Lately, my runs have felt really slow.
And hard.
Not hard as in I’m running at a fast pace, long distance or hill repeats.
But, hard because my muscles hurt and I feel slow & sluggish.
Honestly, it sucks.
So, I thought about it… what aspect(s) of my life, training schedule, or environment are making my runs {slow & hard}?
1. It’s hot and humid in Northern Virginia
I don’t mind the heat. In fact, I actually like the sun and hot summer days (I’m from Florida – what do you expect). But the humidity? That’s what kills me. I walk in from a run feeling like I just jumped into a pool (of sweat). High humidity effects running – it’s plain and simple.
2. The PF Word
I have plantar fasciitus and it hurts (like a mother). I’ve cut back on running but no matter what, the 1st mile always hurts. Like, really hurts. Thankfully, I start acupuncture and Active Release Technique (ART) this week and hope/pray that I see results {soon}
3. Not enough time off
I haven’t told many people this…but I’m not sure I took enough time off after my marathon. Sure, my marathon was 2 months ago, but I was on such a post-race runner’s high after qualifying for Boston that I didn’t want to take any time off. I also did a triathlon 3 weeks after the marathon. I haven’t stopped since. It’s hard not to run, considering its one of my most favorite things to do. But, sometimes, I need to listen to my body.
Often times, “hard” runs are frustrating – and it’s easy to overlook what my body can do (versus what it can’t). Even though my runs feel slow and hard, I’m thankful that I’m able to run (bike & swim). And the even crazier part? My runs aren’t really that slow – they just feel really slow and hard.
I’ll take these slow, hard runs because they prepare me for future runs. When I was marathon training, I ran 17 miles in the freezing, cold rain. It rained the entire run and I was miserable for 17 miles – but that run prepared me for the pain of running a marathon. Had I not experienced the rain-run, I may not have been mentally prepared for my marathon.
I’m thankful for the reminder that {slow & hard} runs build mental toughness and prepare me for challenging runs.
What builds your mental toughness?
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| I’ll take {slow & hard} runs – as long I can still run! |
– Bob Clarke, Philadelphia Flyers general manager, NHL Hall of Fame
Tough runs are hard because it eats at you mentally and makes you question your abilities.
I'm with on the humidity factor. It's like breathing through a sponge out there!
Wow – this post couldn't come at a better time for me to read. My runs for the past three weeks have been really hard. I keep complaining to my boyfriend and close friends that I've been training for months and I don't feel any improvement, and it's been easy to get really down on myself. I keep struggling through 3 mile runs when I used to plow through 6-7 mile runs with no problem.
Finally, last week, I tried a different route and running with a friend. While the run was still hard, I hit great times and was enjoying myself again. It changed my perspective: I run because I love it – because it's fun and challenging and not that many people can do it. It's funny how one really good run makes all the crappy runs worth it.
I love the quote you posted at the end. I want to tape that to my mirror!
Also, side note, I am a Florida native who now lives in Northern Virginia!
Parenthood builds my mental toughness. My kids are RELENTLESS. I'm convinced the middle one is going to be a prosecuting attorney someday.
The heat is helping with my mental toughness too. While it's not generally humid here, it's in the triple digits EVERY DAY and will be until probably the end of September. (((sigh)))
Running with injuries is very mentally draining. I've been battling a hip flexor strain for weeks. It's slowly getting better, but I still know it's there. It's like a PEST.
I hope your PF clears up soon.
I'm in the same boat! I am taking a few days off this week for this exact reason and thinking about all that I can do! I know my slow runs are not normal for me, so I forced myself to think about why and give myself a break.
Looks like we are not alone… I had a hard run this morning but couldn't find the mental strength to keep pushing through. I am going to try it again tomorrow and break through this barrier..
Good luck and great lessons well taken.
Make it a great day!
this weather is BONKERS right now. all my runs feel like crap. just keep moving forward, it will turn for you!
It's definitely been really tough running around here recently. Fall can't come soon enough.
I've also been feeling a bit burned out recently and am trying to make July my month of extra rest days! So far, so good. 🙂
I agree! Thanks for posting. It's frustrating running in this heat but we just have to trust it makes us better Fall racers. I have even stopped wearing my Garmin on some of my weekday runs. I was running easy 8 min miles in May and now I struggle with an 8:17 pace in the humidity. Just keep on keepin' on!
dude i am going through the SAM thing right now. it is sooo hard, like sore, never run before hard! brooks glycerins btw? check out my last blog post, we are the same wave lenth
Hey girl. I know I've seen your blog before but I am really bad about keeping up and I'm so glad I found this again. I'm adding you to my blog roll. Love your style of writing…I was with you the whole way. Hoping you recover quickly from the PF words. I can't even imagine running in the heat you have!! We have pretty cool temps so when it reaches 80 we are all dying. 🙂 My bro lives in Virginia right now and he can't handle the heat. HOpe to catch up on here.
Oh and congrats on the BQ. looks like we run some very similar times in several of the distances.
Hang in there darlin! You are AMAZING and super Fast! I hope that the PF eases up asap.