People are baffled by my running. They don’t understand how my current 60-65 mile weeks happen. How do I get that motivation to wake up each morning? How do I not get sick of it? How do I do it?
I love it. I really do. I respect what my body does so much and it makes me proud of my body, something I never used to be able to say. I have one tough body. 
That being said, I am human. It makes me so sad to hear those posts or tweets or notes of people who had those crappy runs. Those runs that make you think, I can never run, I should never run, I will never be a runner. I wanted to share my crap-tastic run today. Yes, the girl who beams after each run came back from 10 miles today feeling defeated and unmotivated. BUT this one run does not make me less of a runner, it makes me human.
For all those bad ones, I hope you find the humor in them. I said it – the humor in it. Even the best runners, the most fit athletes have those absolutely shitty workouts.
For some entertainment – how NOT to start a Saturday morning run:
- Spend the night sweating through three shirts because your AC unit does jack.
- Wake up multiple times per night with let’s just say ‘stomach fun times’ – even looking up your symptoms online because it has been two days now of diarrhea.
- Decide to lay in bed till 745 am rather than get out the door and run before it hits 90 degrees.
- Run a little too fast because of your racing mind and lots of runners around.
- Feel a similar stomach feeling and realize that what you have been experiencing is NOT due to a food intolerance but heat rash. F*
- Realize at mile 10 that there is nothing left in you.
- Nearly don’t make it in the door thanks to your ahem stomach upset.
So, as you may have seen I have realized what has been causing my stomach pains. I finally examined my back and yep the dots are back. Each summer this seems to happen to me, mostly when I spend days on the beach. I am super sensitive to the sun and my symptoms of heat stroke include a rash on my back and stomach along with lots of diarrhea. Uck, I’m sorry to include this. I think it may be I am not used to this hotter weather that my body hit its breaking point this past week. 
Don’t get defeated by one run. I am still laughing about the actual hilarious-ness of today’s run. We all have those runs, we all have those days. It gives me more motivation to kick butt tomorrow on my run.
Question: Do you get down with one bad workout? What made you laugh during your workout or rest day today?
I get down when things seem tougher than usual during a workout, or I stop before I wanted to stop. Also, as I recently learned, I get really down on myself when there are a lot of mirrors in the workout room, like there were in the hotel I stayed at on vacation.
What makes me laugh are my brothers. They always find a way to do something funny that cheers me up
What great things to laugh about! Mirrors are not my fan with working out, I know you didn’t follow me then but I did a post on Bikram and how the whole front was mirrors. It took a lot to get used to but glad i pushed past it.
I’ve learned that I need to respect my body during workouts. I used to push past pain or weakness but sometimes I just don’t have it in me and that’s ok! I’m so glad that you were able to take your bad run for what it was – just one run! you define yourself and that’s all that matters!
i hope your tummy’s feeling better!
I love that mentality and it is how I go towards my workouts now. I think it is how you have to roll!
when my averages or times don’t add up to what i want I get kinda mad,..but i have to tell myself it happens! getting out there at all helps. I sure hope your heat rash is better. that doesn’t sound fun at all..rest up and i hope the AC works for you!
Ya, I know the heat stroke just takes time to go down. I get the same way with times which is why I try to make sure I have a few speedier workouts but don’t freak out about the rest.
OH girl! So sorry you are dealing with this!! I don’t usually let a workout get me down. I am missing running and higher intensity workouts, but yoga and pilates are my workouts for now. I have been laughing at myself doing yoga b/c I fall over a lot! lol
Those seem like great workouts! I think it is all about finding what works in the moment, you can always go back to running. I am terrible at yoga but it is so good for you!
Holy crap! I never realized you ran that much!!! How do you do it?? I barely started running less than a year ago, and I’m only running about 2 miles when I do. Do you have any advice on working up to that long of a distance? How long does it take you?
Hahah you are adorable. I didn’t start with this high of mileage. You can’t. It usually take me about 80 minutes or less each morning depending on the distance. You need to make sure you get enough REST when you are building mileage and don’t go too much too soon. When I was injured last year I took six months of no running. Building back from that was rough but I am stronger runner because I took it slow. I ran at first only three times a week with two shorter and one say five miler. I kept that three to four times but increase mileage. then see how your body reacts. it is all about adjusting to what your body needs and responding to how you feel in the moment. it is different for everyone. email me at therunwithin@gmail.com if you have more specific questions.
Also, do you have a Twitter?
Ah, I found it! Ok, bye!
Wow! that’s a lot of mileage! That’s awesome! I recently had to cut back on mine for health “girl” stuff haha… I wouldn’t say I get down, but there are times where I thought I could have done better if I slept more
Thanks for reading Rachel! This is definitely the most I have done in a while for training but it is feeling good thank goodness.
WOW,girl,you sure run a lot and it’s no wonder you’re exhausted after 10 miles… I wouldn’t even survive this,I guess!
However,I’m sorry for the stomach troubles… I know how it’s like when you try everything and nothing seems to help at all,really.
It’s good you don’t let it all get yourself down too much though,that is something I still need to learn. I am truly over-sensitive,unfortunately.
um you pounded out 10 miles today… everything else aside – AMAZING!!! i have tummy troubles too (and they have increased tenfold since mexico – no clue why!) and racing to the door because of your belly… not fun… but… at least you made it!
it could be because of the heat in Mexico and it is now showing up. i usually get the symptoms like 24 hours after the heat or exhaustion.
Well, 60-65 miles per week is pretty impressive!! I think it’s really hard not to get down after a difficult/bad workout, but then remember those that feel awesome. All of them just can’t be that great or we wouldn’t appreciate ‘em!
Exactly! I think it makes you appreciate the great runs that much more.
60-65 mile weeks? Damn impressive.
Everyone has a bad workout every now and then, I just like to come back and nail the next one.
I hope you feel better soon! When you get heat rash, does it usually last for a while?
it usually last for a while sadly. there is nothing you can do but try and reduce the symptoms. thanks girl!
You are so right about bad runs making us HUMAN and not bad runners! Sorry for your heat rash symptoms! I’ve never experienced anything like that during a run before, but I know my time is coming because it happens to so many runners. lol
it is brutal and it happens to me at the beach each year. I have to be so careful. never fun.
I had a pretty bad run on Thursday. My legs felt like absolute lead. So I found a yoga studio and will be taking actual classes starting next week. YAY! I hope this helps!
Yoga helps me. I am waiting for a groupon so i can afford it.
Love this post! Sometimes we forget that its okay to have a rough day. I definitely remember swim practices where my tummy was acting up too, or I’d had a rough day etc. and you just have to let it go and not let it hold you back–sounds like you’re doing just that! Heat rash sounds AWFUL! I’m so sorry
feel better soon!
I think it is so human for all of us to have those actually terrible workouts. Got to keep trucking on!
Oh my gosh. You are my hero! Haha, how you can even laugh about this? That’s the kind of attitude I want to have!
I’ve got a measly 6 miles tomorrow, and it’s making me kinda nervous, but I actually can’t wait. I want to prove to myself that I can still do it after taking a week or two off from running higher (for me) mileage.
I’ll be thinking of you tomorrow, and how you managed to get through this!
I’m sorry for your stomach troubles, though. I really hope you feel better!
YOu go girl! I know that tomorrow I will do a run and it will feel better. No matter what you have to move away from those bad runs and remember that there is always another one coming in the week, whenever it is.
i definitely can feel “down” after one bad workout. but the next day i shake it off and get right back to it. i figure that i can’t let one bad workout ruin it all!
That is the right mindset! Way to go on that.
oh man that does NOT sound like a fun run. just to add to the bathroom humor, my best friend and I refer to stomach pain during running as “the brown bear coming to get you” and if you have to make a pit stop…yep the brown bear caught you. great code word hahaha. For what it’s worth, I miss being able to run long enough for that to happen haha!! It’s hard for me not to feel discouraged and scared about not really being able to make progress with getting back to running, but you’re right, there’s always humor in it. Like today I fell off my bike in my own driveway because I still don’t really know how to stop with the clip-in shoes hahahaha. neighbors got a kick out of it
Oh my gosh that is hilarious. I am going to be thinking of that now every time I run and have to go. freaking hilarious. YOu will make progress, remember just a year ago I didn’t run for over six months. Remember that!
First I lovee how many miles you get every week. You’re such a superstar!! I’ve lowered mine recently, and have only been putting in around 45. Second, I’m so glad you figured out the culrpit into your stomach aches. Stupid heat!! If I were in the states I’d run along side of you with a fan
haha. How’d your coffee date go today too btw?
I usually try too not let myself get down after a bad run. I know they are gonna happen, and that’s just something as a runner ya gotta accept
Coffee date is today so I am pumped.Can’t wait to meet her. Todays run felt better but my stomach was a mess. Ugh heat.
Ah, well have fun!!! Boo, I hope your stomach starts feeling better girl!!
Ya me too, thanks for the thoughts.
Aw sorry about your troubles
I had that problem some last week too :/
I hate the heat for that reason.
yeah:/ You were already nominated for the liebster award right?
Yes but thank you!
running has been hard for me, but I just need to keep trying. I’ve been working hard not to let one run get me down!
great attitude, it takes time but it looks like you are being smart about it!
I don’t know HOW you do it either. I am hoping once I get use to work, I’ll be able to get my workouts in again.
It has been busy, especially with everything going on. Got to find time for what you love though.
True That. Hoping I can the same this time around!
Thank you! Me too.