The best way to deal with a bad run

When something goes wrong during training – watch and learn from it. It is an important part of the process.

Instead of getting upset about yourself or about circumstances that made running more difficult, do these three things to learn from running hard. These tips come in handy on your running gear belt in any situation you want to avoid or run faster next time.

Being clear “bad running” is relative. Every runner is different. So, you might think that a bad run is when you hit a wall and can’t finish your long run. Or it could be a situation where you overdress for a run and end up overheating. Basically, anything you consider can be an obstacle to achieving your best self.

Reversals while running can be anything including but not limited to…

Possible scenarios contributing to a “bad training run”:

space hijack
rescue pigeons
blister boom
Calendar conflict
cramps
fueling failure
gear goes wrong
disorientation
hit the wall
mental breakdown
pain or discomfort
technology fails
Weather WTV
zap zone

Teachable Moment – Learn how to eat, drink, sleep, run and dress appropriately for your race. And training is done when you’re trying to get out of all the “speed bumps” aka anything that stops or slows you down. Some speed bumps will slow you down, sometimes you’ll have to stop for a minute and other times you can learn how to avoid them all together. But the point is – this is the opportunity to learn from difficult exercises or challenges while running.
Observe without judgment or emotion – Observe the situation like a student studying a runner in the wilderness. Leave judgment and emotions out. You just have to record the facts for this task.
Move forward with a plan. Decide – what can you do to prevent it? What can you do next time in this situation? What do you control the situation? Hopefully it won’t happen again, but if it does, you’ll be ready with a plan! Feeling empowered to take on any challenge will help you run with more confidence and ultimately perform better.

Running tip: Make sure to use the Run Log right after your run so you have the details to come back to later.

We tend to forget details very quickly! But these details are important to help you get to know your body and your training. Try to be as descriptive as possible after each training session. You don’t have to solve any issues right away, but you’ll have great notes available to take care of after you’ve stretched and refueled.

The more knowledge and experience you have, the better, stronger and faster you can run!