ok I am discouraged… training had been going well, but my running needs some work. I had a great week. Didn’t sleep much last night and waited until 3pm to go do my long run. I get outside, it’s hot and humid. crazy. (like hawaii is not going to be like this). I run with a friend for 30 min. easy pace. HR thru the roof. he leaves, I run another 10min and start walking. No will power, no mental strenght, I walk. “just another block” i tell myself. and walked all the way back. 2:36… I am really bumped out about this and about being such a slacker. I guess i just needed to share… am I the only one that gets like this? come on, tell me your story.
Hot and Humid kill me, too. As the weather cools you’ll be fine.
I don’t think anything shoots my heart rate through the roof quicker than hot and humid, and when you add in not much sleep, you’re going to hurt. Don’t get discouraged. Make sure you get better sleep and pick a better time to do your next long run, and I’ll bet you feel much better.
thanks… I’ll go to bed early tonight.
Also remember that if you train in it, youll race better in it. As my ol’ high school coach puts it “its all goin into the bank” come raceday youll be cashin it out
I am sure that you just had one bad day - everyone does. I have more bad days running that good and just last week I went on what was supposed to be an hour run, totally bonked maybe 30 mins into it, had to walk back home, was late to work and pissed off. It happens to everyone - and IMO: I think that anyone in IM shape cannot possibly be a slacker. You had one bad day; shake it off and kick some ass tomorrow!
S-
I once got a great tip from Gordo about running in high heat and humidity.
He recommended eating a full meal 3 hrs before a run session like you just had.
He used to live in Hong Kong while he was into Ultra-Running, and the temps there can get pretty hot.
At least for me having a decent meal worked.
Keeps your HR low, you don’t sweat as much,and it feels like just another long run.
Take in some salty foods during your meal,especially soup.
I had chipotle 3 hours before. thanks for the tips. some other “friend” just prefers to blame my coach and that pisses me off. Like it’s his fault that I went to bed late and felt sluggish. support here is great.
Marisol,
I have a slightly different perspective to share. In 2002 I was sidelined from running due to chronic bilateral IT Band Syndrome. It really was life changing time for me. Somehow or another, I still managed to race at IMWI that year mostly by training the hell out of my bike so that I could mostly walk the marathon. I had many PT experiences on my road to getting over the IT Band problems. Unfortunately, I had as many setbacks, and no matter how conservative my method was of getting back to running I would have a relapse. I actually ended up spiralling into a depression over this that forced me to seek counseling and medication from a Shrink (there were other issues too, so suffice it to say that running was/is one of my main stress relievers and it wasn’t there at the time). In July of 2004, I began treatment at an ART certified Chiropractor and that was the ticket. Within a couple of weeks I was running 5 miles and in October I was able to run a 1/2 marathon. Since last July, I have not regretted one single run that I have done. I love every step that I take. I live in Michigan so we are prone to seasonal weather extremes. And you know what? I take advantage of them and run through them all. The wilting heat and humidity this summer, the freakish late Spring snow/sleet/hail storms we had…I was out there, and loved it. One of my favorite runs that I brought back for myself, was the early morning January 1 run. By early I mean 4:30 AM. Being a fireman, I often work on the first, so I try to get up early and run before work most days. What a time. This year it was unusual because it was like 55 degrees!!
Anyhow, I guess what I am trying to say, is that personally I take no run for granted. I don’t think that my little story will necessarily inspire you, but maybe to help you realize that there is an ebb and flow to these things. Maybe you need to change it up a little. See if you can find one of these people who run with a prosthetic and train with them for a day. Find a friend or family member who is a non-runner and try getting them out on a trail. I have been feeling similar to you about my bike. I just have not wanted to get on that thing. My solution was to get the mountain bike out and go riding with my son.
Good luck, Marisol,
Bernie
I frequently have trouble on runs at that time of day when the weather is warm. I have chosen to wait until the sun goes down and run then. It is working much better for me. Just make sure you can see and don’t roll your ankle like me. It is just a bad day and no indication of your future performance.
Sorry I never hooked up at your office, I was under a huge time crunch this weekend with my sister’s wedding this weekend. The swelling is much better now. My foot is a nice shade of yellow, green and purple.
loong runs are much more fun done first thing in the morning 
.
in your heat, try wearing a jogbra and then over that wear a cotton t-shirt totally soaked with cold water, preferrably very cold water. try that for a few miles and your willpower will miraculously return.
if ya gotta do a longer run, make sure that every few miles or so, your run route passes by some kind of retail business, library, or office, or whatever with a bathroom or water faucet. then remove your t-shirt, re-soak with cold water and continue merrily on your way…
thanks… I think it’s the lack of sleep that did it. I guess i can’t go to bed at 3am and expect a good run. shame on me for having a social life. lesson learned I think. Tough to fit it all in. I am usually really good.
You are having a rippin’ year to date. You have established deep fitness and proved you can run through discomfort. I think the answer to your run has less to do with fitness and/or fatigue and almost everything to do with fueling, hydration and electrolyte supplementation. My experience is that when athletes take a harder look at this type of running experience there will be evidence during the week of attempts to lean out or inadvertant calorie depletion near the key workout.
Hey Marisol,
Some where in all your awesome training you need to make time for “LIFE”. Yes, you had a bad run today but think back to all the amazing swim, bike, and runs you’ve had in the past - and you will continue to have in the future. You’re human, and things don’t always go as we would like. Smile and be glad that you’re as fit as you are, and know that sooner or later another awesome work out day will arrive.
Sure.
I got all prepped for my longist run last Thursday. Made it one block, turned around and walked home. Just wasn’t feeling the love/felt like a shit. Ended up taking that night off…along with Friday. Managed to have a nice Olympic race yesterday and a 108 mile ride today. I needed the rest…as I had a hard ride on Wed.
Don’t think so much. Listen to your body!
If you weren’t overtrained…perhaps go back and think about what you ate or something (love life?) that might have been bothering you.
Balance!
You’re better than me. I didn’t even make it out the door. I did go see Must Love Dogs, which was very cute. I’ll be back out on the road tomorrow morning and so will you.
sooo…what were you doing so late last night that you did not get much sleep. hhmmmm?
oh, yeah and all my runs are perfect…every time.
Did the same thing today on what was supposed to be my biggest run of the week. You can’t set a PR every day, and every session won’t be your best either.