If you’ve been a runner for some time, you know that not all runs are awe-inspiring. Some of them are ok, meh, or even downright crappy. And then, there’s the Bonk. The run where the wheels fall completely off the bus and there you are, any number of miles away from the starting point and looking for SOME way to get back that doesn’t involve running.

I had one of those runs this morning.

I was set for failure from the get-go. I’m experiencing the “change of season” crud. My sinuses are so full of junk that my ears feel like they are about to explode. The crud has moved to my lungs so I’m constantly coughing, especially if I take a deep breathe.

Not exactly ideal running conditions. Add to it warm and extremely humid Myrtle Beach weather, and I should have known that 12 miles was overly ambitious.

I had a very hard time adjusting my hydration belt. It kept slipping down and I was constantly hiking it back up. I realized pretty quickly that I was ill-prepared for the humidity. I couldn’t breathe well. Taking a deep breathe caused a coughing fit, which lead to a snotty nose. I ran out of tissues and water by 4 miles. I had a new brand of energy chews that were…vomitous.

Just past 5-1/2 miles I started seeing black. This generally proceeds passing out.

I wisely stopped.

Everything sucked about this run. My pace was inconsistent and frankly disappointing. My heart rate was much higher than it should have been. I planned my nutrition and hydration poorly.

And now I was MILES from home.

When I felt strong enough to at least walk back, I had plenty of time to think. And feel miserable.

Why is it that when something goes very wrong, our minds like to dwell on past disappointments? I ran through a litany of runs and races that were utter bombs. I guess growing up a Clevelander conditioned me for this. I mean, every year newscasters like to trot out “The Drive” and “The Fumble” when the Browns are stunningly lousy. When you hear this constantly you begin to believe that this is how it will always be…

THIS IS THE POINT IN MY BLOG THAT I’M SUPPOSED TO SAY SOMETHING INSPIRATIONAL.

I’ve been practicing Mindfulness on a daily basis for over a year now. I seriously doubt I’m any closer to Enlightenment now than when I started. But I have learned this. The key to Mindfulness is to be able to OBSERVE our emotions without BECOMING our emotions. In this situation, I acknowledge that I had a shitty run. There it is. This run does not define me as a shitty runner. I need to let this run go. Rest up. Lace up the shoes in a day or two and start again.

As I rounded the corner to home, I tried to think of something positive that I could take back from this morning. I looked down. Oh yah.

The best thing about my run today were my socks. Run strong my friends.