My awful run - and what I learned from it

[Katie204]

I had a horrible run on Wednesday. My second time out in my new shoes, and running by the Thames - but these were the only good points. I pulled a muscle in my calf a few weeks ago, and have been desperate to get on with my HM training as I only have 5 more weeks to go. However, on this run the leg got worse and worse, so I was hopping at some points. Added to this, I fell up some steps and skinned my knees and hand.

Still, grim though it was, I learned some useful things.

1: KBO - Keep Buggering On. I felt like giving up when I fell over, but I was so far from home that I just had to keep going. After a few minutes the pain became bearable.

2: Think round every side of a problem. My main problem was my dodgy leg - not only was it hurting, but my other muscles were tensing to support my weight. First goal was to support the leg, so I bought a kinky black neoprene leg strap on Amazon. I also wanted to try and help the healing process, so I taped a magnet to the sore area to help blood flow. This may work or it may be a load of old twaddle, but it made me feel I was doing something constructive.

3: Feel the fear and do it anyway. I went out again this evening - but for some reason I was really nervous. It was the first time I have ever felt like that about running. I thought for a few moments about why I felt nervous, and realised it was something like "oh no - pain - failure - running out of training time for HM". To help with the pain I strapped my leg up (complete with magnet) and took some super-strength painkillers. To help with the nerves I just got out there and did it.

4: Learn from your body. Because I have been less able to run I have been doing more pilates and yogalates, so have become much more aware of posture. To stop my leg seizing up I was careful to stay relaxed as I ran.

Net result: success!

To quote Winston Churchill: "never give in, never, never, never, never..."

[marie-20 Half Marathon]

I've decided that I 'like' my bad runs. All my 'bad' runs give me something to refer back to when the going is tough, i.e. Well last month I felt awful and wanted to give up at 6 miles but I managed to carry on and did 10 miles albeit slowly so I AM going to do this 10K! and so on.

I feel better about bad runs after I figured out everyone has them and just because I'd had a few bad runs in a go it didn't mean that I couldn't run.

Anyways well done to you!

[Tomas Marathon]

I totally admire dedication to persevere when things look grim, but forcing your way through a run that is so bad that you're hopping with pain and having to eat super strength painkillers just to get out of the door sounds like a recipe for disaster.

Churchill's many motivational speeches where in a situation where the only alternative was to surrender, be enslaved and give up as life and national identity. A HM is slightly less serious.

I hope you take this in the spirit it's meant. You're doing great, and it's wonderful that you can rationalise a way to deal with the setbacks. Just remember also that the absolute top priority for any training run has to be that you're also able to get out for the next run.

Good luck, happy running 🏃

[PippiRuns]

Ouch, Katie! I'm not sure popping painkillers before a run is the best of ideas... I completely understand why you run despite being in pain, though. I did that in February when I was training for my first HM. I really wanted to be ready for the race and felt that things were going so well when suddenly I started feeling pain in my groin after long runs. I wasn't ready to accept that I had been building up both pace and distance too fast. Luckily I had a forced break (went on vacation to Sri Lanka, too hot to even think of running) and came back pain free.

Don't injure yourself 🏃‍♀️

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Katie, I admire your determination but have to agree with Tomas - pushing on through pain like that could jeopardise future runs. Better to rest up until that leg is feeling a lot better, even if it means you arrive at your HM feeling slightly underprepared - at least you will then hopefully arrive there well enough to complete it! (It's amazing what adrenalin and the atmosphere of the day can do for us!). If, worse case scenario, you are not able to make this HM, there will always be others - I had hoped to run my second HM in November but following illness and injury am now just happy to be able to run 5K again at the moment! Fingers crossed that you recover well and that leg settles soon for you - I know how frustrating it can feel. x

[Katie204 Half Marathon]

Thanks, everyone, for the encouragement - and for the words of warning. I am now more careful to listen to my body so I don't do anything silly.

[JaySeeSkinny Half Marathon]

I will run through niggles, but not real pain and I wouldn't take painkillers just so I can run. I've never actually been in that situation, but I really think if something is very painful my body is telling me damage is being done and I should stop.

[Katie204 Half Marathon in reply to JaySeeSkinny]

Fair point, Jaysee. I have held off running as long as I can - and the pain seems to have decreased significantly in the last week or so. I think I should be fine soon.

[ju-ju- Marathon]

... I love that quote too.... and a great post... as you say though, 'listen to your body,' and rest is also an essential training tool ( I am only just starting to grasp this myself!!). I love your mental attitude, that is the thing that will help you reach your goals... and beyond

[Katie204 Half Marathon in reply to ju-ju-]

Hi Ju-ju - as the others said, there is no point taking things to silly extremes, but I was glad I fought my gremlins the other day and won! I overcame a major lurking fear for me, which was to do with "what do I do if I run out of energy and resources?" Well, now I have a much better idea!