What to Do When a Race Doesn’t Go to Plan (And Why a Bad Run Doesn’t Make You a Bad Runner)
Not every race is a PB. Sometimes it’s not even remotely close. 😂
In this episode, Hayles and Jussie chat about what happens when a race goes completely sideways — and how to deal with the disappointment when you've trained hard, had a goal in mind, and things just don't go to plan.
After a slightly delayed episode and a recap of the latest training (including hills, parkrun and Jussie pushing Hayles and the pram!), we get into the very real topic of bad races.
Hayles shares the full story of a particularly brutal half marathon in wet and windy conditions, where she felt unwell, struggled with chafing and nausea, eventually vomited and needed some serious help getting back to the hotel. Not exactly the race-day experience she'd planned! 😅
We talk about the things runners simply can't control — weather, sleep, stress, illness, hormonal fluctuations, gut issues and course conditions — and why sometimes the smartest thing you can do is change the goal halfway through.
We chat about when to push through, when to slow down, when a walk break can actually be the smart choice, and when you absolutely need to stop for medical reasons.
Plus, why you should never let one bad race convince you that you're a bad runner.
We share some of our own worst-race lessons, talk about the importance of giving yourself time before making emotional decisions, and break down how to objectively look back at a race including asking yourself what actually went RIGHT.
Because one race is one day.
It doesn't erase your training, your progress or everything you've achieved as a runner. 💛
In this episode, we chat about:
- What to do when a race goes completely off the rails
- Hayles' very wet, windy and VERY miserable half marathon
- The things you can't control on race day
- Why your goal can change mid-race
- When to keep going and when to stop
- Recognising medical red flags
- Why walking is sometimes the smartest decision
- How to reset your mindset when the PB is gone
- Why you shouldn't make big decisions immediately after a bad race
- How to objectively review a race
- Finding the lessons without beating yourself up
- Why one bad race doesn't define you as a runner
- Our worst race stories and what they taught us
Plus, we share our current running recommendations, answer listener questions and say a big thank you to everyone we've met out on the run — especially those of you who come up and say hello at races. We LOVE meeting you!
00:00 Sponsor and Warmup
00:27 Podcast Intro and Delay
01:22 Weekly Running Recap
03:03 Race Went Sideways
04:23 It Happens to Anyone
06:59 What You Can't Control
09:11 Shift Your Race Goals
10:14 Know When to Stop
11:55 Reset Mid-Race Mindset
15:28 Walk Breaks Are Smart
16:44 Post-Race Decisions
18:04 Objective Race Review
19:39 Runner Identity Reset
22:27 Worst Race Lessons
24:16 Race Horror Story
29:37 ASICS Rise and Shine
30:54 Fun Goals and Rest
31:35 Gear and Gut Recos NUTRA NATURALS SUPER GUT
33:56 Listener Questions and Thanks
35:08 Wrap Up and Sponsor
Thank you to ASICS and the Rise and Shine Collection
Because sometimes the race doesn't go to plan.
And that's okay.
You're still a runner. 💛
See you on the next start line!
Hayles & Jussie
Women's Running Collective
