4 Lessons You Learn From a Bad Run
[caption id="attachment_292" align="aligncenter" width="226" caption="Don't worry, it's going to be ok. "]
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Bad runs are like bad dates, you can either get through it gracefully or you just have to make an emergency exit. Believe me, I know. I’ve had just as many bad runs as I have had bad dates – the guy with breathe that smelled like he was chewing on hot garbage, crazy baby mamas, rejected credit cards, and the list goes on. Let’s just say I have learned how to manage bad dates better than I have bad runs. Like most things in life, there is a lesson to be learned from each experience, so why would running be any different?
4 Lesson You Learn From a Bad Run
1. Listen to Your Body – At times I have a hard time actually listening to my body. I can usually hear the voice of reason, doubt and the little devil version of me sitting on my right shoulder trying to corrupt my thoughts. But, it has taken a little more work to actually listen to my body. This includes knowing when I need to rest, when I need water or when I do and don’t need to push myself during a workout. When I don’t listen to my body, I usually end up injured, completely exhausted or sick.
2. When It’s Not Working, Don’t Force It – A few arguments and a plane ticket later, I deeply regretted not bowing out gracefully from an earlier relationship I had. I stuck it out thinking, “things will get better.” The same goes for a bad run. It’s usually better for me to cut the run short and regroup. Mentally I can rebound better from a bad 2 miler than I can from forcing myself to run 6 miles when I in a awful mood or dead tired.
3. Something can be Better Than Nothing - Elaborating on #3, sometimes you have to be happy with the little bit that you can give. For example, over the past few weeks I was overwhelmed with work and not getting much rest. I also didn’t have much time to run, so the runs I did have were only a few miles. During the runs I never got the runner’s high and afterwards, I didn’t feel like I’d had a good workout. Instead of beating myself up and feeling guilty, I decided to just be happy that I fit in time to run during a ridiculously hectic week.
4. Explore Your Options – A lot of times we justify going on dates with men we are not interested in because at least it’s a free meal or something to do. I know, I’m guilty. Occasionally, I’ve enjoyed the date, but usually it turns out just as bad as I thought it would. It’s the same with running. When I don’t feel like running, I don’t. Instead I play soccer, swim, or do some other form of cardio. Exploring my options helps me keep my workouts fresh and interesting. Plus, it’s nice to actually miss my post work jogs and come running back to them with open arms.
Ladies, how do you handle a bad run? What are some lessons that you have learned from a bad run or workout?
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Bad runs are like bad dates, you can either get through it gracefully or you just have to make an emergency exit. Believe me, I know. I’ve had just as many bad runs as I have had bad dates – the guy with breathe that smelled like he was chewing on hot garbage, crazy baby mamas, rejected credit cards, and the list goes on. Let’s just say I have learned how to manage bad dates better than I have bad runs. Like most things in life, there is a lesson to be learned from each experience, so why would running be any different?
4 Lesson You Learn From a Bad Run
1. Listen to Your Body – At times I have a hard time actually listening to my body. I can usually hear the voice of reason, doubt and the little devil version of me sitting on my right shoulder trying to corrupt my thoughts. But, it has taken a little more work to actually listen to my body. This includes knowing when I need to rest, when I need water or when I do and don’t need to push myself during a workout. When I don’t listen to my body, I usually end up injured, completely exhausted or sick.
2. When It’s Not Working, Don’t Force It – A few arguments and a plane ticket later, I deeply regretted not bowing out gracefully from an earlier relationship I had. I stuck it out thinking, “things will get better.” The same goes for a bad run. It’s usually better for me to cut the run short and regroup. Mentally I can rebound better from a bad 2 miler than I can from forcing myself to run 6 miles when I in a awful mood or dead tired.
3. Something can be Better Than Nothing - Elaborating on #3, sometimes you have to be happy with the little bit that you can give. For example, over the past few weeks I was overwhelmed with work and not getting much rest. I also didn’t have much time to run, so the runs I did have were only a few miles. During the runs I never got the runner’s high and afterwards, I didn’t feel like I’d had a good workout. Instead of beating myself up and feeling guilty, I decided to just be happy that I fit in time to run during a ridiculously hectic week.
4. Explore Your Options – A lot of times we justify going on dates with men we are not interested in because at least it’s a free meal or something to do. I know, I’m guilty. Occasionally, I’ve enjoyed the date, but usually it turns out just as bad as I thought it would. It’s the same with running. When I don’t feel like running, I don’t. Instead I play soccer, swim, or do some other form of cardio. Exploring my options helps me keep my workouts fresh and interesting. Plus, it’s nice to actually miss my post work jogs and come running back to them with open arms.
Ladies, how do you handle a bad run? What are some lessons that you have learned from a bad run or workout?
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