In a sense those great runs are like the golden children while the not-so-great runs get shoved aside like runts of the litter. But today I’d like to honor those shitty runs because they really do help make us stronger. I’m thankful for each and everyone of them.
And of course, I’m drawing on reality here because I’ve had a few butt kickers this week and after each one I think, “I did it!” And it truly helps me get some confidence boosting that I need before a big race. SEE: Miami Marathon.
On Tuesday’s pace run I felt awful. I had the PC’s (poopy cramps) and I was tired. I had to run 7 miles at race pace with a mile warm up and a mile cool down. I almost didn’t even do the pace run but I kept telling myself that I’ll look back on my training and either be proud of the work I put in or I’ll be upset that I didn’t push myself through these tough days. As soon as my Garmin beeped for that first mile I picked it up and made it to the two and half mile mark, all the while praying for an open bathroom. Fortunately, I just so happened to come across a rec center I’d never seen before and it was open. Hallelujah! I managed to gut out the rest of that run and let’s just say my cool down mile was very cool. I may have been passed by an actual turtle. But I got it done and I thank that run for showing me that I can get through those low points.
As another example, this morning’s medium long run was also tough. I stupidly scheduled myself into a corner and had no choice but to run it this morning since I have dinner plans tonight after work. Let me point out that scheduling an eight miler after a serious track work out isn’t the smartest idea I’ve ever had. The track work included three intervals: 1,200 then 2,800 then 1,200 again. Holy crap.
Thus this AM when I got to mile four I was feeling it. Even though I had great company on this run I had to ask for a water break at mile five and was seriously considering throwing in the towel. But at that water stop I again asked myself about my training and how I’d feel if I quit this run. (It also helped that said running buddy started humming the theme from Rocky.) You know how this story ends. I finished the run and stayed within my target pace. Thank you sucky suck run!
Today I’m thankful for runs that suck. I’m thankful for those difficult runs that you just gut through and feel even more awesome for having finished them.
What are you thankful for today?
AMEN!!!!! Because those sucky ones make the good ones that much sweeter! You rock!!!
It is so hard to appreciate those sucky runs. I almost threw in the towel this morning because of how cold it was. And I almost give in to calling it quits on my 16-miler because of the PCs. But you are totally right every time I make it through one of those crappy runs I later think if I made it through that one there is no reason I can make it through another one. Thanks for the reminder of showing appreciation for those runs that suck!
I am a huge fan of the sucky suck run because I can curse to my heart's delight and know that nobody will mind b/c it was a sucky suck run.
So for that I'm thankful too!
Thankful for cooler weather to work out in!!
I've had my share also, so I'll be packaging them up and shipping them to you. Thank you for taking them off my hands…..
the bad runs make the good days better. amen.
Thanks for the reminder… I will keep this in mind on my run to come tomorrow 🙂
Great lesson! Thanks for sharing and inspiring us to push through!
It took me about a year to realize that the runs you feel awful for are worth something (maybe more than your good ones). If you manage to push through them, they're always wonderful practice for running into (and through) those walls at the races you actually paid for.
Before then, when I was having a really bad day, sometimes I'd just say "screw it" and quit if I felt bad or wasn't going to hit some desired pace.
Amen! That's an important and somewhat difficult concept to grasp. It's the difficulties that make us stronger. *snaps*
Heck yes, girl! Thank goodness for those sucky days. They definitely DO make us stronger! Way to hang in there and gut it out!
Way to gut it out!!
Yep, the sucky runs make me more thankful when I actually have a good run! Way to push through!