The Running Thread - 2016

[ZellyB]

QOTD: You put in the miles and train hard for a race, and on race day things did not go as planned. Everyone has a off day and unfortunately it happened on race day. What is your response to having a bad run/race?

ATTQOTD: Most of the time I've had a bad race, it's been because I've been fighting an injury, so I mostly anticipated it wouldn't be great. Regardless of that, I have a bad tendency to initially beat myself up about it and sort of let it spoil the accomplishment. But, usually within a day or two, I get some perspective and appreciate what I did and find the good in the effort. I tend to do this to myself on bad training runs too (you know, those days that just don't go as planned), but I'm trying to do better about giving myself a break.

 

[Chaitali]

QOTD: You put in the miles and train hard for a race, and on race day things did not go as planned. Everyone has a off day and unfortunately it happened on race day. What is your response to having a bad run/race?

ATTQOTD: Immediately following the run its difficult to analyze why things turned out the way they did. I find the most important thing to do first is to try to stay positive and enjoy the fact you just finished a race. I'll give it 24 hours before I try to pinpoint what exactly happened, and then turn the negative experience into a learning one. Usually those bad runs/races turn into motivation moving forward to not make those mistakes made in the past and to be prepared better for the next one. Yet, I also realize that some times things are out of my control. The things out of your control are often the most difficult to digest and are also the ones most difficult to get over. It may take a little longer to realize it and is often very discouraging because you executed your training perfectly. I find I look for the "what did I do wrong", and sometimes it wasn't anything I did. The next best thing to do, is to just get back out there and keep running, as well as learning from past experiences.

That's a great way to look at it. I had a couple unseasonably warm races last Spring/Summer and it was hard to keep perspective during the race and immediately afterward. But I try to analyze it afterward, like you said, to see what I could have done differently. And if the answer is nothing, then I try to move on and just keep in mind the reasons I enjoy running/racing. I had a horrible 10k last April due to weather and I wore that race shirt for a Fall 10k where I got a shiny new PR. Redemption!

 

[opusone]

QOTD: You put in the miles and train hard for a race, and on race day things did not go as planned. Everyone has a off day and unfortunately it happened on race day. What is your response to having a bad run/race?

I've been doing races (running and/or triathlon) for quite a while (>25 years), and bad days just don't really bother me anymore. They are just a part of any athletics... you have good days and bad days. Also, there are an unlimited amount of races, so you just plan your next one, and hopefully the next will be on a good day. That being said, you should always analyze why you had a bad day to try to minimize the number of and/or frequency of bad days in the future.

If I realize that I am having a bad day early on in a race, then I try to change my goals... either slow it down and make it a fun/training run (to save my race effort for another day), focus on encouraging others, or sometimes gut it out which can actually be very satisfying to finish as well as possible on a tough day.

 

[surfde22]

QOTD: You put in the miles and train hard for a race, and on race day things did not go as planned. Everyone has a off day and unfortunately it happened on race day. What is your response to having a bad run/race?

I get mad at myself. I'm a very competitive person, and even though I'm not in competition to win anything when I race I get mad when I don't perform as I know I should. My wife becomes my sounding board and almost always gets sick of be complaining about it, but she's learned to accept it, I think. I try to look back and reflect on what may have gone wrong, but that doesn't always happen, and rarely makes my mood much better.

 

[pclvnmcky88]

I had a TERRIBLE run the Tuesday before Glass Slipper last week. It really affected my mindset, I am really hard on myself when I have bad runs, especially right before race weekend. On top of that, the day after the run I lost my voice so I skipped my last training run on Thursday. Unfortunately, I had to go down to race weekend and run with whatever type of laryngitis I had (and still have). Even with this, I ran my best 10k race ever and I did well at the half. In the end I was very happy I missed that last training run because if it had been as bad as Tuesday it would've affected my mindset during the race.

 

[Miranda]

QOTD: I haven't really had to deal with analyzing a bad race, yet, although I'm sure I will soon enough. Last year was my first year back running races in 20+ years (since my last cross country season in HS). I did 6 5K, 2 10K, 1 5M, 3 HM, and one W&D. I lowered my times in every race all year, which I was certainly happy to keep doing, but it was not entirely unexpected since I was just getting back into running. I know that's not going to happen this year.

 

[Barca33Runner]

QOTD: You put in the miles and train hard for a race, and on race day things did not go as planned. Everyone has a off day and unfortunately it happened on race day. What is your response to having a bad run/race?

I've never not finished a race; so I've never had to deal with what is, I guess, the ultimate disappointment. I still can't explain or rationalize from day to day why one run feels really good and the next feels so awful. I guess I am pretty pragmatic about my race results. I know there will always be another race and my training is getting me to where I want to be physically regardless of the results of one race. It may be easier for me to deal with a bad race because the races have never been the end goal for my running.

 

[RunDisneyDad]

ATTQOTD: If my bad day is related to something out of my control (like the humidity/weather the day of the DW Marathon) I feel disappointed, but accept it. If its something related to my training or pacing I try and be honest with myself and learn from it. The other thing that helps me is perspective, I do this for fun and because I love it so I know I will eventually get over a bad day.

 

[DopeyBadger]

I've been doing races (running and/or triathlon) for quite a while (>25 years), and bad days just don't really bother me anymore. They are just a part of any athletics... you have good days and bad days. Also, there are an unlimited amount of races, so you just plan your next one, and hopefully the next will be on a good day. That being said, you should always analyze why you had a bad day to try to minimize the number of and/or frequency of bad days in the future.

If I realize that I am having a bad day early on in a race, then I try to change my goals... either slow it down and make it a fun/training run (to save my race effort for another day), focus on encouraging others, or sometimes gut it out which can actually be very satisfying to finish as well as possible on a tough day.

Can't say it much better myself. Bad days used to bother me (a lot, and they'd linger). My wife asked me one time after a race if I actually like racing because I was always in such a negative mood after finishing. Always complaining about one thing or another, not reaching my lofty goals, just overall disappointed continuously for hours/days afterwards. But now, I just try to use the mindset of giving my best each time out and my relative best is better on different days. Running without any internal pressure to reach some milestone/goal has really allowed me to enjoy the races more and in turn race faster.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

QOTD: You put in the miles and train hard for a race, and on race day things did not go as planned. Everyone has a off day and unfortunately it happened on race day. What is your response to having a bad run/race?

Bad run - totally blow it off. Really, I don't care one bit if I have a bad run.

Bad race - depends on how bad, and why. If I have a "kinda" bad race in which I just peaked at the wrong time or just wasn't at my best, I really don't care. I am not disappointed or concerned. If I have a really bad race - death march finish kinda race - I am more disappointed and start looking for where my training plan or lifestyle choices let me down. This is where I can really get down on myself if I am not careful.

 

[Diskidatheart]

QOTD: You put in the miles and train hard for a race, and on race day things did not go as planned. Everyone has a off day and unfortunately it happened on race day. What is your response to having a bad run/race?

ATTQOTD: Immediately following the run its difficult to analyze why things turned out the way they did. I find the most important thing to do first is to try to stay positive and enjoy the fact you just finished a race. I'll give it 24 hours before I try to pinpoint what exactly happened, and then turn the negative experience into a learning one. Usually those bad runs/races turn into motivation moving forward to not make those mistakes made in the past and to be prepared better for the next one. Yet, I also realize that some times things are out of my control. The things out of your control are often the most difficult to digest and are also the ones most difficult to get over. It may take a little longer to realize it and is often very discouraging because you executed your training perfectly. I find I look for the "what did I do wrong", and sometimes it wasn't anything I did. The next best thing to do, is to just get back out there and keep running, as well as learning from past experiences.

Great question. I actually have two races that this hits home with. My 2nd half marathon was in Maui. We started at the Iao Needle and ran into Kihei (if you've never been there, the race started about 2,000 feet above sea level and finished at sea level). As an inexperienced runner, I figured going all downhill for the first three miles, I could just run as fast as I could. Lesson learned around mile 8. I was shooting for a sub 2 hour half. I ran the first 3 miles in 22 minutes (a little over a 7 minute mile). Around mile 8 I was walking and running the rest of the race. I did finish at 1:58, but I really learned my lesson that you cannot run full speed going downhill...just because it is downhill. I didn't beat myself up over it, I just took it as a lesson learned.

My second issue was last year's Pittsburgh Marathon. I was really shooting for a 3:40 minute marathon. I was on pace through the first 17 miles as I was running with a pace group and I was feeling great. I knew once I got to mile 20 or so, the mind games would begin, but I was still a few miles away from that point. Then all of a sudden, my legs started to cramp up and I had to walk. I kept trying to run and I could when I slowed my pace down, but that was only short-lived...as I had to continue walking. The last 9 miles absolutely were terrible for me as I would continue to walk until the cramps went away and then I would continue to run until the cramps began again. When I crossed the finish line at 4:07, I was so upset at the results. I beat myself up over it for weeks. So many people had difficulty with that race because all winter/spring we had trained in frigid cold weather and then on race day, the temps crept up to the 70's. It took quite awhile to get over that one, but then it finally hit me that there are so many people out there that also struggled with the heat, so many people out there that would kill for a 4:07 marathon, and that you really can't control what Mother Nature provides you. I've really adjusted my goals now and rather than running races with a set time goal, I am really running them for the enjoyment of the event. My goals will be to run half marathons under 2 hours and full marathons under 4 hours, but if I don't and I enjoy the experience, then I'm OK with that.

 

[rteetz]

QOTD: You put in the miles and train hard for a race, and on race day things did not go as planned. Everyone has a off day and unfortunately it happened on race day. What is your response to having a bad run/race?

Honestly I can't say what my response would be because I have only done three races and all three were Disney. I think though when i do end up having a bad race I would probably be sad or discouraged but would take a little time off before getting back into it to recover. I think it also depends on what caused that bad race whether it was injury, weather, or the people at the race. If it was weather I can't control that. if it is injury I will need to recover from that as best I can. If its the people at the race then maybe I don't run that race again.

 

[Chaitali]

These posts remind me of a great blog post I read once about setting goals for races. It is about marathons but I felt like it applied to all races. It talked about having multiple time goals (to account for external factors like weather, crowds, etc.) as well as qualitative goals which aren't about time but more about the experience. I found it really helpful. This line especially spoke to me.

"When you reach the marathon–or anything that might be your marathon–you have to prepare yourself for the possibility that absolutely everything might go wrong. Obviously I hope otherwise, but if it does, you have to learn to be HAPPY (yup, I said Happy!!) and PROUD of yourself, as long as you have made smart decisions."

http://suzlyfe.com/successful-goal-setting-first-marathon-life/

 

[roxymama]

QOTD: You put in the miles and train hard for a race, and on race day things did not go as planned. Everyone has a off day and unfortunately it happened on race day. What is your response to having a bad run/race?

The only thing that I have ever gotten pretty upset with myself about is if I have started walking when I really didn't need to. And that was more of an issue when I was first starting as I would mentally hold myself back quite a bit for unknown reasons.
The other thing that will get to me is if I'm running a PR pace and the course is long (or I ran it long)...nothing worse than hearing a PR over my gps update and still see I am nowhere near crossing that finish line.
I don't really get too upset for long. I just sign up for more races to try again (like many people have already said.)

 

[CheapRunnerMike]

Great question. I actually have two races that this hits home with. My 2nd half marathon was in Maui. We started at the Iao Needle and ran into Kihei (if you've never been there, the race started about 2,000 feet above sea level and finished at sea level). As an inexperienced runner, I figured going all downhill for the first three miles, I could just run as fast as I could. Lesson learned around mile 8. I was shooting for a sub 2 hour half. I ran the first 3 miles in 22 minutes (a little over a 7 minute mile). Around mile 8 I was walking and running the rest of the race. I did finish at 1:58, but I really learned my lesson that you cannot run full speed going downhill...just because it is downhill. I didn't beat myself up over it, I just took it as a lesson learned.

My second issue was last year's Pittsburgh Marathon. I was really shooting for a 3:40 minute marathon. I was on pace through the first 17 miles as I was running with a pace group and I was feeling great. I knew once I got to mile 20 or so, the mind games would begin, but I was still a few miles away from that point. Then all of a sudden, my legs started to cramp up and I had to walk. I kept trying to run and I could when I slowed my pace down, but that was only short-lived...as I had to continue walking. The last 9 miles absolutely were terrible for me as I would continue to walk until the cramps went away and then I would continue to run until the cramps began again. When I crossed the finish line at 4:07, I was so upset at the results. I beat myself up over it for weeks. So many people had difficulty with that race because all winter/spring we had trained in frigid cold weather and then on race day, the temps crept up to the 70's. It took quite awhile to get over that one, but then it finally hit me that there are so many people out there that also struggled with the heat, so many people out there that would kill for a 4:07 marathon, and that you really can't control what Mother Nature provides you. I've really adjusted my goals now and rather than running races with a set time goal, I am really running them for the enjoyment of the event. My goals will be to run half marathons under 2 hours and full marathons under 4 hours, but if I don't and I enjoy the experience, then I'm OK with that.

I'm glad you were able to overcome and learn from these experiences...but no one is going to feel sorry for you racing in Maui!

 

[Diskidatheart]

I'm glad you were able to overcome and learn from these experiences...but no one is going to feel sorry for you racing in Maui!

LOL...I'm a one and done running any races in Hawaii...saving my racing funds for Disney.

 

[gjramsey]

ATTQOTD: I have learned to get over bad runs during training...they happen. Next run usually puts any doubts to rest. First longish run I had where I had a full bonk bothered me for several days. First run after that was amazingly quick, and shocked me somewhat

My only bad races have been during a full. 1st full, knee started hurting at mile 15, and walked/ran the rest of it. 2nd marathon was a hot humid mess. Start cramping at mile 15 and never really recovered. 3rd was also a warm humid mess (much like DW marathon in Jan), ran with pace group for the first 15 miles, dropped back a little bit, and mind games killed me at mile 17 (when I swore to myself it had to be 19 at the point). I really need a full to have nice cool dry weather.

Mainly, for a full, I have learned more about fueling and salt and carb intake than I ever thought I needed to know.

 

[Keels]

Good morning folks! Let me start off by wishing the best of luck to @Keels @NurseRunner , and @Baloo in MI on your upcoming races this weekend. How is the forecast looking for yalls race? Are you ready for the distance you are running? If you would like to adjust your goal let me know! @Keels your race budget is impressive!

Thanks! Really looking forward to this one - it's our big race weekend here in my city. I volunteer all year raising money and helping with the C.A.L.F. initiative (it gets brand new sneakers for kids in low-income schools) and we get to participate in the races as a "Thanks!" for our volunteer time. Looks like the weather is going to be beautiful! It's always such a great, spirited weekend in FW when the Cowtown rolls around. Also, after I finish this race, I'll be submitting my registration for Half Fanatics membership - so I'm SUPER excited about that. AND @mbwhitti is coming in for the weekend to run and hang out! Couldn't ask for much more!

QOTD: You put in the miles and train hard for a race, and on race day things did not go as planned. Everyone has a off day and unfortunately it happened on race day. What is your response to having a bad run/race?

Since I'm pretty much the only reason whether I have a good race or not, I mentally know where I'm at going to the race that morning. Because I have a pretty loaded race schedule right now, if I'm not feeling a race or I just don't feel like I'm going to be able to accomplish whatever goals I've set forth for myself on that day (which, lately, have not been a whole lot short of finishing), then I'll just bag it and go for putting in the miles and a strong finish.

I've also learned that if it's cold, I shouldn't even bother unless I've traveled somewhere. A cold, local race with a registration fee under $50? I'm just going to eat that fee and instead put the miles in at home. I know that seems like a quitters way out, but I've done two freezing races here at home and it's just not worth it to me. I'm miserable. I feel miserable. I don't want to be there. I don't do well in general when the temperature is under 40 - everything I've had surgery on just can't seem to adjust, no matter how many layers I wear, how much dynamic stretching or warming up I do, nothing. It's just not going to be good, or even fun for me.

I've also not really had a break from training leading up to Dopey and then Dopey and now post-Dopey, so I'm experiencing quite a bit of fatigue and a little bit of soreness in areas I hadn't previously. This weekend is really going to be a make-it or break-it weekend for me - if I come out of the half feeling strong and in good shape, everything goes forward as planned. But if I'm still having unexplained pain in a couple of places, I will likely shut it down for the month of March and take a cancellation (with a guaranteed entry for 2017) for the NYC Half. That's like next-to-worst case scenario - but it's still better than the worst-case scenario, which is a popped fusion in my midfoot, surgery and a life on the bench going forward.

 

[SunDial]

QOTD: If you listen to music during your runs, what song will give you a little extra motivation?

I listen to Disney soundtracks of their parades, fireworks shows, castle projection shows, attractions, stage shows and so on from both coasts.

 

[Baloo in MI]

Good morning folks! Let me start off by wishing the best of luck to @Keels @NurseRunner , and @Baloo in MI on your upcoming races this weekend. How is the forecast looking for yalls race? Are you ready for the distance you are running? If you would like to adjust your goal let me know! @Keels your race budget is impressive!

QOTD: You put in the miles and train hard for a race, and on race day things did not go as planned. Everyone has a off day and unfortunately it happened on race day. What is your response to having a bad run/race?

First thanks for the best wishes for Sunday. I am going to need it; I have decided to drop my PR attempt. I have not put in the needed miles in the last few weeks and then this stomach flu this past weekend and early part of this week has left me not feeling 100%. Ok with it though, planning to run a good race and enjoy the cold morning. Weather report is no new snow and temps in the low 30's. So my new goal is going to be to 1:55ish. I will let my legs tell me what feels right.

ATTQOTD: This is the perfect description for this past Dopey for me. I stayed on my training plan religiously. I was ready, hit time goals in the first three races and felt ready to run a strong marathon and hit my Dopey time goal. The wheels came off in mile 8 and I experienced a struggle fest! I was very proud to complete the race and earn my first Dopey medal. But I really was frustrated. I questioned everything I did. Ultimately I have accepted that my time was not meant to be; and now I have the needed motivation to give it another go in 2017!