Twelve sucky miles

Some runs are amazing and make you glad to be alive.
Others are like today.

Sunday.
Long run day.
SUCKED THE BIG ONE.

I intended to take it easy, but short of walking, no amount of slowness was making the run feel any better. Maybe I was dehydrated? Maybe Friday's hill workout was tougher on my legs than I thought? Regardless of the reason, I was just glad when it was over.
The good: I finished the mileage I intended to.
The bad: I was waaaaay slower and more miserable than I've been on a long run in years. No amount of telling myself "Just enjoy the weather. It's gorgeous outside!" made it feel better.
The ugly: My foot started cramping as soon as I got home. Ouch!
The consolation prize:

Hubby made a Bloody Mary for me to sip while I sat in an ice bath (after properly hydrating with lots of water, of course). Allegedly pickle juice helps prevent muscle cramping. While I can neither confirm nor deny that home remedy, I wasn't about to turn down a dose of pickled okra in one of my favorite post-run "recovery drinks." (What? It's loaded with electrolytes! That's my story, and I'm sticking to it!)

The funny thing...?
Sitting at brunch with Hubby after we cleaned up and changed into presentable clothes, I felt more relaxed than I have in ages.

Maybe sometimes the joy in running is that it makes simple things, like sitting and resting, feel better by comparison.

How do you deal with unpleasant runs?