Dealing with the bad days
Mon, 15/02/2010 - 12:19
I've seen a few posts on bad runs, bad days and bad weeks. Just after having a bad day this weekend, trying to get a long run in, and the head, heart, lungs and legs all gave up. Had to stop multiple times even though the distance was well within my ability. Came home, had shower and went out the next day for a medium distance run, which was better, but still tired from the previous day.
What do people do to throw off those bad times, the worst affect is mentally because it causes you to doubt whether you can achieve what you are looking to do (finish a marathon etc). I think the best thing for me is to rest well then try again maybe a week later and it has always worked so far, so what do others do to throw off the bad days. The problem with rest is that coming close to a race, you might not have to luxury of missing some long runs.
Anyone come across any research on why one day you can fly and others you drag yourself around? I am convinced that, gievn preparation, getting the best out of yourself totally depends on how you feel on the day. Only on days I feel good do I get a PR or close to it. Other days, cannot get within an asses roar, strange!
Sat, 20/02/2010 - 13:56
#2
Hey dsedeath and Yvonne
I definately know what you mean - somedays just feel like youre running with cement runners. Its strange I never think its the physical discomfort that hurts on a 'bad run day' but more the mental consequences. It can be frustrating and I often waste more energy getting angry with myself or anxious Ill be running like this forever!
I dont think there is any one answer - I think there are so many variables and a good runner will sort through them to find the culprit, learn from the experience so that it is less likely to happen again. For me most of the time its a lack of sleep / recovery from tough sessions so I try keep track of hours slept in my running diary and if possible catch up before I train - not always, actually usually, not possible.
Hydration is a really big factor and even a 2% loss of bodyweight is claimed to reduce performance by 10-20%. Food intake is important and it could be wrong timing, inadequate intake or you may just have eaten the wrong thing. Depleted iron levels especially in girls is another possibility. We're also subject to factors we may not be able to control - weather, our own biology, the stresses of everyday life.
Thinking back on 'bad run days' and there have been lots, it helps me to remember that Ive always gotten my mojo back. Yvonne I think you may just be going through a bad patch and Id guarantee that if you take a few days break so your hunger/ focus returns, continue your training and then taper correctly you will be in the middle of Connemara and loving it before you know it (and this bad patch will be far from your mind). Sometimes it pays not to keep pushing through it, sometimes you can challenge it a bit but this is where knowing yourself and your body as a runner is important. If your not too sure I'd err on the side of caution and take a few days off - sometimes you need to be still to move forward.
Taking all these factors into account there are still days that baffle me and I cant put my finger on a cause. Im convinced that maybe theyre there just to help us appreciate and get more from the 'good run days' - and they ALWAYS return.
Sat, 20/02/2010 - 17:01
#3
Hi Yvonne and desdeath, I find it hard to get out and run, but the trick, I think, is to have a plan for whatever race you are planning on doing. For example, am doing the Cork marathon in June and want to do it under four hours. So, my plan of action is to eat healthly, no junk food. Am eating quite a lot, as you need to when training for a marathon, but the right foods rather than crisps, biscuits etc. The next thing, is, of course, to get out there and run. Running four times a week, Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday/Sunday. The week day runs are around 11 miles and am following a plan recommended to me by a friend of doing a good long run one week and then the next week to do a run of around 11 miles. This is to give the body a chance to recover and to get used to doing a long run every two weeks. When you run by yourself, which I do mostly, it is hard to push yourself but if you do roughly the same route every day you can try to do the run in a faster time. If you push the body, gradually your body gets used to running at a faster pace and you can then try to go faster after a few weeks. Sometimes it is good to run with a friend or to do a run with people e.g am doing the BUPA 10k run in Apil, it may be only 10k but you can see how fast you can do it and when you run with thousands of other people it can spur you on. Running is hard, there are no shortcuts. If I am serious about doing the Cork marathon under four hours I have to push it because the way you train for a marathon, is the way you will run a marathon. All the best, Owen.
Sat, 20/02/2010 - 21:05
#4
Hi guys and thanks for replying. You both make good valid points.
If I take each set of points seperatly and comment on them I hope that will be ok, just want to get the most out of all your info.
EllisC your definitly right that the mental component of a bad run is more head wrecking than any physical pain, usually in a bad run I havent done so much that there is a physical side to it! yep lack of sleep was and is a factor. I did take a couple of days off and actually slept for the time I should have run and did fell the better of it thats when I did my least favourite run and ran it well. Because things are so upended I am eating more consciously maybe a little more frequently but not crap so that I think is ok? Also I am aware of the problems of dehydration and usually spend time between runs getting properly hydrated for the next one!
I'm not that an experienced a runner at distance probally should really call myself a jogger, really only a year at it so am'nt really experienced at knowing my limitations or reasons why things don't go well and I'm great at beating myself up at not following timetables.
And Owen I know running is hard work thats part of the attraction is the satisfaction of completing a difficult run or in going the extra mile. Most of my running is done by myself so I try and run where I will get the most out of it mentally and physically, not always eco friendly but hey there are some lovely places to run so I try find them, good for the soul!
I'm not trying to run for gold but for a more personal reason and that the killer part of this. I have the races of all different distances with the aim of completing the big ones. I've put in the miles and the hours and heard all the bitching,trued to do my best and then BANG can't put one foot in front of the other?
With 7 weeks and 39miles facing me how much time do I give myself before droping down to a lower distance or just not doing it at all? As said before I really don't want to be that fool in the ambo due to lack of proper preperation. But droping distance would be heartbreaking for me.....saddo with no mojo
yvonne
Sun, 21/02/2010 - 13:23
#5
Convinced of the merits of rest and sleep.Yvonne, you have put in the time and distance to build strength, you were on six days a week with 10-12 miles most days, thats quarter of the way and you feel fine after it, fairly easy to get to half way I'll bet, its only after that that things get hard. Main thing is to know that when you get to 30, you wont let yourself quit....I ran a marathon last year, unprepared really and had to drag myself home, tucked in behind a runner with red socks and just watched the red socks rise and fall for miles....something to concentrate on and keep going.
The strength building is mostly done now, just trying to put in a few long runs to get the body used to the time on the feet, dont overdo it now, take alternate days off for a few days, you wont lose any fitness or strength (though you always feel like you will) and you should see a bit of recovery.
I wouldnt put any more than three more long long run weekends, I'm aiming for 28 today and 30 next weekend and one more before seriously cutting back, the strength is there, it just retreats a bit when the body needs a rest, thats my new motto....will see how it goes. When you take the last week off (do few miles at most), you will be fizzing and ready to go..
Sun, 21/02/2010 - 20:50
#6
Hey Yvonne
I think dsedeath gave some great advice - dividing the race into sections/ quarters and you have been doing lots of quarters and not a bother to you. Just a few long runs like you said will help you to see that you have achieved 1/2 and then 3/4 and the last 1/4 you will dig deep for on the day.
I think you said it yourself 'Ive put in the miles and the hours' so trust in that. That wont just vanish but it is so easy to think that it will. Don't beat yourself up over not following a set timetable / program. Listening to your body is more important. Just think about topping up a little more (just like you said) and then youre into taper.
It may be an idea just get your bloods taken to check for iron/ B vits
Well done - it sounds like you have come some distance in one year. Just hang in there a little longer now.
Sun, 21/02/2010 - 21:47
#7
Hi dsedeath, thanks for the advice and encouragement. Was luckey had a good chat on the phone today with someone who knows their stuff and got a chance to talk through my training problems. Was too focused on the time limits for 13 and 26 miles and couldnt get past them as I said before am not a racehorse. That combined with all the stresses of the past couple of weeks and the crap runs I've been having and not being able to get the long or the short runs in I just didn't know what to do or even who to ask! But today took the focus off the time and back on the enjoyment of the running which was really missing Finally see the light at the end of the tunnel and now am actually really looking foward to moving foward, EllisC was right I just had to stand still a moment for the mist to clear and find a way plus it did help that the chat here and today was both informative and motivational from everyone so thanks guys, I really appreciate all the time and help. And just so everyone will need sunglasses and to cheer myself up I got a top for under my RNLI shirt and yeah I know I'm a girl but colour matching really isnt my thing. My top is as pink as your shorts are orange so try spotting me outa the crowd hehe Connemara here I come and again thanks everyone for all the help I really do appreciate it, yvonne xx
Tue, 23/02/2010 - 22:51
#8
My tactic for the day is that Im running a half marathon 3 times so when I get to the first 13, I'll start again at 1,2,3, etc and when I get to the second 13 (really 26!) I'll count backwards 13, 12, 11, 10.......and then Im into the "run before breakfast" territory. So on my long runs I do the same thing and counting down seems much shorter than counting up! Thats not to say that my legs arent tired but if I can get my brain to think otherwise thats half the battle. I'd love to be able to say Im getting everything else right, diet, sleep, recovery massages, the works but hey life goes on while your training and others dont apreciate your commitment to the cause so you have to compromise sometimes. Ive spend 10 days going to the hospital after work every night to visit sick relative, eating on the run as a result and getting up earlier in the morning to get run in. Im wrecked but stubborn. New challenge this week is a bout of tinnitus, which Im sure some bright spark (non runner) will tell me if from "running too much"!! No time to deal with that until ater 11th. I look forward to spotting the RNLI and pink shirt on the day!
Wed, 24/02/2010 - 12:50
#9
Hi Lucy, sorry for not responding to your last post on the other forum but this one caught my eye and I was in such a dark place was interested in what other people did or do. I'm the very same with the marathon (no ultra experience yet) but I always find the first half harder than the second even though if should be a negitative split it never is and the firsr half faster than the second but it's the fact that once I pass the 13.2mile mark it's further to go back that it is to go foward even though it only .1 of a mile more and the road home is always easier! Yes sunglass are now mandatory for anyone attempting the ultra between dsedeaths lovely very orange shorts and my lovely very pink shirt! What mad colour are you going to go for so we will recognise you? Went for my first run in a week only did 6miles but for the first time in ages I had fun and enjoyed it am heading out for a longer run with friends in the morning it will be slow but it will be a way of catching up with all the gossip that I have missed over the past two weeks and hopefully make the miles go quicker! Hope you relative get better soon. Can't wait to meet everyone in Conn you've all been so great with help and advice and support when things have been tough, happy running to you all, yvonne xx
Wed, 24/02/2010 - 19:24
#10
Thanks EllisC yeah I did do the bloods just in case but just think the stress of the past few weeks, but then stress can do mad things to the body so better safe than sorry! Yep am taking dsedeaths advice and I have taken a couple of days off this week doing different things I did an aqua aerobic class which was good crack and also good for my poor back! had a complete day off yesterday and just did a short slow run today, rather do that and build confidence than try go for a long one and not suceed! Am going running with friends in the morning and then trying aqua running in the evening supost to be very good for core stability also as I'm always calling myself a donkey said I'd try training like a racehorse and see how fast I can go after haha!! Well a change is as good as a rest and you never know what I might learn there, let you know how it goes, thanks again, yvonne xx
Post new comment
View your shopping cart.
Offer of the Week
Enter these Races online now
| Road Race | 11th Feb | The 6th AnneValley 5 Mile Challenge | Enter |
| Duathlon | 12th Feb | Sportsmans Duathlon Series | Enter |
| Road Race | 12th Feb | Mealagh Valley Ring | Enter |
| Road Race | 12th Feb | Enniscorthy 10k | Enter |
| Road Race | 12th Feb | Maree 8k Run and Fun Walk with Amphibian King | Enter |
| Running | 18th Feb | Altidore 10K - Kilpeddar - Trail Run | Enter |
| Cross Country | 18th Feb | BHAA GARDA XC RACES | Enter |
| Duathlon | 19th Feb | ‘Trax Brasserie’ Naas Duathlon Series Race 2 | Enter |
| Road Race | 19th Feb | South Galway AC - GORGEOUS GORT 4 MILE Road Race | Enter |
| Mountain race | 25th Feb | WILD WEST RUN - KILLARNEY - 13.1m Trail Run | Enter |
Hi Dsedeath,
God just wondering the same myself! Have had two completely crap weeks for presonal reasons with little or no time to train. Went out Monday and ran a run I hate and did it great and enjoyed it then on the tue couldnt pass a snail and since then just cant shake off the bad days!
Am begining to doubt my ability to do connemara and am getting very depressed about it and can hear the "told you so" before I even begin!
Don't know how to get the motivation back and don't even know where to go for help with that! Feel like i'm flogging a dead horse! I set out to do the long runs and just can't find the focus I know is within me and I've done the distances and know I can and yet I can't!
Before I read you post I was just about to email conn and quit! I'd still go and help out cause its a brillant race and that way I'd still be involved!
I'm stuck in a whole and can't get out so yeah am open to any and all ideas, so of the more experienced runners should be helping out here?
yvonne008