Lets talk about the "Bad Run".
This particular entry into the blogosphere originally had a slightly different theme, that of Good vs Bad. But after a little deliberation in my own head I've decided each version of the run deserves its own stand alone entry.
And thus we come to the topic of the day: THE BAD RUN.
I don't know about others, and quite frankly I don't know that I even care when it comes to this topic, but I typically know I'm headed for a bad run within the first mile. Sometimes, its even sooner than that. Its just a feeling, which typically generates in my legs and ankles and then makes its way up into my brain where it registers as what it is.
Case in Point, my most recent bad run. This general route I have done numerous times. I have run around town so many times I can pretty easily pick a general direction and achieve my mileage goals:
This particular entry into the blogosphere originally had a slightly different theme, that of Good vs Bad. But after a little deliberation in my own head I've decided each version of the run deserves its own stand alone entry.
And thus we come to the topic of the day: THE BAD RUN.
I don't know about others, and quite frankly I don't know that I even care when it comes to this topic, but I typically know I'm headed for a bad run within the first mile. Sometimes, its even sooner than that. Its just a feeling, which typically generates in my legs and ankles and then makes its way up into my brain where it registers as what it is.
Case in Point, my most recent bad run. This general route I have done numerous times. I have run around town so many times I can pretty easily pick a general direction and achieve my mileage goals:
This particular route is easy to manipulate. 8 miles. 9 miles. Up to 13 miles with almost no variation to the general route. The temp was low 50/high 40, very little wind, and the roads and sidewalks were wet due to the recent rain. I had chosen this route because I was looking to get a very specific mileage (7, to be exact), but also wanted the easy option of adding more depending on how I was feeling.
And so I began. I went with the hydration pack, packed some easy snacks, and headed out. I knew going in I was sort off kilter. My Forerunner was running low on battery, and I didn't charge it which left the possibility it might not make the whole run. My earbuds had a few days worth of running on them, and I hadn't charged them either. Poor planning. On top of that I had just driven back from Home, a 5 hour drive, and then took a 4 hour nap (which I hadn't planned to do).
To say I was off kilter is probably an understatement. I believe it would even be appropriate to say I didn't want to go running. But I did. And about 10 strides in, I simply knew it was going to be a rough one.
First of all, my legs were tired. I'm at the beginning of a training cycle, and I've been somewhat lazy getting through the holidays. So there is that. But I can push through that. I have before, I will again. This is nothing specifically new.
But I knew it. It was going to be a bad run. Not just a "Meh Run". And certainly not a "Good Run". And I knew flat out this would not be an "Epic Run". Over some time, I will be cover the Meh Run, the Good Run, and the Epic Run.
B. A. D. Bad. It wasn't until about halfway through where Bad manifested itself. After all, Up until about half way this particular route is pretty much all down hill. Go figure.
And when I git the halfway spot, I felt my toe blister. Frankentoe, as it has come to be known, is the pinky toe on my left foot. This is not the toe that went "Wee Wee Wee all the way home". This is the toe that pulls out a stiletto, demands all your cash, then verbally berates you for being such a victim. And to call it a blister is not really doing it justice. My toe curls under the adjacent toe. I don't knows what this is called (but I'm sure there is an actual name for it). But when it blisters its a feeling of instant pain. And that pain continues until it ruptures, and gets juicy. And then its just plain old uncomfortable, but manageable. But this time it just hurt. The callouses have clearly gone soft. Andn its been quite sometime since this particular issue has arisen. And so It hurt. and it took the wind right out of my sails (lets not forget, my legs were already tired). But I needed 7 miles at the minimum.
Now its time revisit the downhill out and uphill back issue. Id reached that point. And my tired legs and my toe gone rogue simply said, "Enough!!!!" And I hit the wall at like 6 miles and knowing I had 3.5 to go. That's totally lame. From tmie to time I had to walk (mainly because mentally I had broken myself, not due to actual fatigue or injury). And I hate that. I feel like every passing car is looking at me, as if to say, "Jeez, look at this chump. All dressed up like hes a runner and really he's just a walker". Yes, I was doing the walk of shame.
And then I'd start to run again, and my toe hurt, and legs were tired, and I'd suddenly find myself walking a little without even realizing I was doing it.
This went on for 3.5 miles. Its mentally degrading. Its like taking a large cinder block and placing it on top of an egg. The egg might hold for a moment, but eventually it will give to the pressure. And just like a runny yolk leaking from from under the cinder block, so to was my will to fight sucked from my soul in the dark night highlighted by the bright lights of passing cars and LED street lamps.
Oh, that got a little dramatic. But such as it is. The Bad Run. Its real. I've had a few runs since then, and they have been Good, or Meh, or anywhere in between. The Bad Run will return. I am fully aware of this. And that's perfectly OK. I will persevere.
But I knew it. It was going to be a bad run. Not just a "Meh Run". And certainly not a "Good Run". And I knew flat out this would not be an "Epic Run". Over some time, I will be cover the Meh Run, the Good Run, and the Epic Run.
B. A. D. Bad. It wasn't until about halfway through where Bad manifested itself. After all, Up until about half way this particular route is pretty much all down hill. Go figure.
And when I git the halfway spot, I felt my toe blister. Frankentoe, as it has come to be known, is the pinky toe on my left foot. This is not the toe that went "Wee Wee Wee all the way home". This is the toe that pulls out a stiletto, demands all your cash, then verbally berates you for being such a victim. And to call it a blister is not really doing it justice. My toe curls under the adjacent toe. I don't knows what this is called (but I'm sure there is an actual name for it). But when it blisters its a feeling of instant pain. And that pain continues until it ruptures, and gets juicy. And then its just plain old uncomfortable, but manageable. But this time it just hurt. The callouses have clearly gone soft. Andn its been quite sometime since this particular issue has arisen. And so It hurt. and it took the wind right out of my sails (lets not forget, my legs were already tired). But I needed 7 miles at the minimum.
Now its time revisit the downhill out and uphill back issue. Id reached that point. And my tired legs and my toe gone rogue simply said, "Enough!!!!" And I hit the wall at like 6 miles and knowing I had 3.5 to go. That's totally lame. From tmie to time I had to walk (mainly because mentally I had broken myself, not due to actual fatigue or injury). And I hate that. I feel like every passing car is looking at me, as if to say, "Jeez, look at this chump. All dressed up like hes a runner and really he's just a walker". Yes, I was doing the walk of shame.
And then I'd start to run again, and my toe hurt, and legs were tired, and I'd suddenly find myself walking a little without even realizing I was doing it.
This went on for 3.5 miles. Its mentally degrading. Its like taking a large cinder block and placing it on top of an egg. The egg might hold for a moment, but eventually it will give to the pressure. And just like a runny yolk leaking from from under the cinder block, so to was my will to fight sucked from my soul in the dark night highlighted by the bright lights of passing cars and LED street lamps.
Oh, that got a little dramatic. But such as it is. The Bad Run. Its real. I've had a few runs since then, and they have been Good, or Meh, or anywhere in between. The Bad Run will return. I am fully aware of this. And that's perfectly OK. I will persevere.
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