I love that running constantly teaches you things. Or more, reminds you of things.
I had a pretty blatant reminder of something that is so simple but that I too often forget during the past two days of running. No two runs ever go the same. Sometimes the runs that you think will be the best end up being the hardest.
Monday after two days of rest (I ended up taking another rest day Sunday due to my schedule) I hopped back on the treadmill to run.
I had originally planned on running outside, but after being out there for a while and realizing the wind was brutal I opted to take it to the gym.
I ended up doing just over 5 miles. The last mile I threw in a “one minute on, one minute off” just to see how I was doing. It went amazing. I felt like I could have run forever.
This was the first run since starting back that I felt like my old self.
Just a few thoughts on Monday’s run:
- It felt effortless
- I was able to lose myself in the run. Even on a treadmill.
- Feeling that I was back to my old self.
- My body felt strong.
- No stomach issues that sometimes haunt me.
- I felt hope.
I had been looking forward to Tuesday since last week. The weather was supposed to be in the mid-40’s and I knew that meant I would be able to get a run in outside.
I had already planned a shorter but easier run so that I could really relax and enjoy the beautiful temperatures.
I had to babysit early this morning and once I got home I got dressed and headed out on the open road. I was beyond excited, that was until I started running.
A few thoughts on Tuesday’s run:
- My legs felt like lead.
- I had no energy and dragged pretty much the entire run.
- I kept getting nauseous.
- I had to stop at the 2 mile turn around and rest.
- I just wanted it to end.
I was so thankful to be out in the beautiful weather running, but my body just was not having it.
Running once again reminded me that you never know what the day is going to hold. In a lot of ways, it’s exactly the same as the marathon itself.
Running a race is just like training. You never know what kind of day you are going to have. Some times you can fuel properly, warm up, stretch, and have everything on point and still have a bad race. There is always a part of mystery in running and racing, and in a way I think that is what draws me to it. It’s exciting, it’s rewarding and when you do have those good days there is nothing better.
How have your runs gone so far this week?
Have you ever had a race go really poorly even though you did everything right?
So True! That is the beauty/horror of running.. nothing is every guaranteed! A run can feel great one day and impossible the next, it is what makes us runners so tough! But, those bad days make us a better runner in the end. For some crazy reason we still keep running even after those “lead leg” days! Glad your 5 miler felt great though something to celebrate there!
I had my 16 mile run Sunday and 5 miles Tuesday! Tuesday my legs felt like lead but I pushed through for a 8:26 average. But I have days where 10 minute miles feel hard- I feel you!
So true Katie! I always tell myself “This bad day will make tomorrow’s great day better” – hopefully that is true today! I did enjoy being out in the weather yesterday. Running can be so amazing and so tough at the same time – that’s why I love it SO much! 🙂
Every run can be different! I HATE when my legs feel like dead and I feel like my “normal pace” is too fast. I love how I can go out for a run in the next day or two and feel completely different and amazing!
Yes that is what I am hoping happens today Lauren! Fingers crossed! 🙂
Once, I started a long run feeling under the weather. I wanted to cut the run short, but I started feeling a LOT better, and ended up going even FURTHER than I planned. At the end of the run, I was feeling amazing! Weird how that works, huh?
That has happened to me before as well. Sometimes you just have to get through those first couple miles to really get into a run!
I started a run on the treadmill last night and gave up after a mile. I just can’t push myself on it anymore. So instead, I bundled up and finished 2 miles outside in the 25 degree weather, feeling 100% better than I did on the treadmill. I don’t understand how that works!
Sometimes we just need a change up! I was shocked my run inside on the treadmill went better than outside this week. Who knows! 🙂
Usually, it takes me like 4 miles to really warm up, and some days, if the run is shorter than 4 miles, I never get there! Let me tell you what, at the half on Sunday, which went awesome, I totally had a great race but like 9 miles in my stomach started hurting so bad and I TOTALLY had to mind over matter my tummy! I have got to get my tummy under control!
Maybe that is what happened to me. It definitely takes me over 2 miles to really ever get into a run. I have stomach problems off and on too – it’s tough!
My runs have gone ok this week. It has been crazy windy here (25-35 mph). So that is always hard to handle. I’m with you on the “uncertainty” of what you are going to get with running. It keeps me coming back for more. However frustrating it is. Thanks for being so open about this…..not that I like to hear you had a bad run but it is always good to hear it happens to others. 🙂
Haha I completely understand 🙂 It’s nice to hear your not the only one every once in a while. It has been crazy windy here as well that’s why I was inside Monday and today!
OK, I am going to be the ‘worry wart’ here. I was definitely a voice of concern last year after you lost your job, and I worry about you again. In spite of your ‘ultimate guide’, I am concerned you are not being patient, and perhaps this ‘bad run’ is a sign from your body?
I am concerned because of the ‘10% rule’ – sure it isn’t absolute, but I look at the last few weeks:
– 11 miles
– 18 miles
– so far Sun-Tues >12 miles …
Not trying to be a PITA … but I would hate to see you re-injure again due to getting over-zealous running as the weather turns beautiful – or at least spring-like 😉
I hope I am totally wrong and this WAS just a crappy run and you will keep slowly coming and progressing …
Thanks for the concern 🙂 I do appreciate it! I’m still taking it slow and usually end up taking 2-3 days off a week completely, which never happened before and was always cross training on my days off.
I go off how my body feels. Not sure what I am really doing one day to the next at this point. when I first started back after injury I actually did a bit more than I am now but slowly working my way back up.
I ran again today and just felt much better. The fact that the course yesterday had some crazy hills probably had something to do with it. Either way just seeing how things go from one day to the next. I’ve gotten over my fear of rest days and use lots of them now when I need it or when my schedule is too busy.
Oh, and Sunday I didn’t run 3 miles. I wrote the post before I had actually done it as that was the plan. I woke up wasn’t feeling it so I took another rest day. So I’ve only run M, T, W this week. Need to edit my weekly recap! 🙂
Awesome … and now I remember you DID mention taking the rest day. Also great on the run today – sorry to be a nag, but I think all of your readers who have seen you have a rather rough and tumultuous last 7-8 months would hate to see another setback … well, can’t speak for them, but all I want for everyone is the ability to get out and run if that is what they choose. 🙂
I know exactly what you mean…some days running just doesn’t feel as good. But it does make me appreciate the awesome runs! This week my runs have been ok…nothing too great but not terrible either. Hoping to have one of those great runs soon!
Yes, this happens to me. In fact, last Friday during my swim I felt like my breathing was just off and that never happens when I swim. Then I was so looking forward to an early morning run on Saturday and again, never really got my breathing that well. I woke up Sunday with a bit of a cold so I think that was it! I have had 2 runs this week and they went much better! You really just never know what you are going to get til you get out there. I guess that is another thing that makes running fun, right?!?
Thank you for another great post.
Yes that is for sure part of what makes running fun to me! You never know what is going to happen.
Thank you Susan! 🙂 Thanks for reading!
This has frequently happened to me. I used to watch movies at the cardio cinema at my gym and run no problem for like 9 miles. Then there are the days I will go in and can’t believe how slow time is going. Even when I run outside sometimes (which I love) it takes me 2 or 3 miles to FINALLY get in the running groove. For the days when they are great I try and think about what I did that might have impacted them.