Turtle Days

Do you have them?  Days when you run poorly and cannot understand why?  Days when things just fall apart with no possible explanation?  I do! There are times when I feel good about my running.  Then there are times when I feel like any three-legged turtle in the country could outrun me.  Sometimes it is before the race even starts.  At other times in the middle of the course.  Not a thing that I can put my finger on, you understand.  I am just having a bad day.

There are times when we are not running well for obvious reasons: It may be a lingering injury.  It could be because of a lack of rest or poor conditioning.  We may have overextended ourselves during the past week or eaten something that did not agree with us.  We work our way through those times because we know they are going to get better.  We recognize our mistake and plan to correct it.  Just a little time and we will be back to where we were.  I do not even include these in my "Turtle Days", because I understand the problem and have at least some idea of how to fix it.

My problem is when I don't understand.  I have prepared for a race.  My training has gone well.  I feel like I have done things right and can look forward to a great time.  Then, without being able to explain why, I don't even have an average run.  For some strange reason, I have let this race go sour.  I am having a Turtle Day.  Our question is "what can you do when it happens to you”?

1.  DON'T GET DOWN ON YOURSELF.  That is no solution.  It will only make you more depressed.  Remember the good things you did.  You ate right and trained right.  Just because you don't understand doesn't make it your fault.  So avoid the guilt trip.

2.  REMEMBER YOU ARE NOT THE LONE RANGER HERE.  It has happened to others.  Almost any runner can tell you a similar story.  Just as they have won races they didn't deserve to win, they have also lost somewhere they were utterly without excuse.  Take some comfort in this.

3.  DON'T PUNISH YOURSELF FOR BAD RACES.  This leads to overtraining and injury.  Learn to put any bad experience behind you quickly.  Don't allow yourself to dwell on it.  Learn what you can from them but then move on.  There are plenty of races ahead in which you can redeem yourself.

4.  WORK YOUR WAY THROUGH THE BAD TIMES.  Go back to the drawing board as it were.  Convince yourself that you have a good program going; and one bad experience does not offset that.  Focus on your next race and plan to make it a good one.  Nothing will restore your confidence quicker than one good race.  Beating yourself up for failure does not solve the problem.

5.  DELIBERATELY TAKE SOME TIME OFF.  Especially if you have difficulty in forgetting this one.  Miss at least two training sessions.  Wait until you really WANT to run, then delay one more day.  You may be surprised what it will do for you.

6.  REMEMBER THAT RUNNING IS ALMOST AS MUCH MENTAL AS PHYSICAL.  I've had to kick myself out the door and still had a good run.  But having to dread your runs is not a good thing.  When it turns into work it is time to back off, at least briefly.  Think of things that will lift your spirits about your next run.  It may be as simple as changing your route or meeting a training partner.  Anything that will help your attitude will potentially help your running.

7.  DON'T FORGET THAT RUNNING COMES IN CYCLES.  Most elite runners follow a pattern.  They know that they cannot peak all the time, so they pattern their running accordingly.  They may plan on two peaks a year.  During each peak they run several races; but then take off as much as a month before building toward the next peak.  It works for them surprisingly well.

Your Turtle Days will come, BUT SO WHAT?  Sometimes for one race and sometimes for a longer Period; but they also pass.  Just hold on to your running.  Be consistent.  Stay focused.  Bad days are only a bump on a thrilling journey.  NEVER, NEVER let them define the trip!