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Good Workouts vs Bad Workouts - Why?
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 2009-12-16 10:58 AM |
Veteran 353   41° 4' 36" N 71° 56' 10" W |  Subject: Good Workouts vs Bad Workouts - Why?Saturday I had my long run, 13 miles. I started like crap and finished like crap. My breathing was heavy the whole way, my legs felt tired despite a prev day of rest. Last night I had a 9 mile run. I started a little sloppy but the last 5 miles I just kicked it in gear and maintained a pace that would have put me in a grave had I tried that on Saturday. I know its the age-old mystery...Why? Why was last night so much better than Saturday? Similar conditions, but obviously countless unknowns. Why do we sometimes feel its going to be a big day and yet we perform so poorly, while other days we have modest expectations (maybe operating on little sleep or coming off being sick) and we still run like a champ? Any personal observations as to what factors play into your race or workouts? |
| 2009-12-16 11:02 AM in reply to: #2562223 |
Master 1547  | Subject: RE: Good Workouts vs Bad Workouts - Why? For me: Nutrition, Muscle fatigue, and sleep are my biggest internal culprits (meaning not weather) of a bad workout. This actually happen to me yesterday during a quick flat 3 miles. I thought I would blast through it but after 1 mile I was feeling it...upon review I determined nutrition was the culprit. |
| 2009-12-16 11:02 AM in reply to: #2562223 |
Runner | Subject: RE: Good Workouts vs Bad Workouts - Why? Training from the last few days, as well as how much I've eaten in the last 24 hours tend to be the most common factors for me. If I'm training too hard too often (or too little), I will suffer. If I don't eat enough, I will suffer. The training part is always tough; sometimes you feel like you are taking it easy, and then it turns out you're not. Could be lack of sleep, too, but that's never had a huge affect on me. |
| 2009-12-16 11:03 AM in reply to: #2562223 |
Pro 3705 Vestavia Hills | Subject: RE: Good Workouts vs Bad Workouts - Why? Hard to look for variables absent data in your training logs ... and case in point why training logs are key to understanding the trends in your fitness. That said, common variables outside of previous workouts that you did not already mention include hydration and nutrition (especially hydration). The key thing is that there is no "bad workout" insomuch as you completed the workout. In the off-season, that is often half the battle for me! |
| 2009-12-16 11:04 AM in reply to: #2562223 |
Master 2802 Minnetonka, Minnesota | Subject: RE: Good Workouts vs Bad Workouts - Why? If you are old enough, do you remember the Bio-rhythm fad? Good days and bad days.... |
| 2009-12-16 11:49 AM in reply to: #2562223 |
Expert 1118 , North Carolina | Subject: RE: Good Workouts vs Bad Workouts - Why? I'm learning the importance of RECOVERY TIME! I had some unplanned downtime prior to my first half mary and was so worried/stressed about the missed training. To my amazement, that was one of my easiest runs ever. I've had 4 mile runs that were more painful than that! Why? I believe because my body was well rested and recovered. So don't underestimate the value of sleep and recovery time off. |
| 2009-12-16 11:56 AM in reply to: #2562223 |
Veteran 207 Charlotte, NC | Subject: RE: Good Workouts vs Bad Workouts - Why? A big factor for me is the time of day. I try to do most of my training real early. If I have to wait until the afternoon or evening then I feel as if a whole day's worth of energy has been sucked out my legs. |
 2009-12-16 12:18 PM in reply to: #2562376 |
| Subject: ... This user's post has been ignored. Edited by trotpntbll 2009-12-16 12:18 PM |
| 2009-12-16 12:25 PM in reply to: #2562223 |
| Master 1996 Woodbridge , Virginia | Subject: RE: Good Workouts vs Bad Workouts - Why? For me.. I think its self induced.. Meaning i plan for a long run early in the week.. Everything goes fine until i get that email/phone call a couple day before run, asking about a long bike.. I can't refuse (at least i don't want too  ).. So, rest, nutritution, and impulse decisions make me labor harder on long runs.. |
| 2009-12-16 12:38 PM in reply to: #2562223 |
| Veteran 353 41° 4' 36" N 71° 56' 10" W | Subject: RE: Good Workouts vs Bad Workouts - Why? There is a psych element to this as well. One race I started out on the swim feeling very good and the strokes felt smooth. I looked around after about 1/4 mile and realized I was ahead of nearly everyone else in my wave. I sort of panicked. Why was I not feeling that tired? I must be feeling tired? Next thing I know I -was- feeling tired. Some people caught up before I pulled it together again. The same has happened on certain runs. I'd looked at my splits on the clock after mile x thinking "holy %$#* I'm going too fast (for me anyway), I am sure to get tired. Then I'd start thinking too much about my breathing, which for me is the kiss of death. This kind of stuff does not happen too often thankfully, but the mental aspect def plays a part. Edited by JohnP_NY 2009-12-16 12:44 PM |
| 2009-12-16 12:54 PM in reply to: #2562483 |
Champion 7233 | Subject: RE: Good Workouts vs Bad Workouts - Why? for me its two big things. first, part of its mental. second, and the larger part, is what i have done in the previous days/week. for me, picking a schedule that i can repeat day after day/week after week has done a lot more than having some big and some smaller workouts. the bigs are not a huge step up from the normal workouts, jsut enough to get a benifit from a longer workout. throwing huge days, or very very hard ones in only really helps if you are able to get out and go again the next day. yes there are times when you should do the harder workout, but by and large, you should be aiming for a training load that lets you get out on a regular basis. for me at least thats the single largest factor in my training. |
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