Last weekend I had a 22 km (13.67 miles) long run. Neil and I had plans to meet up with Kelly for part of our run, but they didn’t have to run nearly as long as I did. I started with them for the first 20 minutes, then continued on at my own pace for the remainder of the run.
The highlight of the run for me was taking my new Oiselle Flyte tank on its first run.
I decided to head up the big hill into Crescent Heights/McHugh Bluff, to add on some extra distance. The view of downtown Calgary from up there is so pretty!
Errr…but did I mention the hill?
Going up it wasn’t that bad, but somehow or other when I turned around to make my way back to my starting point that hill really got to me! Even the big downhill approaching the 10 mile mark wasn’t the reprieve I had hoped for. I started to get distracted. I found some delicious looking heirloom tomatoes.
And a bakery I had heard about but didn’t know exactly where it was.
If I didn’t have people waiting for me I probably would have stopped and grabbed a baguette. But my husband told me to keep going. And as you can see 23 minutes later I was letting him know I didn’t have much left to go and I really needed an ice cold Coke waiting for me at the end.
Luckily Neil told Kelly about my struggles so even though her run was done she ran out to meet me and keep me company on the last few minutes. It was so sweet of her and I really appreciated it! I’m normally a fan of trying to pull myself out of a bad run and fixing it on my own, but sometimes you just need a friend there to help you. I was a little disappointed with myself but there are bound to be ups and downs in a run that long. Maybe that hill was a bad idea on this particular day?
I’ll get another crack at a really long distance this coming weekend as I’ve got 24 km (15 miles) on the schedule. What tricks do you have to pull yourself out of a bad run?
As for the Flyte tank? I love it. Super lightweight with such a pretty pattern on it! It fits a bit looser so if you prefer a closer fit then size down.
Hey Leana,
We all have bad runs at some point. Just keep going (as you did that day) and just keep going with all your other training (as you are) and just keep going (by showing up for your next long run).
I think the bad solo runs get to me more than a bad group run because the bad gets in your head and gets stuck and just stays there… I had one early this year during marathon training where I got chilled in a windy snowstorm and dropped back to the half. Eventually I came back to my senses and carried on with renewed motivation. Give it some time. You’ll get your groove back. Don’t sweat it!
Maybe you need some company on your next long run! That looks like a nice route, I’d run it with you and help you kill it next time!
Oh, an reframing helps… Your Oiselle tank looks lovely and you are smiling at the end!!! So… it was a great run!?
We do all have bad runs or workouts. It unfortunately is part of training and my least favorite thing. Keep your chin up- you did FINISH the workout and next weekend’s long run will be a fresh start!
Everybody has tough runs sometimes. In fact, we need them, because we need to know what that feeling is if we get hit by it in a race. The important part is you did pull through. Nothing wrong with having a friend help with that. 🙂