Head versus body - that awful battle!

MarieC

Ok fair enough it was only one bad run but I was going out with the intention of it being a 12miler (I missed my long run last weekend cos of weekend away so want to make it up this week). So off I went and was feeling fine, but cos of stress, anxiety, tiredness I slowly start to feel that my mind was not going to co-operate with the run.

On top of that a busy day yesterday meant lunch was eaten in 15min, but it was a good lunch (stir-fried veg and cous cous). (4.5hrs between lunch and run). Had a banana and nutrigrain bar half hour before the run. Even so, 2 miles in and all I could picture was food. I was ready to eat a fridge if I had been anywhere near one! Stopped at 3miles, walked the mile back to the UL Arena dejected, very annoyed with myself and frikkin starving!!!

So gonna try it again this afternoon (sooner after Ive eaten my lunch) and when its bright. I guess writing this cos just needed to rant with people who might be able to relate. I know we can all have a bad run from time to time, but last night I felt mentally washed out. How, pray tell, do I overcome this, not let it ruin my runs and feel like Im in control.

RubyK

Hey, don't worry, bet you'll have a much better run today!

I find it hard to switch off some evenings, if I have a lot going on. I've had some great arguments with myself (in my head) trying to get in the right frame of mind, while struggling up the road!

Ok, that makes me sound a bit mad. I'm not. Honestly

Sosa

Stick with it Marie....
Sometimes if i dont feel like doing a particular run ,i tell myself that i will go for 8...then when im out there i make it 10 and then i am getting in to it and get done...your kind of tricking your mind into getting it done.

Krusty_Clown

I get that a lot on Tuesdays for some reason (probably because it's the first run after Sunday's long run (Monday's I just swim). After 1.5 miles I start to feel weak, hungry, hot, and tired. I struggle through another mile, and it's gone. Then it's on with the intervals.

tunguska

I read a book called "Miracle in the Andes" http://www.amazon.co.uk/Miracle-Andes-Nando-Parrado/dp/0752881345/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1266579275&sr=1-1
and anytime I feel like quitting or like I cant finish a run I just think about that story and the unbelievable hardships Nando Parrado overcame to save him and his team mates. Never lets me down.

shels4ever

MarieC wrote: »

Ok fair enough it was only one bad run but I was going out with the intention of it being a 12miler (I missed my long run last weekend cos of weekend away so want to make it up this week). So off I went and was feeling fine, but cos of stress, anxiety, tiredness I slowly start to feel that my mind was not going to co-operate with the run.

On top of that a busy day yesterday meant lunch was eaten in 15min, but it was a good lunch (stir-fried veg and cous cous). (4.5hrs between lunch and run). Had a banana and nutrigrain bar half hour before the run. Even so, 2 miles in and all I could picture was food. I was ready to eat a fridge if I had been anywhere near one! Stopped at 3miles, walked the mile back to the UL Arena dejected, very annoyed with myself and frikkin starving!!!

So gonna try it again this afternoon (sooner after Ive eaten my lunch) and when its bright. I guess writing this cos just needed to rant with people who might be able to relate. I know we can all have a bad run from time to time, but last night I felt mentally washed out. How, pray tell, do I overcome this, not let it ruin my runs and feel like Im in control.

Hi there,
Actually had the exact same thing happen last year, had planned a 15 mile run on a Thursday , got to about 4 miles and got back in the car, worst run I'd eve had. Then on Friday woke up had something to eat and had a super 15 mile run. Some days your just not going to feel right, listen to your body

Rebelkell

Really struggling for the last few weeks with my training - Was doing 10 miles 3 times a week now lucky to do that once with a couple of 8 k runs as well. My legs feel weighted down very frustrating:mad:

Rebelkell

tunguska wrote: »

I read a book called "Miracle in the Andes" http://www.amazon.co.uk/Miracle-Andes-Nando-Parrado/dp/0752881345/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1266579275&sr=1-1
and anytime I feel like quitting or like I cant finish a run I just think about that story and the unbelievable hardships Nando Parrado overcame to save him and his team mates. Never lets me down.

Are you suggesting I should eat my friends?

T runner

MarieC wrote: »

Ok fair enough it was only one bad run but I was going out with the intention of it being a 12miler (I missed my long run last weekend cos of weekend away so want to make it up this week). So off I went and was feeling fine, but cos of stress, anxiety, tiredness I slowly start to feel that my mind was not going to co-operate with the run.

On top of that a busy day yesterday meant lunch was eaten in 15min, but it was a good lunch (stir-fried veg and cous cous). (4.5hrs between lunch and run). Had a banana and nutrigrain bar half hour before the run. Even so, 2 miles in and all I could picture was food. I was ready to eat a fridge if I had been anywhere near one! Stopped at 3miles, walked the mile back to the UL Arena dejected, very annoyed with myself and frikkin starving!!!

So gonna try it again this afternoon (sooner after Ive eaten my lunch) and when its bright. I guess writing this cos just needed to rant with people who might be able to relate. I know we can all have a bad run from time to time, but last night I felt mentally washed out. How, pray tell, do I overcome this, not let it ruin my runs and feel like Im in control.

Sounds like you were just short of energy. You might have been gradually depleted over a few days. A big glass of freshly squeezed orange juice before a run will get you well into it and take the hunger off.

Oryx

Some days you just have bad runs. Some days you can turn them into good runs, somedays not. I find it hard to tell the difference tho, so I sympathise. I use the trick of saying Im only doing x miles... then when I get that far, say, ok, just 1 more, or 2 more etc...

If I find Im focused on the pain or tiredness, I talk to myself in my head, tell myself Im doing good. Sounds mad but it works. I also relax my shoulders and concentrate on my breathing for a bit. Before I know it Ive stopped thinking of how I feel and am looking at the scenery.

But youll always get the days when you just got to quit and start again the next day. Its not the end of the world even tho I hate when it happens too.

MarieC

Well thanks a million to everyone so far for the bits of advice. I do think that not having enough fuel on board was a definite issue yesterday. What Im finding hard at the moment is maintaining the mental strength. Im just after the PhD, under a lot of stress, so I havnt alot in the mental tank so to speak.

Went out this evening to attempt the 12miler again. its a 6miler x 2. First loop was fine, felt good. Second loop was tough tough tough. I started getting a tad hungry also. Had left an Elvenses bar at the "finish line" and promised myself a sausage sandwich later so that really helped keep me going. Found I was really slowing in the second half, and the temperatures dropping drastically didnt help either.

Finished in 1:48. Not amazing by a long shot but hell I did what I set out to do and for today that is enough..

RedB

Marie,

Did you take on any fuel or water during your run? I usually try to pick up a gel+water around 6-9M as I found I start to fade after approx 90mins. I just did 13M at the same pace as you without either and it was tough, especially in the freezing cold. If you can pick up something after the first loop and either have it then or bring it with you for further on then it mighn't feel as tough. I have isotonic gels also which don't even need water.

Red

MarieC

RedB wrote: »

Marie,

Did you take on any fuel or water during your run? I usually try to pick up a gel+water around 6-9M as I found I start to fade after approx 90mins. I just did 13M at the same pace as you without either and it was tough, especially in the freezing cold. If you can pick up something after the first loop and either have it then or bring it with you for further on then it mighn't feel as tough. I have isotonic gels also which don't even need water.

Red

Hi RedB. I picked up a 500ml bottle of water Id left by the arena after the first loop so had that and did feel it definitely helped. I think its time to stock up on some gels, water isn't enough for me at all. The temperature difference the second time around, in comparison to loop 1 was unreal.

Have a 13miler still left for tomorrow so will gel it up and see how it goes. Thanks RedB

shels4ever

MarieC wrote: »

Ok fair enough it was only one bad run but I was going out with the intention of it being a 12miler (I missed my long run last weekend cos of weekend away so want to make it up this week). So off I went and was feeling fine, but cos of stress, anxiety, tiredness I slowly start to feel that my mind was not going to co-operate with the run.

On top of that a busy day yesterday meant lunch was eaten in 15min, but it was a good lunch (stir-fried veg and cous cous). (4.5hrs between lunch and run). Had a banana and nutrigrain bar half hour before the run. Even so, 2 miles in and all I could picture was food. I was ready to eat a fridge if I had been anywhere near one! Stopped at 3miles, walked the mile back to the UL Arena dejected, very annoyed with myself and frikkin starving!!!

So gonna try it again this afternoon (sooner after Ive eaten my lunch) and when its bright. I guess writing this cos just needed to rant with people who might be able to relate. I know we can all have a bad run from time to time, but last night I felt mentally washed out. How, pray tell, do I overcome this, not let it ruin my runs and feel like Im in control.

My problem is the other way around at the moment.My mind wants to run more but my body doesnt....

Krusty_Clown

MarieC wrote: »

Hi RedB. I picked up a 500ml bottle of water Id left by the arena after the first loop so had that and did feel it definitely helped. I think its time to stock up on some gels, water isn't enough for me at all. The temperature difference the second time around, in comparison to loop 1 was unreal.

Have a 13miler still left for tomorrow so will gel it up and see how it goes. Thanks RedB

Hmmm.... 12 Miles on Friday, 13 Miles on Sunday...
What are you training for at the moment?

MarieC

shels4ever wrote: »

My problem is the other way around at the moment.My mind wants to run more but my body doesnt....

By our positive powers combined............. :rolleyes:

MarieC

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Hmmm.... 12 Miles on Friday, 13 Miles on Sunday...
What are you training for at the moment?

Im training for Connemara Half on APril 11th and Limerick full 3 weeks later. I have actually done my planned training for this week, but missed my long run last weekend cos I was away so wanted to try and make it up this week. Bad idea? Im running a few years but not to the level of most of the rest of ye.

aero2k

MarieC wrote: »

...missed my long run last weekend cos I was away so wanted to try and make it up this week. Bad idea?

Hi MarieC,

I think most experts reckon it's not a good idea to try to make up missed sessions. I occasionally juggle my programme a bit if I have commitments / am exhausted etc, but if for some reason I just can't do a session then I'd let it go. (I'm being hypothetical here, I've run every day since 12 June '09, but I have skipped a few hard sessions when I was ill or exhausted.) So long as you're not missing them every week then no harm done. (If you're ill rather than just sluggish, then definitely give it a miss). Most programmes depend on the sum of a large number of sessions, so missing one or two is not in itself a major problem.
As for mind vs body, I think the real trick is to turn that into mind and body working in harmony. No matter how bad things are, there's always something positive to think about. For instance this morning was extremely cold, my hands were frozen and I was starting out on a 16 miler with 4@ PMP. I tried to mentally focus on the sunshine, the fact that the frost meant I wasn't sinking in the mud, how comfy my new shoes were etc. Despite a shivery, sluggish start I soon warmed up and had a great run. I've also stored the memory of being bathed in warm sunshine on one part of the route, and next time I'm having a rough time I'll retrieve that memory - that usually makes me feel better immediately.
I echo the suggestions above for fuel - I bring a sugary drink if I'm going over 1 hour.
Slightly o/t, but I seem to remember you saying you got nauseous when drinking after a run. I get that a lot, especially if the liquid is cold. Try tepid water?
Well done on getting the run done at the second attempt.

MarieC

aero2k wrote: »

Hi MarieC,

I think most experts reckon it's not a good idea to try to make up missed sessions. I occasionally juggle my programme a bit if I have commitments / am exhausted etc, but if for some reason I just can't do a session then I'd let it go. (I'm being hypothetical here, I've run every day since 12 June '09, but I have skipped a few hard sessions when I was ill or exhausted.) So long as you're not missing them every week then no harm done. (If you're ill rather than just sluggish, then definitely give it a miss). Most programmes depend on the sum of a large number of sessions, so missing one or two is not in itself a major problem.
As for mind vs body, I think the real trick is to turn that into mind and body working in harmony. No matter how bad things are, there's always something positive to think about. For instance this morning was extremely cold, my hands were frozen and I was starting out on a 16 miler with 4@ PMP. I tried to mentally focus on the sunshine, the fact that the frost meant I wasn't sinking in the mud, how comfy my new shoes were etc. Despite a shivery, sluggish start I soon warmed up and had a great run. I've also stored the memory of being bathed in warm sunshine on one part of the route, and next time I'm having a rough time I'll retrieve that memory - that usually makes me feel better immediately.
I echo the suggestions above for fuel - I bring a sugary drink if I'm going over 1 hour.
Slightly o/t, but I seem to remember you saying you got nauseous when drinking after a run. I get that a lot, especially if the liquid is cold. Try tepid water?
Well done on getting the run done at the second attempt.

Thanks aero2k. To be honest I've been kind of half hoping today that someone will say dont run tomorrow. Im a stubborn, v.determind person but Im also exhausted, mentally and physically - just not good at letting myself take it easy. Think its just a culmination of everything but today I feel like a train wreck. Think running tomorrow would do more damage than good really. Sorry for the moan here, but I dont use my training log anymore but needed to vent with ye folk who get this running lark.

Krusty_Clown

I think you've answered your own question. doesn't sounds like doing 13 tomorrow would be a great idea. Wait and see how you feel. If you feel ok, do 6 miles (slow). Set a goal of doing the miles no faster than x:y. If you still feel ok, tag on a few more miles. It's better to start with a plan to do a low number of miles and increase it if you feel ok, then it is to start with a plan to do a lot of miles, and be forced to cut it short.