Maybe it was the crazy wind, the muddy roads I was running on, or the fact that all I had for breakfast was a pancake which I KNOW does not fuel me good. I didn't hydrate well before or the night before and halfway through the run was STARVING. Whatever the reason 10 miles in I couldn't believe I still had 4 to go.
I decided at that point to do two more at call it a day. As much as I HATED to quit before I had in at least 14 miles. I had to question whether it was really worth it.
In taking stock of the situation
- My legs were tired
- I felt a little nauseated
- I was out of water
- I was hungry
- I was thirsty
- My normal long run pace is around 9 min/mile and I was struggling just to hold on to a 9:45 pace the last four miles.
2. The good in yesterday's run. I have been struggling on and off for about 6 weeks now with hip pain and it is slowly getting better. Yesterday was the third run I have had that was completlely pain free. It feels so good to run and not have the dull nagging pain at the start of a run. I can also sleep on the affected side again so I think (crosses finger) that it is slowly getting better.
3. I only had to work Tuesday this week. I had some days vacation days I had to use up or they would expire June 31. I don't have anything planned other than doing some fun things with the kids like go to the park tomorrow and go on a hike and a picnic today.
Have you ever quit a run early because it just wasn't productive anymore?
Some days are just like that. You'll be back to feeling good and have a good day to make up for it soon!
ReplyDeleteOH BOY, Yes I have quit a run early, because I just wasnt feeling it and like you every step was so tough. Call it a bad run and move on. I know your next one you will be hitting it out of the park. Christy, do you wear more running skirts than running shorts? You have some of the cutest skirts. I ordered one from Running Skirt I hope it get here soon. I've tried on so many other one and have not like them. Hope this one is the one. Fingers crossed.
ReplyDeleteEverybody has icky runs like that sometimes. The next one you will feel great!! Glad you have a nice and easy week too. Sounds like fun!
ReplyDeleteThe last long run I had before my marathon was a complete disaster. We had to call it quits and walk the last two miles back. I was freaking out that that meant disaster for the marathon. Everyone kept telling me "better to have a bad long run and get it out of the way so the marathon is great!" They were right.
ReplyDeleteHell yeah. My last long run in fact. I quit my 20 miler at 19 just so I could quit fighting with myself. Sucked. It happens - the next one will be better :)
ReplyDeleteI think you did a REALLY smart thing! Nate told me when I started training that he wanted me to workout based on how my body felt. If I hurt, cut it short. If I had a short workout planned and felt good, keep going. So, I do---and it's saved me a lot of heartache I think. :)
ReplyDeleteSarah
www.thinfluenced.com
Glad your hip is feeling better but sorry you had a yucky run. Enjoy your hike and picnic. Your next run will be better. I had to cut my 10 miler to 9.5 because I was so darn thirsty last week. It happens to everyone:)
ReplyDeleteGlad your hip is better. So sorry about the sucky run. I usually push through the suck-fests, but I don't run the mileage you do. Enjoy your day off, that's probably what your body was trying to tell you - rest needed.
ReplyDeleteYes, I've definitely had runs like that. They don't usually mean a thing except that it wasn't your day. Big cheers for vacation days, though!
ReplyDeleteI hate that the run wasn't as good as it could have been but that's great that you were running pain free. Hopefully the pain is gone for good. I've definitely bailed on a run that I just wasn't feeling good about more than once. Those runs make me appreciate the great ones so much more! Enjoy some time off work!
ReplyDeleteI hate those days! Sometimes it is hard to tell the difference between your body needing to stop vs you just being lame and wanting to stop. So usually I try to push myself, but it's good to take stock like you did and see where you went wrong. A lack of fuel, a bad pre-race meal, or a poor night's sleep can make all the difference in the world. We all experience that from time to time.
ReplyDeleteDon't panic! I had the same thing happen to me during marathon training. I think we have dud short-long runs because we go into the run with the mentality that it will be oh-so-easy (JUST a 14 mile run, right?) and we forget to prepare mentally and healthwise (nutrition, hydration) because of this. 14 miles is still a really far distance we we need to remember to approach these runs with this in mind. That was what I told myself during marathon training when I had these kind of runs during training.
ReplyDeleteso glad you were pain-free and it's fine that you cut it short! better to be safe than sorry and risk illness/injury/burnout. You'll be just fine! Great job still getting in 12 and hopefully you're feeling good now
ReplyDeleteSome days are just like that. I think it's great that you knew when to call it good. Take it for what it was and move on :).
ReplyDeleteEveryone has their off days, but 12 miles vs. 14 miles really isn't much of a difference. You are due for a good run soon!
ReplyDeleteI am glad that your hip pain is finally going away. I have quit several runs when I felt that they weren't going to be productive. Sometimes you just have to listen to your body and do that.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to think of a long run I've done in the past year where I HAVEN'T called it quits early...I just am having a lot of mental issues. But that's just me...you'll have a better one next time; glad the hip pain is all gone - yay!
ReplyDeleteYay for pain free runs. I can relate...I've had knee pain lately but it's slowly going away. Anything you did to help with your hip pain recently or do you think it's just healing on it's own?
ReplyDeleteSometimes our runs just navigate themselves, I think that is okay to stop a little short when you know its probably best!
ReplyDeleteyah for some days off!
Well, my long runs are not even close to your long runs, but yes-I have quit a run before because of "ickiness". :) I don't think I am hydrating enough in this 80 and 90 degree weather right now so that's part of it. And the other day I HAD TO USE THE BATHROOM! :)
ReplyDeleteShannon
http://www.irunreadteach.wordpress.com
Yay for only working on Tuesday!
ReplyDeleteYes, sometimes I just can't run anymore. Usually by 3 or 4 miles, I can tell if the run is going to be successful or not. If I am having difficulties, I would bargain with myself, One more mile, run to the next stop sign... etc.
I'm happy your hip is better! You are so smart for ditching the last few miles. Sometimes it's just better to let go and stay healthy instead of completing the mileage. Perhaps all of the issues you mentioned above we're the culprits for the crummy run. I'm sure the next run will be 100x better :)
ReplyDelete