How do you psych yourself back up after a few bad runs?

[greysgirl]

My last 3 or 4 runs have been rough. Just felt hard, you guys know how it is. I ran yesterday, it sucked. I rested today and I want to do 7-8 miles tomorrow. I generally don't dread my runs but now that they have been so challenging I need a way to get myself back into a positive place about my runs. Does anyone have any good tips? Thanks ladies! 

[libbygrl109]

I have a fair share of cruddy runs, mainly because I put a lot of pressure on myself when I'm training for a particular race. Lately, I try to go out with as few expectations as possible other than to finish. And, though I use my Garmin, I don't look at it once I start it. Adding new music to my playlist helps, too.

[cinco]

I am coming off a bad week of runs, so I get it. I get frustrated, but try not to dwell on it. I firmly believe that hard runs are where stronger runners are made. Fighting through it makes you tougher. I watched a lot of Rocky on cable in my youth, and he says something like,
It isn't how hard you hit, but how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. That is how winning is done!
Man, that Rocky was deep, lol. In boxing (hah) and running, you just have to keep on going. Eventually there will be good days, and they make it all worth it. Well, mostly.

ETA: And yes, new outfits and new music help too  

[greysgirl]

Thanks girls. You're right I just have to keep on keeping on. I added a few new songs to my list. Maybe I should start a your what is favorite running song poll

[enfuego23]

Yep - I agree with what the others have said. I add new music to my playlist, try to find a new route to run or buy a new piece of workout gear.

I have a stress fracture so I can't run right now but I downloaded Pharrell's "Happy" and I really like listening to that on the elliptical. I also like Katy Perry's "Dark Horse".

[Brit]

I hear you. I have been going through a rough patch with running lately. It helps me a lot to leave my watch at home and just push through the miles. Sometimes it feels better not to know how slow you really are.

[G22]

Getting new running music or new running clothing helps. Sometimes if I can afford it, I'll give myself a day or two off from running. And do something else exercise-like, or just have a rest day. I also change up where I run so a change a scenery gives me something else to focus on besides running. If I take my dogs out, I focus on them and not tripping over them more than running, so in a way they help distract me from focusing on running alone.

[taratru]

I just keep going. Knowing that I can gut it through crappy stuff gives me confidence that I can do better.

[shorewife]

Feb 26, 2014 12:47:06 GMT -5 cinco said:

I am coming off a bad week of runs, so I get it. I get frustrated, but try not to dwell on it. I firmly believe that hard runs are where stronger runners are made. Fighting through it makes you tougher. I watched a lot of Rocky on cable in my youth, and he says something like,
It isn't how hard you hit, but how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. That is how winning is done!
Man, that Rocky was deep, lol. In boxing (hah) and running, you just have to keep on going. Eventually there will be good days, and they make it all worth it. Well, mostly.

ETA: And yes, new outfits and new music help too  

Love it!!  I really haven't had a single good run yet in this whole marathon training schedule.  Since December!  I know a lot of it has to do with the weather but it is frustrating.  I just keep trying to tell myself it will get better once the weather gets better (oddly this is what I tell myself in the heat of summer going into fall too!).

[Deleted]

Leaving my garmin at home and just running helped me.

[greysgirl]

Thanks girls, this was all really helpful. I actually had a much better run this morning!

[Deleted]

Feb 27, 2014 9:04:41 GMT -5 greysgirl said:

Thanks girls, this was all really helpful. I actually had a much better run this morning!

That's great!

I had two weeks of bad runs and broke the slump with a great run on Saturday. For me it was helpful to be conscientious about fueling properly to set myself up with the highest possible advantage. I prepared like I would for a race. Plus I had cute new clothes 
OH and sometimes I will push hard on the first mile, not enough to exhaust me, but enough to clock a good time on the first mile. Seeing a happy number at the beginning gets my adrenaline going and sets my mental energy in a positive direction, which makes the rest of the run easier. 

[ebeth]

rest and eat more food.

[lovesherheels]

I'm glad your run this morning was better!!  I'd been having a similar issue the last few runs -- just lethargic, didn't feel good -- but today's was much better for me, too.

New music, new route and more sleep (so a better attitude) seem to help me get over the hump. I also have a friend who's keeping me pretty accountable (as in, she messages me every morning on gchat to see how my run went), so there's nothing to do EXCEPT push through the bad ones ... or deal with the shame. lol. 

Keep up the positive momentum and good work!

[greysgirl]

Thanks girls! I also wonder if sometimes my exhaustion is mental. Don't get me wrong sometimes I am actually physically exhausted but I think sometimes it's all in my head. I try to tell myself, wow I feel so great, keeping in a positive frame of mind is big for me!

[lolobeth802]

I just recognize I these weeks (or two), that just suck and that I just have to KOKO, knowing that next week I'll be on fire and every run will be easy and enjoyable. Also, I'll second driving to another location to get some new scenery. Always refreshing!