46 replies to this topic

[M0606]

G Day,

Yesterday I woke up for my early morning run and I felt fantastic. Every km made me feel even better than the last, I felt like I could run forever.

This morning I woke up feeling excited for my run, all I could think about was running like I did yesterday.

Wow.... How my hopes came crushing down, I knew in the first 100m something was not right, I felt slow, my legs were heavy, my breathing seemed to be different.
I started to get angry at myself, I was telling myself pull yourself together and stop the mind games silly. I pulled back my shoulders and started focusing on what I wanted to do and put a plan together in my head and knuckled down.

From that point on it got harder and harder!!!

I completed the run but boy did I struggle, it's not the frustration of having a bad run it's the mind games after. What did I do wrong, what changed, was I too hot or cold, was it the rain jacket that put me off,  and so on.

I HATE BAD RUNS !!!!

Tomorrow is a new day and a new run,I  hope it's better than today's run.

How do you recover from a bad run ???

[lyricnz]

Did you have a rest day, the day before yesterday?  That could be all it is.

[Stonewalled]

I am generally pleased that the inevitable bad run has come and gone and look forward to the next runs as they will generally be as unexplainably good. I particularly feel fortunate if a sloppy run comes just before a race....that is as opposed to being the race.

[M0606]

Sure did, that might have played a big factor.

I did my long run Sunday afternoon. Usually don't have a rest day after my long run but decided to mix things up this time to keep the body guessing, lesson learnt.

[southy]

Some runs are diamonds , some are lumps of coal. generally when I have a really lousy run it is because I am tired still & have not recovered from my last effort (especially if it was a really good session but left me sore & tired).

Best to put it behind you & move on. Don't dwell on it. Makes the good ones all that much better!

[MG4R]

The past is the past. You cannot always run 100%, that is life! Just remember you have put the work in, and you know you can run great (like you did the other day). Everyone talks about the physical side of running, but the most important aspect to running is the mental side. You can be the best runner in the world, but without the right mental attitude will not be successful! Take the bad with the good, and vise-versa! Keep up the good work.

[mb2326]

M0606, on 11 July 2012 - 11:54 AM, said:

G Day,

Yesterday I woke up for my early morning run and I felt fantastic. Every km made me feel even better than the last, I felt like I could run forever.

This morning I woke up feeling excited for my run, all I could think about was running like I did yesterday.

Wow.... How my hopes came crushing down, I knew in the first 100m something was not right, I felt slow, my legs were heavy, my breathing seemed to be different.
I started to get angry at myself, I was telling myself pull yourself together and stop the mind games silly. I pulled back my shoulders and started focusing on what I wanted to do and put a plan together in my head and knuckled down.

From that point on it got harder and harder!!!

I completed the run but boy did I struggle, it's not the frustration of having a bad run it's the mind games after. What did I do wrong, what changed, was I too hot or cold, was it the rain jacket that put me off,  and so on.

I HATE BAD RUNS !!!!

Tomorrow is a new day and a new run,I  hope it's better than today's run.

How do you recover from a bad run ???

I ran a 10k race on Sunday and missed my goal time by about 30-40 secs, although I didnt taper and was coming off a 94km week (I am running a marathon in 5 and a half weeks time) so not too displeased with the time but did expect better after a rest day the day before, i ran 38:30.

I have struggled big time since the race and after 2 very ordinary recovery runs yesterday and today, the first 10km run on Tuesday I struggled to hold 5:15km pace, very humbling considering my goal marathon pace is 4:10-4:15.  This mornings run (13km) was slightly better avg 4:55pkm but still very slow considering I do longs runs at 4:45pkm and tempo's at 4:00 pkm, a rest day tomorrow and then another easy run on Friday should hopefully help but its been a shocking week and one that I will be glad to have behind me.  What I take from this is that if I am having a bad run its because I have pushed my body to its limits in the days prior, which is a good thing and long term will benefit me, and when I fully recover I will be all the better for it, thats what I am telling myself anyway.

[Duf]

I always say to myself when I finish a difficult run "It's in the bank". Nothing can take it away from you once it's done - good or bad!

[johnnyboyrun]

The bad ones make the good ones better... Doesn't matter who you are, you will always have bad ones sometimes.

[mytym]

Bad runs are something I've always struggled with.  Sometimes you can come up with a reason, but often you can't.  It's just so inexplicable.  What if it happens when it matters?  How can I prevent it?  The thing is, it only takes one bad run to evaporate my confidence, whereas it takes several good runs to restore it.  The fact of the matter is, unfortunately, that sometimes it's out of your hands.  You just have to put it out of your mind and move on.  Cherish the good runs when they happen.

[maryclaire]

This is worth a read:

http://www.alsoranru...nfo/badruns.htm

I am guilty of feeling only as good (or as bad) as my last run.  but experience teaches that everything is cyclical - and while there might be an obvious reason for a bad run (impending illness etc), sometimes there is just no answer that we can think of.

They can't all be "good" runs - and the bad ones make the good ones so much more of a gift.

[biggers]

I was ready to throw in the towel after a shocker on Sunday. The last 10km of my 25km run were run at a slow shuffle. 2 days later, I had quite a reasonable speed session (for me, anyway!) and felt much more positive. All of us have bad runs at some point - you just have to put it behind you and look forward to the next run!

[Davo]

maryclaire, on 11 July 2012 - 07:42 PM, said:

This is worth a read:

http://www.alsoranru...nfo/badruns.htm

I am guilty of feeling only as good (or as bad) as my last run.  but experience teaches that everything is cyclical - and while there might be an obvious reason for a bad run (impending illness etc), sometimes there is just no answer that we can think of.

They can't all be "good" runs - and the bad ones make the good ones so much more of a gift.

Good link, Maryclaire. Read it, folks.

[vat]

Just about every warm up I have before a race is a shocker.

[tonedbutt]

Davo, on 11 July 2012 - 09:05 PM, said:

maryclaire, on 11 July 2012 - 07:42 PM, said:

This is worth a read:

http://www.alsoranru...nfo/badruns.htm

I am guilty of feeling only as good (or as bad) as my last run.  but experience teaches that everything is cyclical - and while there might be an obvious reason for a bad run (impending illness etc), sometimes there is just no answer that we can think of.

They can't all be "good" runs - and the bad ones make the good ones so much more of a gift.

Good link, Maryclaire. Read it, folks.

Gem of a quote in there..."It doesn't have to be pretty".

Edited to include punctuation.

Edited by tonedbutt, 12 July 2012 - 03:37 AM.

[M0606]

Run was good today!!!

Edited by M0606, 12 July 2012 - 07:52 AM.

[4range]

Reading through this thread, & like most, I can relate to the sentiments, as such I feel the desire to add my 0.2c worth.

Short story long.......

Being in my mid .......never mind! - having only been running now for almost 2 years & being of a mature age, I guessed that more than 1/2 a life of smoking would limit my performance to that of a lethargic snail. However I was not to be deterred, &  set out discovering shortly there after, that I was only marginally faster than the aforementioned snail.

My first 12 months saw me reach several goals including running an almost marathon distance of 41.1k - taking a mere 5 & 1/2hrs to complete! (probably would have been quicker to walk it!)

During my recovery phase I decided that this was appallingly slow & shifted focus to increasing speed over shorter distances. After a slow start I eventually saw some small improvements, then the improvements came consistantly for the next 6 months & I knew I was on my way to the olympics (well, perhaps not, but I was quite pleased with myself).

Shortly thereafter, I had a series of bad runs, & figured that there was just no improvement left to be had, & that I would just persevere & accept that I had probably reached the point  of diminishing return.

Last weekend my 15k times were almost 3 minutes slower than previous & instead of the run flowing, I just felt 'clunky' the whole time, even the usually 'fast' sections were very ugly.
Given that we are In the lead up to C2S, I was seriously disturbed that I had shot my mouth off to friends about what I would achieve in the C2S, & I was getting slower instead of faster, not even able to maintain my previous pace - talk about pride before the fall!

After 2 days off due to soreness in the calf & achilies area, I ran last night, deciding to take it reasonably easy & not fret about the pace. To steal a line from a movie somewhere, it was "just beauuuutifullll mannn!", the whole thing flowed nicely the entire 6k.

Arriving back at the driveway, I knew that as the effort was less than the usual TT, it would be a respectable time, but not my best.

Of course with Murphy on my side for once, I checked the time & found that it was my fastest  circuit yet - my new PB!

Naturally I am now Kicking myself that I didnt push harder & blitz my previous best however I must say I am significantly relieved that the 'Bad' runs are behind me for now!

Going forward, I will remember this thread, & just 'bank' those crappy runs as a necessary part of ongoing development

[Stej]

Everyone knows that the only way to guarantee a good run in to wear those lucky socks / shorts / hat etc .  More seriously I think everyone encounters a bad run from now and then - disappointing but not usually disastrous.  It's good to see the OP has returned to some good running.

[runnerstyle]

I had a bad run just the other day - started getting crampy as soon as I set out. Happens to the best of us!

[Duf]

I just thought it was normal to have bad runs, that it is a natural process of progressing your training....and then you taper (or have a bit of a break) and come back feeling AWESOME!!!

[iRonnie]

A bad run. An oxymoron: almost equal to a serious funrun.

[crowpower]

I can usually tell in the first thirty steps what my run will be like. If it feels like being a dog of a day I just reflect that I can run and get on with it. I time about a third of my runs only and rarely have a bad run when wearing my watch. Maybe people could just go out and run without worrying so much about their pace.

I score every run from 1-10 with 5 as average. I used to just do integers but now I go to one decimal place. One day I'll look back and analyse all those scores, but right now I'm just accumulating them. On bad days this helps to keep me focussed. On good days I forget all about it until it's time to write it down.

Some of the most satisfying runs are those which change from bad to good after about 15 minutes.

[biggers]

iRonnie, on 12 July 2012 - 05:59 PM, said:

A bad run. An oxymoron: almost equal to a serious funrun.

If only! I had another bad run today - basically because I was dog tired (through lack of sleep). Still, it was better than sitting at my desk!

[42junkie]

Oh gee, I have had so many bad runs. Last year partner and I had a long weekend away on the Gold Coast and the intention was a long run before a lazy brekkie each morning. Such a luxury.  But who let the side down? After 5 km or so on the first day I was toast and we had to complete that run with a lot of walking. The other two mornings the same thing happened, only earlier into the run. We weren't going fast, and I could see no reason for this string of bad runs. Nor could he. We did the brekkie thing anyway, but I actually felt guilty that I had not run enough to deserve it.

[Stonewalled]

As it turns out I had a bad run today.

[Tony123]

A bad run is still a run, much better than not being able to run due to injury

[iRonnie]

Bad runs are bad at the time but contribute to making your good runs mighty good .

[Hoary]

42junkie, on 13 July 2012 - 12:08 PM, said:

Oh gee, I have had so many bad runs. Last year partner and I had a long weekend away on the Gold Coast and the intention was a long run before a lazy brekkie each morning. Such a luxury.  But who let the side down? After 5 km or so on the first day I was toast and we had to complete that run with a lot of walking. The other two mornings the same thing happened, only earlier into the run. We weren't going fast, and I could see no reason for this string of bad runs. Nor could he. We did the brekkie thing anyway, but I actually felt guilty that I had not run enough to deserve it.

I feel better now Julia....if you have bad runs with your crendentials then I now know  I'm normal !!!!
Currently training for my first Marathon & every time I have a bad run I doubt myself so much & throw the joggers in the corner ....

[dazmuzza]

So it's not just me who gets them. Had a great run on Monday, smashed out a good time. Wednesday evening, went on a run via  new unchartered route and felt terrible throughout!!

[Ponytail]

The best thing about the bad runs is that you hung in there & got through it & didn't quit which shows character, strength & resilience you probably wouldn't have if you weren't a runner. You know if you can get through the bad runs, you can absolutely smash the good ones!

[Duf]

People who fish have the saying...something like "the worst day fishing is better than the best day working".....i think the same can be applied here....

[tonedbutt]

Well said ponytail and Duf.

[Pom]

Sometimes what seems to be a bad run, can turn into one of the best.  Last Sunday I really wasn't in the mood. Coming off a couple of big weeks before my taper, I was feeling tired and lethargic and nearly didn't go out. 25km later, came home feeling great, and then found out I'd run the route significantly faster than before.  Sometimes, you just can't tell how it's going to be.

[Martin Dugdale]

A bad run is a golden opportunity to train on tired legs.

[Wedgetail]

ponytail, on 13 July 2012 - 04:34 PM, said:

The best thing about the bad runs is that you hung in there & got through it & didn't quit which shows character, strength & resilience you probably wouldn't have if you weren't a runner. You know if you can get through the bad runs, you can absolutely smash the good ones!

Is it a test of character to keep going or is it more that the chosen course is an out and back with the car and the only way home at the end?

When there is any doubt, I always run an out and back so I don't shortcut.  The run back may be more of a walk run and unhappy but at least I still do it.

[biggers]

ponytail, on 13 July 2012 - 04:34 PM, said:

The best thing about the bad runs is that you hung in there & got through it & didn't quit which shows character, strength & resilience you probably wouldn't have if you weren't a runner. You know if you can get through the bad runs, you can absolutely smash the good ones!

Well said, ponytail! That gives me hope!

[ChloeP]

The tough runs are definitely inevitable. While they suck at the time, the worst ones always make the good ones that much better!

[johnson748r]

_{I also used to struggle after a bad run, then had a long time out because of injury and realised that even a bad run is better than no run at all, and that one day (hopefully in the far, far distant future), I may not be able to run at all and would look back on every kilometre as something wonderful. Even the sucky ones.}

Edited by johnson748r, 19 July 2012 - 10:42 AM.

[Hoary]

Martin Dugdale, on 15 July 2012 - 10:39 AM, said:

A bad run is a golden opportunity to train on tired legs.

Martin, that quote has just helped me heaps....I'm 53 yrs of age  & 5 weeks away from my first marathon at the Sunshine Coast......I've put in the hard yards over the past 12 months to do this but I'm aching all over & my legs are soooo tired & i feel like quitting today........but I'll keep going & it wont beat me...........the upside is that it is a golden opportunity to train on tired old legs & if everything was ideal everyone would train & run a marathon !!! thank you...

[tonedbutt]

I had a bad run today.  Very tired and bummed after night shift, legs cramping and a general feeling of being terribly heavy.  So I walked some and ran some and figured that just getting out there was an achievement in itself and the little I did was more than if I hadn't gone or had turned back, which was a temptation.

[Mile27]

The common theme here seems to be that bad runs are a great opportunity to train on tired legs.

Whilst sometimes I agree , I would also add continuing a bad run is also a chance to run yourself into the ground and push you towards an injury.

Am I the only one who every now and then when having a bad run pulls the pin and cuts it short. Sometimes cutting it short will salvage the rest of your training week , whereas finishing the run will mean the rest of your training week suffers.

There are runs where you are tired and running slower than normal and it's worth doing the run for the mental benefits on running with tired legs but there are also bad runs where your body is trying really hard to tell you something - "don't run" and it is occasionally worth listening to it.

Sometimes it is mentally harder to cut a run short ( or not run at all) than it is to complete the planned run.

For me the criteria is how I feel mentally and the speed I am running at. If I am struggling mentally and my pace is significantly slower than normal then I'll cut the run short.

Obviously there is normal variations in your training pace for example the pace for my long runs may be around 4.20-4.30 usually but occasionally will slow down to 4.40-4.45 on tired legs but if I find myself running over 5 min k's on a route I normally run 4.30's on easily then there is something wrong. I don't see much benefit in running 40-50 seconds slower than my usual easy run , my body is clearly telling me it's had enough for a day and needs a rest.

Listen to what your body is telling you and dont be afraid to cut your run short or not run at all. Your body may thank you.

[speedmeup]

I agree Mile 27  .. some-times a bad run is telling you that the body (and/or mind) is not 100%.. time to ease back and jog it home. Pick up the lost kilometres another time .. live to fight another day.

Some-one posted a training video of David Rudisha in Kenya a few months ago, his Coach pulled him from a sprint session about half way through, realising that David was not having a good day. . better to ease up and allow a better session the following day, rather than push too hard and ruin the training week.

This is not the same as copping out during a hard / tough session .. you've got to learn the difference between feeling flat and feeling lazy (quite different). Training regimes need to be flexible enough to account for this ..

[mytym]

There's definitely a case for pulling the pin when you're not running well.  However, you must be careful not to let it become a habit.  Pretty soon you can find yourself coming up with any excuse to give up when the going gets tough, and that only leads to one place...Failure.  You must be able to distinguish the difference between needing to stop and wanting to stop.  It's not as easy as it sounds.  It's the reason why my 2010 & 2011 campaigns fell apart.

[Ali1977]

I agree that it can be frustrating when you seem to be going well and then have an inexplicable bad run. When it happens to me during the post-mortem (don't take that literally, not had that bad a run yet......) I can usually point to: general tiredness through lack of sleep; lack of hydration, or; my blood sugar being too high (I'm a diabetic). The point is, there's probably always a good physiological reason for it but sometimes there are too many variables to make sense of the reasoning.

I'm no expert but I would agree that we need to listen to what our bodies are telling us, and that might sometimes mean cutting it short. If people are honest with themselves it is usually easy to distinguish between the need to listen to what your body is telling you and just not being fully motivated to complete a run. Having said all that, there are probably valid psychological reasons for cutting short a run as well....but I guess thats a different story...

[tonedbutt]

I agree with the previous 4 posters.  Rest is sometimes overlooked and underrated.  Having said that, after my bad run on Saturday, when I was very tired from night shift, and a bit sore, I felt like going out again yesterday.  After a night's rest I was so much better.  Sometimes, I figure a bad run can be a sign of a breakthrough.

[earlyriser]

The body is an amazing thing.
I am training for Melbourne Marathon and was due to do a 24Km run with 13km @ race pace on Sunday. Went out yesterday morning after getting up a bit late and being a bit lethargic. Got to about 4km and was dragging myself around, decided to do it as a recovery run of 8km and packed it in.

Anyway went out this morning and absolutely blitzed it. Fantastic run.

Amazing what a little bit of extra rest can do or was it the chocolate coated licorice!!

Edited by earlyriser, 01 August 2012 - 06:04 AM.

[speedmeup]

Having a bad day today . . but trained the last 9 days in a row, so it's time for a day off.

Will try to get up early and have a nice easy trail run. .