The Barefoot Running Book - Jason Robillard [41]
In 2009, I had the opportunity to listen to a lecture from ultrarunning legend Scott Jurek whom I consider to be a role model mostly because of his humble, gracious demeanor. Scott embodies everything I believe ultrarunning should be. During that lecture, Scott talked about having difficulties during the race and shared that even the elite runners have extreme moments of self-doubt where they are tempted to quit.
For me, this was a major epiphany. When Scott Jurek, a world class ultrarunner, talked about bad runs he was affirming the
lows we all experience. This opened a floodgate of discussion between Shelly and me as if we had finally received permission to discuss this frequently-occurring phenomenon.
Okay, so we all experience bad runs. Now, how do we deal with the bad run? There are really two options:
Option 1: Stop. Most runners do not find this option acceptable because it is likely to cause some guilt or anxiety and they see it as a personal failure or an admission of weakness. Or so we think. Sometimes I do stop. If, after the first mile or two, it does not feel right, I will pull the plug.
Based on past experiences, these negative feelings are usually an indicator of a problem. If that problem is physical in nature, we run a greater risk of injuring ourselves. So if I feel I am not “right” physically, I will postpone the run. I may try the same run later in the day, or I may skip it altogether.
Option 2: Fight through it. This is the popular advice most other runners will give because fighting through adversity is a popular theme in our culture. We’ve all watched the film Rocky where Rocky Balboa gets punched in the head repeatedly by Apollo Creed while refusing to surrender. While it makes for a good story, how smart is it to get punched in the head 200 times in one night? Probably not that smart. Similarly, it is not always wise to push yourself when a physical or mental problem may exist.
Of course, sometimes I do push on. Occasionally the desire to run is greater than the negative feelings. If, for example, my children are especially challenging on the day of a bad run, I may push through the negativity just for the sake of silence.
It is important to note that if you decide to push on, be careful. Be especially mindful of your physical state. Try going a little slower or maybe try eating or drinking something. Dehydration or glycogen depletion can be contributing factors to the “bad run” feeling. However, be prepared to stop the run if your state worsens.
Your brain has more power over your physical state than most realize. The power of positive thought can easily turn a bad run into a good run. I will often use an oft-repeated phrase as a positive affirmation which can be shockingly effective. Here are some of the phrases I use:
“I know I am a good runner!”
“I’ve done this run in the past, I can do it again!”
“I have felt much worse than this in past runs and still finished!”
“I feel great!”
While they may sound silly, they really do work. It is not necessary to repeat the mantras aloud, though some prefer to do so. Figure out which works for you, then unapologetically stick with it.
Introducing social pressure can be another method to overcoming bad runs. If you have other people to run with, their presence may be the subtle push required to change your mood.
Regardless of your methods, always remember to be vigilant about monitoring your body for injury. This is especially true while running in a social setting. Many of my own injuries have resulted from the stupidity of trying to keep up with a speedy running partner when I was physically ill-prepared.
Barefoot Running: A Podiatrist’s Perspective
For hundreds of thousands of years, human feet have taken us from point A to point B, and only recently have they become encased, on a daily basis, in supportive footwear. Our feet have evolved to be tough and resilient. In fact, even after enduring all kinds of high-impact activity or even serious trauma, our feet often