This week’s Tuesdays on the Run topic is the HARDEST part of running. Last week we shared all the rainbows and unicorns. This week? Not so much.
Face it, running is hard. All you need to do is listen to someone just starting out. Someone who hears people like us going on and on about how great it is. The endorphins. The sense of accomplishment, yada, yada, yada.
Truth is, it’s plenty challenging and we ALL have our days when running is its own special kind of hell.
Running when it’s a humid, swampy mess out
Inhaling bugs
Stepping on snakes, or even catching a glimpse of one is gross enough for this runner
Dead legs
Black ice
Lack of motivation
Procrastination
A frozen behind
Dicey tummy
Aches, pains and niggles
Chafing
Hitting the wall
Checking out mentally
Scheduling conflicts that prevent you from getting out or racing at all
If I had to pick one HARDEST thing though, I’d go with UNCERTAINTY. Letting self-doubt creep in. A run so bad or an injury that stops you in your tracks and makes you wonder if you’ll get back to the sport. Ever. I’ve been there and it sucks. Not that we runners ever take anything for granted, but I was never so grateful as the day I got back to running after 6 weeks in the pool with a peroneal tendon issue.
How about you? What’s the HARDEST thing about running?
Uncertainty is a good one. No matter how well a training cycle may go, anything can happen on race day.
I fully understand your POV on uncertainty. I am a major control freak, type A personality, and not being to control so many things in running sometimes drives me crazy.
Definitely agree about uncertainty. Love all the other items on your list too. Inhaling bugs is awful!!
PREACH!!! I was also suffering in a pool “running” out my peroneal tendonitis last year and it was horrendous. I was so afraid the pool running would not translate to “real” running, plus it was just SO SO boring. But, it worked and I actually PR’d the marathon I was training for. I guess you could also put runners in the overly worried category as well…or maybe just this runner 🙂
Although all my injuries so far have been minor enough to run through, I hear ya!
For me it’s the uncertainty of when an injury will attack. I think I’m pretty good at listening to my body, but they still just seem to appear overnight!
100% yes to uncertainty! Coming back from an injury there’s so much self-doubt, like why do I feel so slow, when will the ITB start hurting again?! I’m slowly working away from these feelings and am enjoying my run so much more now! Thanks for hosting!
Yes. Just when you sign up for your dream race, you get injured.
I’m not looking forward to that pool running. I’ll be in touch…
I think the hardest thing about running for me is that everyone expects you to be fast. Sure, some races are PR goal races but some are just for fun. Let me have fun!
I agree with Wendy- injuries!
Running in the dark and black ice top the list for me. I hate running in the dark. I just had to do it this morning (thank you, DST) and it was terrifying!
Uncertainty is always a good one. I’m experiencing that this cycle, even though training has gone according to plan so far. But now I get to the higher miles in the schedule, so what’ll happen then? I hate all the doubt, but I am nervous.
For me, it’s the unwelcome comments from family and friends. I can only hear so many “you are crazy” from the people I love, before it starts to crack me.
and if I hear one more time the “I would run, but it’s bad for my knees” I’m must going to lose it!
For every wonderful thing about running there is at least one awful thing about running. Injuries and burnout are two of the hardest things for me to deal with, followed closely by time management issues. But now that you brought up snakes….YIKES! They are a constant thing to worry about here and the thought of seeing one while out on a run has definitely prevented me from running in the past. Ugh!
I’d say honestly weather, and dicey tummy are my two biggest issues. Oh, and the first 2-3 miles! LOL!
There are so many challenges with running! It’s hard to choose one. But, I’m thankful that I’m able to still do it. I know that always won’t be the case.
Yes. That is such a huge part. You can be working hard & running well for weeks. & all of a sudden your body or your mind decides no & a terrible run can set you back mentally further than you care to announce.
Nothing like being injured or even dealing with running pains often will put in perspective all the great things about running! I’ve said to myself so many times, Lord, if you will just keep me from hurting, I can deal with the struggle. Even with all the many reasons why running is hard, it all boils down to how bad you want it! Thank you lady for the topic and link up! 🙂
Yes to all of these! The self-doubt really hits me when a run ruins my confidence. I know I shouldn’t let one run mess with my confidence, but it does! I really need to work on maintaining my positivity and trusting in my training.
Injuries are the worst especially ones that you are told that you cannot run again. I was told that after serious ankle surgery and I was upset for 4 months. But I proved them wrong and am running as long and as fast as before.
Hardest part about running? Not being able to.
humidity and bugs and blah… yeah, I’m not a fan of running somedays!
AMEN! I hate how uncertain running is. As you mentioned, I started off the year well then mystery pains/a little injury stopped me right in my tracks. It is the worst!
I struggle with self doubt any time I’m coming back from a break or have a bad run. Ugh. It is the worst.
INJURIES!!!! uuuughghghg!
Yeah, I’d have to go with that moment when you realize you can’t take another step and something is seriously wrong. It stinks.
It’s definitely second-guessing myself. Last week I felt so sick for a couple of days before my race that I thought it was over-training syndrome again. All the doubts and uncertainties started to creep in. What if I ran and crossed the threshold into full-blown OTS and I ended up being out for six months again? It’s those moments that are hardest for me.
Uncertainty – yep you hit the nail on the head! So so true!
Not knowing if I will ever regularly run again is well a bit discouraging. Uncertainty is a perfect choice.
Running will humble you when you least expect it. I can’t tell you how many times I would feel fine and start to run and just have a struggle.
I just run for cardio & I have done a lot of it over the years & still do. I never fell in like with it so it is always hard! 🙂
There’s nothing like an injury to make you realize just how much you love running! I guess that is the one, albeit very small, perk to an injury. We’ve got to look on the bright side, right?
The hardest part about running? For me, it’s that stupid little comparison we all play (subconsciously, and otherwise). Comparing ourselves to other runners is such a waste of time because we all have different skills, goals, jobs, families, and non-running obligations. #guilty
The hardest part of running seems to always be mental for me. Especially after an injury.
Being injured and side-lined is the worst part of running (or is that not running)?!
I have a love/hate relationship with running. I hate it in the heat and I get burned out on it when I’m busting my butt and not improving how I’d like. But then, I get injured and can’t do it and I miss it!!
RAIN and WIND! Unless it it tropical rain of course!
the hardest part of running is just doing it! Once I am out the door, it is good but I can come up with 4000 reasons to do something else 🙂