nutrition, particularly lack of carbs. Complex or otherwise. Low glycogen stores can have a huge impact in these cases.0 -
I saw a lot of posts talking about running in the dark. I run, but never early because I work at 4AM...and I see lots of runners, but I never 'see' them properly. Even with the reflective stuff, you are just so hard to see. I've seen some that I didn't even know were there until I've passed, it's so scary for me as a DRIVER. Being a runner, I know how exhilarating that feel is, but being a driver at 4 am, well, that's even a bigger rush, but in a bad way.
And geez, don't wear BLACK!!0 -
happyfeetrebel1 wrote: »I saw a lot of posts talking about running in the dark. I run, but never early because I work at 4AM...and I see lots of runners, but I never 'see' them properly. Even with the reflective stuff, you are just so hard to see. I've seen some that I didn't even know were there until I've passed, it's so scary for me as a DRIVER. Being a runner, I know how exhilarating that feel is, but being a driver at 4 am, well, that's even a bigger rush, but in a bad way.
And geez, don't wear BLACK!!
Lol I wear a lot of black being a metal head kinda guy and even I have a white jogging suit for jogging at night. Anyone who runs and crosses streets at night in a black jogging suit at night is really the type of person natural selection was invented for.
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