Getting over a "bad" run

*oooh there MIGHT be a swear (or 5) in this post. Just sayin' ...

So this weekend I had my first DNS. I signed up for a half marathon ... and a few days before the small race, I had a great run. Then in the oddest of events, I somehow tweaked my back. WHAT? So I could barely walk, it hurt to roll over for god's sake. 3 days of intense sharp pain. Two visits to the Chiro. There was no way I could run. AWWWW FACK. Yes, apparently, sometimes shit happens.

And then there are those "crap" runs.

Sometimes during a training run or a race you have issues -- something in your head, and you cannot concentrate. Or you can't seem to hit your mark. Or the paths are too crowded. Or your legs feel like lead. Or you feel like you are in slow-mo. You jutt cannot hit your stride. Or as some of my TRI pals describe in races - the crowding in the water, the getting to your bike - can all be a bit much and distracting. It takes away from the task at hand, and your mind strays.

It is SOOOO irritating!

Have you ever had a run that wasn't stellar? Do you have a mind that sometimes won't STFU while you are out on a run, race, bike ride, swim?

Recently. I have read online about people asking what to do when you have bad run. Or if you run slow should you put up your "50k" sticker in the car window? Or post on the blog, since the time was "embarassing" or disappointing. Holy Cow....really????

So, how do you get over the crap run/race/ride/day?

Here's my advice
If something comes up, seems to hinder you, overwhelm or piss you off - you need to:

Put it in the Fuckit Buckit!

HUH?

Yes, you heard me.
And, well, sorry (not really) if you are offended. But if you are any sort of regular reader - or know me in person - you have heard that word  (or some variant of it) before.

Some coaches call it the mental box. Some describe it as compartmentalizing.
I prefer this name.

Whatever it is that is the issue, chuck it in that bucket and move along. Keep moving. One step, one stroke at a time. I find that during the run or race itself, this is a particularly helpful strategy. (And yes, I have used this strategy at work or in life, too!)

Sooo. Yeh. I did NOT run Saturday. I shed some tears. BUT I also knew that in ensuring I wasn't running in pain, I could have great runs the next few weeks. Sooo...in the bucket it went! There will be other runs.

Onwards. 

Upwards. 

Stay Fabulous, my friends!