How’s that for a title? This just about sums up the run I had on Saturday. It was my scheduled long run for the week, and I had high hopes going into this run because I took it easy on my runs all week leading up to Saturday. Things were fine the first mile or two, and then it just went downhill from there. Actually it went uphill..lots of uphill.
Always..
I was supposed to run 11 miles. Ok cool. Nothing I couldn’t handle after annihilating my 10miler a couple weeks prior. Well, my body had a different plan for the day. My run went a little something like this..
- Mile 1- Felt pretty good, Katy Perry’s song Roar made me feel like a boss.
- Mile 2-Feeling good still.
- Mile 2.5- HOLY CRAMP WHERE DID YOU COME FROM..OWWW
- Mile 3.48- Shit I am DEAD..how am I going to complete 11 miles today.
- Mile 3.5-STOPPED TO BREATHE
- Mile 5-STOPPED TO BREATHE
- Mile 6.5- STOPPED TO BREATHE
- Mile 7- STOPPED…FOR GOOD.
Around mile 3 I was already dead. Struggling, needing to stop, guzzling my water, and chewing my Shot Bloks like I hadn’t eaten in 5 days. I was suddenly very fatigued.
ALL THE CAKE!
I had to stop at least 3 times to breath and then I noticed a blister forming on the arch of my left foot. Awesome. After feeling like I couldn’t go on anymore, I called it at 7 miles. Ugh. Mentally this sucked. Come to find out it’s almost “that time” which not only explained the fatigue, but also explained why I wanted to cry for stopping.
Every time…
I was able to end my run on my favorite road and admire the farm land while I waited for my mom to come and pick me up. Mom to the rescue once again (number 6.)
I came home, got cleaned up, went for a walk, and ended my day with a drive through the mountains. I was bummed for not completing the scheduled 11 miles, but I let it go and accepted the 7 that I did accomplish..even if it was a struggle. Time to up my food intake!
View from my drive. I love where I live!
The very next day I checked my training schedule to find that I am a week behind..OMG WHAT!? That meant I needed to attempt this run again..so I did. I ate an entire loaf of bread and a giant potato the night before, and I ran/walk/hobbled 10.8 miles in just under 2 hours. Slowest run I’ve had in months..but I did it. My entire being is just “off” right now mentally/physically/and emotionally, but this too shall pass! Bring it on half marathon #3!
Q: What do you do when something doesn’t go according to plan?
Blissfulbritt 
58 thoughts on “Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Run”
Becky
I have the same problem running when my period is coming. It’s like slogging through mud!
Megan
Soooo many miles. When things don’t go according to plan I like to do cartwheels. Not only does the inversion swoosh all your blood and oxygen around like a merry go round people will be jealous of you cartwheeling on the running path / side of the street / wherever you are running and by receiving numerous high fives good karma will just surge through your wholeeee being. If you are feeling really adventurous you could try doing a hand stand and walking a little too. I hear that helps but my shoulders aren’t that strong.
Brittany
I wish I could walk on my hands..I would just run on my hands instead of my feet. HAHA. Thank boooooo, you da best and next time I feeling like poop I am totally doing a cartwheel..or five.
Alex @ therunwithin
these runs happen. my run this morning SUCKED BALLS and I know that i have to have those bad runs though to remind how good the other ones are. doesn’t make it easier in the moment though. at all.
Melissa (I Crashed the Web)
Feel better!! I can completely relate, the past two runs before my recent half were less than stellar and I’m beginning to think it’s somewhat mental now. We can do it–here’s to getting out of our running funks or whatever they are!!
Change of Pace
Sorry your had a tough one; I’m impressed you pushed yourself for seven miserable miles though! I think it’s more than normal to have bad runs and more than ok to call it quits when it just isn’t any fun. After all, that’s why you run right?
I definitely cut a workout short if I’m not feeling it. And sometimes I cry!
sincerelylily
ahhhh this totally happens to me all the time! you are blessed to have your mom able to rescue you! usually i just walk my tired butt home which takes like 829385 hours. k. perry’s ROAR makes me feel like a boss too. i wouldn’t get too down about this, it happens and you have had a REALLY great base leading up to this half – so i still think you are going to do fabulous!!!
and i can’t believe you live in such a mystical, pretty place. love the blue lake pic. seriously. too bad i can’t paint, b/c id move near you and paint scenery all day.
IM PROUD OF YOU FOR NOT CRYING!!! i cry, like, so easily lol i would have cried.
Brittany
Please move to Washington, it’s lovely here and I think you would look adorable in warm scarves and with an umbrella in your hand. However, those with umbrellas are usually not real “Washingtonians” so I wouldn’t let you carry one. I cry easily too…I think I was just so mad I couldn’t muster any tears haha!
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
As a non-runner, 7 miles sounds freaking epic to me; but I completely understand the frustration that comes with something not going according to plan. Sh*t happens, though, and we’ve gotta learn to take the bad with the good. After all, it’s those bad ones that really make the good ones stand out that much more, and it’s how we handle and recover from the bad ones that really matters.
carrie
i have totally been there with the whole planning to run farther and then just not being able to. kudos to you for stopping if it was that awful. i always stop if i’m not feeling it or if my body has aches and pains. you go girl!!
Angela @ Health's Angel
Gosh, I can SO relate to the whole “my entire being is off right now” thing. My workouts haven’t been as great lately and I’m just in that weird blahhh mental state. Such is life! This too shall pass…most definitely. And I’m sure you’ll be back to rocking those runs in no time. On the plus side, that view is gorgeous!!
kelly @ racesrepsramblings
Aww! I’m sorry about the bummer of a run, but kudos to you for getting out there and making something happen! That is something certainly worth celebrating!! You’ve got this!
Amy @ A Desert Girl
Ugh! Frustrating. But you handled it exactly right. I am proud of you for powering through the second time…and listening to your body the first time. You’re gonna own that half and appreciate it that much more because of the bad runs.
kathy @ vodka and soda
the fact that you even pushed 4.5miles with all that going on is great. i would have said “what, body? you want to quit? ok. let’s go home and sit on the couch”. yeah, that’s about right LOL.
when something doesn’t go according to plan, i let myself feel bummed but then squash it and work harder next time. before i left for vacay, the plan was to workout every day because i knew i wasn’t doing to do a damn thing in orlando but ended up pulling my neck 10mins into the workout! i was pretty much done for the rest of the week which really bummed me out. i knew there wasn’t anything i could do so i let myself enjoy the break and will now bust my ass when i get home. as an alternative, i’m continuing to eat clean – seriously, there are CHIPS AND JUNK EVERYWHERE UP IN HERE – but i’m sticking with my clean eating and snacking on boring shit like almonds etc.
so don’t be bummed! kick your run the next time!!
Her Happy Balance
It’s awesome that your mom was able to rescue you. I’m sorry the run didn’t go as planned, it happens, you just have to know that the next run will be better and it was 🙂 Also – a whole loaf of bread sounds like a dram come true.
kcriemer
bad runs make us appreciate the good ones but they sure suck at the time.
i had a bad run this morning. there’s a HUGE hill on campus (i compare it to mt kilimanjaro … maybe exaggerating a tad bit..) and the workout group i joined recently had us running it EIGHT times. lets just say i can tell i haven’t ran much since my knee injury and held back vom the eigth lap up 😦
keep on keeping on!
Brittany
OMG I would have for sure barfed annnddd I’ve been running regularly! Awesome job!
pickyrunner
We all have those crappy runs but they honestly and truly do make the good runs even better. Hang in there and that half will go just fine. You’ve had some really awesome runs lately so it was only a matter of time before your body just needed a break!
Rebecca@Running.Food.Baby.
I have dance parties and eat yummy foods when things don’t go to plan – which for me, happens quite a bit.
Therefore I dance quite a bit. I’m sure my neighbours love it, haha!
Sorry you had a bad run 😦
Brittany
I’d totally come dance with you! 😉
Davida @The Healthy Maven
To be honest I usually just lose my shit when things don’t go according to plan…and then I vent about it on my blog 😉 Sounds like we might be twins! Wish I had more productive advice for you. Maybe one of those insane looking cupcakes you posted a while back might help make you feel better? It sure would help me right about now!
spectacuLAUR
I hate, hate, HATE those runs. You just feel like your dragging from the get-go. We all have/had them at one point so, you’re right, this too shall pass. Let it go and on to the next one you little runner girl! Keep your head up and keep pumping those arms! (My mom has saved me on numerous occasions, too. That’s what they’re for. 😉
P
So sorry about the bad run :(! I planned a 9 mile LSD last week but unfortunately it didn’t work out to well (it was at a hot time during the day, I was mentally unmotivated).
That eBib pic is so true and so me :P!!!
Heather @ HeatherRunsFast.com
ROAR is my theme song for my upcoming marathon! Pumps me up bc I am a Champion baby! and you are TOOOOO! When something goes wrong in my training I usually try and make the run up later if I can fit it in. If not, I suck it up and move on. One bad run is a drop in the bucket compared to all the work you’ve put in 🙂 That VIEW! So jelly!
jessiebearwhat
Aw I hate days like that! Such a bummer. Glad you finished it though the second time, even if it was slow 🙂
Britta
Good lord I have been there. SO. many. times. Sometimes a long run will be so awesome and you feel like a million bucks and then it’s BAM! Nope, your body will hate you and even running a mile feels like death. My run on Sunday was kinda like that. Minus the cramp but a serious issue of IBS (tmi..whoops) where I actually didn’t know if I could make it to the nearest starbucks (I made it but thought I was going to die). I actually laughed so hard with your potato and bread snap chats… actually made my night! Gah, west coast living is so freaking beautiful. I just stop and take pictures all the time because its so flipping beautiful!!!!
Britta
ALSO loving the new background ❤ I should make mine more fall-y.
Brittany
It’s NEVER TMI!! HAHA, thank God for Starbucks!
Alex @ Cookie Dough Katzen
I hate that feeling. Honestly, if I don’t feel like running, I just walk. I know that’s not giving it my all, but it’s just what I feel like at the time. Great job on finishing!
genext13
I love the Garmin pic! I have had this several times in the last few weeks. This kind of fatigue can occur because of several things: 1. overtraining. 2. tapering too fast before a race. 3. not enough glycogen stores. This is revealed when your blood sugar runs out too fast and you have no stores to draw from. 4. as you mentioned, that time of the month can cause rapid changes of brain/blood chemistry without warning. How do you fix this? Hydrate more often during non exercise time (4oz water with electrolytes per hour before and after running). Avoid sugary stuff when running. I use an electrolyte only gel, no sugar, for workouts longer than 90 minutes. I know you are vegan so animal proteins are not an issue. Vega has a pre-workout drink that provides electrolytes and a little sugar to get you going. One thing that I find works on this type of day is some caffeine during the run. I always have a Hammer Gel with caffeine with me for this type of day. Have fun on your race!
PS – I love that book! My son loves it too because his name is in it.
Brittany
Ahh best comment on this entire post!! Thanks for all the insight, great tips and information! Also, glad you got the book reference! 😉
Amy
I’m the same way with my runs — if I schedule it, I’m going to do it! And then my calves/thighs/knees/glutes/feet/entire lower body decides otherwise, and I basically have an emotional breakdown in the middle of the street. Not too pretty!
I am SO proud of you for gutting it out for your 10.8 mile run! You’re amazing Brittany!!
Colin DeWaay
You are a trooper!!! Gotta love the drive!
Lauren
I’m not a ‘runner’. I sometimes run, but that’s it. However, I know how you’re feeling and runs are funky in that, some are good and some just suck. That one sucked. But look at you, you threw in the towel for the stupid run and then the next one you straight punched it in the face. Good work!!
PNWRunner
We all have our “bad” runs. I’m there with ya girl. I am still sore from sunday’s run (5k plus another 7miles) and I have the half and 10k this weekend. My legs are going to be DEAD monday. But you are right, this will pass. Just remember, you did your 10.8 miles and it doesn’t matter how fast you did it in. You did well sista by listening to your body. 🙂
allieksmith
You know what… I just had a bad long run last week and it’s made me nervous about one I am going to probably do this week. I stopped early, too. I just wasn’t feeling it mentally haha. Ugh! You have inspired me to tackle my next long run though 🙂 I love your attitude!!
Jan @ Sprouts n Squats
I recently hurt my foot from training for my first half marathon and what that means is that I’ve had to adjust my training plans down to something I don’t feel so confident with that I’ll do as well as what I did before I hurt my foot. I’ve realized though that when things don’t go to plan it is an opportunity to learn from them and know that things always going to plan would make life boring
Nicole @ FruitnFitness
I’m sorry your run didn’t go as planned. Sometimes a bad run makes the next one that much better. So get ready for a really good run soon 🙂
Robyn B | Modern Day Missus
Oh my, that post was great. Running and me don’t have a good relationship so I can totally relate. For the most part, when things don’t go my way, I try to let go, dust myself off and carry on…. seems to work. There is a Japanese saying – fall down seven times, stand up eight.
Keep at it 🙂
Robyn xx
Sarah @ Feeeding the Brain and Body
Aww don’t worry bad runs happen to the best of us. There have been periods recently where I have been just so incredibly exhausted I can hardly get one foot in front of the other and end up going incredibly slow/walking up hills. I guess the only thing we can do is hope that it pasts (and preferably before races) if not..there is always next time! Hope you are feeling more yourself soon!
On another note that running up and down the street for the last 1/4 mile picture totally gave me a laugh!
Elizabeth
the bad runs make the good runs even better……..but they sure do suck while they are happening! I’m on a crazy ‘every run is like hell’ streak right now, but I’m pushing through!
Moms are the best.
ahellams
Good for you for toughing it out and doing that run again!
1. The first picture actually is the thoughts on my head of EVERYONE that passes me EVERYTIME I am running. It is insane.
2. The second picture needs to be followed by a picture of the faces on the guys that are working on the house next door that see me run up and down our street three times to get that 1/4 mile. Their face says, “Dang, white girls are freaking crazy!”
Keep plugging, the runs will get better, so tough getting out of those “funk” weeks.
jessielovestorun
I know the frustrations that can come after a horrible run, but just always ALWAYS keep in mind that there will be better. Our days are full of unexpected moments.. it’s just how life works from time to time. The fact that you pushed yourself to conquer 7 miles is fantastic, Brittany =).
Katy @ iFuckingLoveFitness
Runnign 7 miles is still awesome! We all have bad workouts but we just have to remind ourselves that we can push hard next time… one bad workout isn’t going to destroy your progress!
alex@vegginout
You have got this girl!!! Not everyone run is perfect, but you still managed seven miles and then went out and got 10.8 so I say you were completely successful! Bad runs are definitely frustrating though so I feel you pain, especially being close to your half marathon and all. It’s kind of like when you’re studying the night before an exam, and you come across a problem that you have no idea how to do. I don’t know about you, but that causes me to freak. out. But that one question never ends up being on the exam anyway, and I freak myself out for nothing! You’ll be ready, just trust your body and know that when you need to run that 13 miles, it will do it for you! 🙂
So I guess I’m officially runner, because I’m totally guilty of running up and down the street to get that last bit of distance… and the funny this is all the non-runners think I’m a lunatic for doing so. They just don’t understand 😉
P.S. Moms truly are the best. I can’t even begin to count how many times I’ve called mine crying about who knows what… oh the things that lady has to put up with having me as her daughter, she ought to win some kind of an award. 😉
Luv What You Do
I have had so many runs that don’t go according to plan like you said. I usually try to brush it off, learn a lesson or two and then try it again. It’s disappointing but I have found it has no say as to how my race will go. Sometimes it allows me to relax a bit before the race and change my expectations which for me, can be good! Stay strong and have a great weekend! Run for the fun of it!
katalysthealth
Sorry about the tough runs babe 😦
I totally get it though. There are some weeks when I feel like I am so prepped and ready for my soccer game, then I step on the pitch and after 1 sprint Im totally toast. Its the most frustrating and depressing thing ever. But instead of getting down I just try to use it as motivation. I mean, we can only go up from here right? 😉
Alisha's Appetite
Bahhhhh that sucks girl 😦 I’m not really a runner (so 7 miles sounds incredibly epic), but I know how it feels to have a super shitty workout right around that time of the month. THE WORST! At least the next one will seem like the best run ever compared to this one, right??
Christine @ Gotta Eat Green
We all have bad runs some days, just have to embrace them (somehow haha). I die a little inside when I develop a blister half way through a run. It’s that NOOOO moment that makes me push harder to get through it sooner and get home to rest it.
brickhousechick
Good for you for trying it again! I want to eat a whole loaf of bread and a giant potato – but I don’t run! 🙂
GiGi Eats Celebrities
When things don’t go my way….
– I throw a temper tantrum
– Fall on the floor and bang it like a monkey
– Get a hold of myself
– Start throwing a tantrum again
– Curse giraffes
– Regather myself
– Tell myself that no one is going to die and that tomorrow is another day
– Stick my head in the freezer
– Slap a smile on my face
– AND GET ON WITH MY DAY!
– And then throw a mini tantrum later that evening when I get back home. lol
Brittany
Oh swell, I will try this next time..in this exact order. Should I get a monkey costume to really make number two special?? HAHA.
GiGi Eats Celebrities
Yes! And monkey costumes are available pretty much everywhere these days thanks to the impending holiday!
Melissa @ Al Forno Mementos
You’re “Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Run” is still better than my “No Run Run”. haha At least you get to enjoy some beautiful scenery!
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
That’s like every other run for me, minus four miles. Ha! I always think of you though and somehow re-motivate myself. Thanks for sharing the shitty runs along with the LIFE IS AWESOME AND I WANT TO RUN FOREVER runs because it makes you more real. I heart even your crappy runs.
Kristina at damntenpounds
Every single run in July and August was like this for me. Such a struggle to get through a tough run and know when to just call it quits. Especially when you’ve effortlessly run the distance (and farther) before. Trust in your training though. You have done it before and you can do it again. Your body remembers. And when all else fails, race day adrenaline will push you through it!
Heather @ Kiss My Broccoli
Aww, your post title brings back so many childhood memories…loved that book! Sorry to hear about the tough run…I’ve been there! I’m not a runner anymore, but I remember my worst one like it was yesterday…it was just an eight miler, but after I was about three miles in, it got bad…nothing seemed to be clicking, my feet felt like lead, and I just wanted to cry the whole time. Somehow I managed to finish it, but I wish I had stopped because I ended up with the worst (and my FIRST) case of shin-splints that lasted for like a week after that! Boo! Love that pic about the Garmin! I used to run in circles to get my mileage even! Haha!
What do I do when things don’t go according to plan? I usually cry…because I’m 28 going on 3, but after I get that out of my system, I usually just shrug it all off and figure out what I need to do to go with the NEW flow! 🙂
Rach @ This Italian Family
Aww I’m sorry friend. That DOES sound like an awful run! 😦