Defeat is not the worst of failures. Not to have tried is the true failure. - George E. Woodberry
I went for another hot run today. And today I failed. I had a good plan but it just did not work out. I wanted to slow the pace down and run 6 miles in the heat. I was running just a hair faster than planned and my heart rate was in check. And then, suddenly, the run got hard. This was about two miles into the run. I started thinking about hunkering down and pushing through and finishing strong and all of that stuff. But I decided to take my own advice – I turned around early. I started walking in the shaded areas of the trace. It was hot. I was hot. I stopped and took my shirt off. I finished up the 6 mile run a mile short and a little bit slower. I failed.
Now, I read a lot of blogs and I see failures all of the time – especially lately with running in the heat. We, as a group, well; we fail a whole heck of a lot. I plan my training sessions and sometimes they just don’t work out. Sometimes these failures get the best of me. Sometimes I learn from them – like today – shutting it down – that was the right thing to do.
But why do we fail so much?
I think failure just comes with the territory. We fail because we are not afraid. We are not afraid to take a chance, to push our boundaries, to do things that we never thought we could. In our failures we are defined. Successful people look at failure as results and outcomes while unsuccessful people look at failure as permanent and personal. We grow from our failures.
Without the failures we would not have the achievements – the successes!
I so much prefer to have failed today –even on this little run all by myself that no one knows or cares about – then to have not attempted anything. The journey is the reward. The successes and failures of today are just the steps. You just have to keep taking the steps. We can do anything as long as we are not afraid.
Be fearless!
Lots of times, we fail because we try things that are hard.
ReplyDeleteThe easiest way to succeed 100% of the time, is to only take on things that you are 100% absolutely sure you can succeed at.
Great post! Very timely for me as I attempt my first HIM after weeks of training interuption.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I get mad at myself but I have learned over the years when to cut the run short. Its a fine line between pushing yourself and hurting yourself.
ReplyDeleteI gain so much more from failing a workout than completing the planned run. It fuels me that much more to achieve better results.
I agree, it is better to try and fail then never try at all. You guys have been in our news for your heat lately haha, I thought of you the other night and said man James must be getting cooked down there!
I've cut 3 out of 3 runs short this week due to the heat. I cut all three 6 mile runs down to about 4. We may have failed to meet the training goal for the day, but we lived to fight another day.
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel. Those days that fall short just piss me off. However, that next day back, when things "click" again, makes it all worth while.
ReplyDeleteKeep pushing those boundaries!
I can't run in the heat. It literaly takes my breath away t early. I know it's suppose to make you faster later, but I just can't (at least, yet). Good luck!
ReplyDeleteGood perspective on the heat! It has been so hot lately. I usually go run no matter the weather, but if I had to trade my morning runs for afternoon runs in this weather...I don't know if I could handle it!
ReplyDeleteI love you took something and made it into a learning experience, nice work, great post
ReplyDeleteI don't see anything that goes wrong as a failure, I see it merely as a chance to learn and grow from that experience. Well done you got out there and gave it a go.
ReplyDeleteI have learned that with running in the heat, don't expect to hold your "normal pace" and don't think about the heat. When my mind wanders, the running goes easier. I have been running with a bottle of water on every run now, since I sweat so much.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I think it is even harder to admit that we fail and to be man enough to learn from it is the key, I think. Nice work. It will pay off when you least expect it to.
ReplyDeletea bad day of running is better than a good day at the office
ReplyDeleteran six trickies myself this morning - drank too much beer last night for the first time in months. so i got to run feeling like crap. :-)
ReplyDeletei remember one of my favorite moments was watching a tv show and they interviewed some running back for an NFL team. "glad to be here" "thanks mom" all that stuff.
just when i thought it was over the guy said something i will never forget: "Limitations are largely a matter for habit and conventional thinking. And it is very important that you remember that."
and i have tried to. :-)
get out and hit them again. best of luck!
Yes the key is to put it aside mentally and jump right back in tomorrow or ASAP. Knowing when to back down is important, but it tends to play tricks with your head in the moments after. Ironically the next run will probably be your best ever. Good post!
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