Recipe for a bad run (Read 851 times)

Don't fret - it took me two weeks after my HM to put together a decent run... and even though I was bummed about it at the time, I didn't lose as much fitness as I feared. Go slower, go less far and - if need be - don't go at all for a few days. It'll come back.

Yeah...and this wasn't really a vacation, either. We were visiting my FIL, who is dying of advanced liver cancer (he first had bladder cancer about 12 years ago and has been fighting a variety of recurrent cancers ever since...chemo has kept him with us ever since the disease spread to his liver a few years back). I think all the negative factors are just coming together to make my runs less stress-relieving than I had hoped. I think part of me feels that I HAVE to run--for my FIL. He once ran the Chicago Marathon...someday I hope to run it, partly for my own personal achievement, but also in his honor. His only child is a cyclist and no longer has any interest in running (even though he ran cross-country in college...which is funny, as he is 6'2" and built more like a decathlete or football player), so as his DIL I am the one to pick up that running torch (my MIL also runs and still does a 9:30 pace "easy" 4 mile run several times/week...at almost 62). The next few weeks will be so tough. Running has been a great stress reliever for me, but now that my runs have been not-so-nice in the past week I'm hoping that I can find some other healthy way to keep my mind occupied. Then that stupid self-doubt starts creeping in, even though I know it's circumstances that are making for my poor runs of late, not anything I am doing wrong. I've got a brand new kickboxing DVD...hopefully doing that tomorrow AM will be a good emotional/stress outlet until my body is more ready to run. At least if it's not I only have to move a couple of feet in any direction to land on the sofa. k

From my side, every run I had after my HM hurt in one joint or another until I took my pace waaaaayy back down for a long run. Everything's been fine since then.

Come to think of it...my hip flexor issues started shortly after my miserable 10 mile race. I'm planning to do my first post-HM long run this weekend (probably in the neighborhood of 11 miles)...I definitely plan to take it VERY slow (not like I have a choice at the rate I've been going, LOL). k

Heck, I'm even thinking of just walking my next "long run." Walking feels great...as soon as I even pick up to a gentle jog everything feels achey, stiff, and clumsy. k

good job on getting back out and running...quality will go back up..the important thing is that you went out and ran and know your limits.... i did an 8 mile race few months back...before you know it 3 months have passed before i ran again.. here's another recipe for a bad run... 1. Bad ankle. 2. Lingering cold. 3. One full week of lost training the result...huffing and puffing on a 3 miler today, snot pouring out...not attractive at all (there were lots of ladies running, preparing for the marathon)...5 weeks before the marathon..assuming no relapse on the cold front, 5 miler attempt tomorrow. Aloha, steve

Heck, I'm even thinking of just walking my next "long run." Walking feels great...as soon as I even pick up to a gentle jog everything feels achey, stiff, and clumsy. k

Oh and also, I agree with Wingz. If it feels ok to walk then do. Sometimes if i'm feeling it I go for a walk in my running kit and if I end up wanting to run I run. The point is that psychologically there is no pressure. A nice walk in the woods is a lovely idea. Oh and also, if you've done a HM then i'm sure you're fully capable of a full marathon-yippee for you!

I am going through some very stressful times also and I noticed a big drop in my endurance. It also seems I get injured easier. I just treat my runs as a way to clear my mind and if in the process I forget my worries and still keep in shape then I have achieved my goal. Keep running fast or slow but keep doing it just to keep sane. SKB