Sunday, December 4

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?

5 comments:

  1. It may have sucked but you did it! I'm a bit jealous because I can't run....wanna trade?

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  2. Argh. Nope. Definitely don't want to trade! I know what you mean. Today's run may have sucked, but NOT being able to run is worse.
    I hope you feel better soon!

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  3. Running gives you things in so many different ways - sometimes being on the run can make you feel soooo good, but other times it's the satisfaction in knowing you gutted it out despite feeling bad. Good job pushing thru the sucky run.

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  4. I think a Bloody Mary is an excellent way to erase a bad run :) Congrats on sticking it out!

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  5. I had a horrible run on Thursday and felt exactly like you! After I took a long hot shower I felt amazing for the rest of the day. I hope that you don't have a repeat performance of the suckitude any time soon!

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Penny for your thoughts?