QT: Fight the Urge to Overanalyze a Bad Run

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Every runner has a really bad run now and then.

You are aware of this fact, right?

I wish there was a way to eliminate the possibility of a stinker every now and then, but sadly there’s not.

It doesn’t matter how far you run. How fast you run. Or how long you’ve been running.

If running is something you plan to keep doing, a bad run is an inevitability.

Fight the Urge to Overanalyze

If there’s one thing I’ve learned about some runners, especially you Type A folk, it’s that overanalyzing everything is a thing.

But it’s especially true after a bad run.

On one hand, I get it.

I don’t think any runner particularly enjoys a run that sucks from the start and doesn’t get any better.

So if we can figure out a likely contributing factor of a bad run, and address it before our next run, hopefully the next run will be a much better one.

To be clear, I’m not suggesting you shouldn’t put that level of analysis into a bad run.

If there are simple steps you can take to help set yourself up for success, or at least reduce the risk of a total slog, figure out those steps and take them!

Just don’t go overboard, ok?

The Problem is (Usually) Simple

This past weekend, my long run was a complete and utter dumpster fire.

I talked myself into grinding through about half of the planned distance, mostly in an attempt to get the dog some exercise, and then I shut it down.

Any guesses as to why I had such a bad run?

I’m convinced it was a combination of factors consisting of dehydration, underfueling, and a lack of sleep the night before.

Quite the trifecta, eh?

I’d be willing to be that when you have a bad run, the likely cause or causes are similar no-brainers.

When that’s the case, make a mental note to not be a dumbass ahead of your next run and move on.

Simple as.

But What About…

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

But what about when there is no obvious cause?

Honestly, there usually is an obvious cause for a bad run.

But in the off chance that there really isn’t?

Chalk your bad run up to simply being “one of those days” and move on.

Bad runs are inevitable. When you have a stinker, please don't overanalyze why the run sucked. #runchat Share on X

How Do You React When You Have a Bad Run?

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