Comments on: Ten Strategies for Surviving Running Workouts When Nothing is Going Right

By: Suzzie Carleson

Suzzie Carleson — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 02:52:03 +0000

#6 really works for me while running every day on Terwilliger even though it may be between clenched teeth! Thanks for your insight and humor!

By: Author Steve McKee : Some times you eat the bear, and …

Author Steve McKee : Some times you eat the bear, and … — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 17:31:46 +0000

[...] you wonder why why why and what can you do and there’s no answer, none that you can think of, and you could really use some advice, and maybe just maybe I might never get on this thing again. And then the first sprint did NOTHING [...]

By: snarkypants

snarkypants — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 04:18:40 +0000

Bob – Yeah, pure psychological trickery! I love that.
Ed – Good point! In my case I was running on a full day’s rest but not quite enough sleep and some marginal Saturday night nutrition choices. I think that was the real kicker for me… I’ve been eating so clean for so long that when I stray a little it tends to take a toll. My gut was not my best friend that morning!
I did have the “overtrained” version of fatigue the previous week… man, was it obvious. I mean, I was absolutely battling to push the heart up to 150bpm. It was interesting from a science-experiment perspective and painful from an experience perspective. :)

By: Ed

Ed — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 03:54:14 +0000

Looks like you hit on a topic we all relate to. Some days my body is just like an undisciplined child. I dare not give in to its tantrums, lest I program it to think it can get its way by whining and throwing a tantrum!

But sometimes, a day like you describe causes me to evaluate my training strategy and ask if I’m overdue for a rest day. I really like periodization training, and plan easy days and easy weeks in advance. But sometimes, I built my plans on the 25 year old body in which I no longer reside, and have to deal with the reality that I just need more recovery time. I’m getting where I can better tell the difference between a lazy day and a legitimate need for a rest day. So for what its worth…

By: Bob Allen

Bob Allen — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 03:52:30 +0000

This is a good post. One of the things that I do is tell myself that I could turn just up ahead and shorten my route. By the time I get up ahead, then I tell myself, Well, if I go up there, then I could turn and shorten this awful run. Then, when I get up there ... you get the idea.

By: Bob Allen

Bob Allen — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 03:48:31 +0000

Just wanted to make sure you knew that your RSS feed still points to the old site. But, for now, I’ll just be old fashioned and use a bookmark. :)

By: snarkypants

snarkypants — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 03:42:51 +0000

BettyC – You’re right. That is a HUGE one!
Doug – I like the way you’ve rephrased that a bit… it takes it to a bit more of an in-the-moment granule approach. Very cool.
Zandria – Thanks! I’m glad you found them helpful! Like I said, this one wrote itself on Sunday as I cringed. :)

By: Zandria

Zandria — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 03:00:53 +0000

You have a TON of good tips here! :)

By: BettyC

BettyC — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 17:33:13 +0000

#7 is one that my trainer suggested to me and it was the first that I heard it. And gosh darn it, it does work.

One you didn’t list that I use a lot – I draw on past runs – they are deposits. Rainy? Sheesh. I’ve run in worse rain. Long run? Forget it. I’ve run farther, in hotter weather, colder weather, without a working water fountain, in the morning before work, in the evening before cooking dinner, blah, blah. Whatever my mental block is, I can usually summon a previous run where I overcame it.

By: Doug

Doug — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 17:06:01 +0000

I was going to add a new one for you, but I’m just going to rephrase #9, “Focus on what’s right.”

Whats hurting? Your knee? Forget it. Focus on your ankle. Your back. Completely absorb yourself into what another body part is feeling. If “everything” hurts, focus on your elbow, your fingers, it doesn’t matter. If you’re suffering, I guarantee you’re focusing on the pain. Focus on something else.