Today's late March freakishly cold temps and snow brought about the topic, "what was your worst run?" Think about it: If you live in the northeast you can likely reflect on some rather nasty runs through wind, rain, sleet, snow, ice, etc. People drive by looking out their windows in disbelief. You have crossed the line from dedication to stupidity (at the time you've convinced yourself you are simply the most dedicated runner on earth).
I have had several experiences that fall into this category. Oddly, one of the runs for me that ranks in the top 5 "worst ever" runs was in St. Louis, MO. I was living in Kansas City and coaching at William Jewell College at the time (1999) and had planned to attend a college fair in St. Louis to recruit. I was in the bulk of training for my first marathon with a scheduled 19 mile run with 15 miles to be run at marathon pace. My training had gone well, and I was excited to nail this workout. I found a 30k in St. Louis that was part of a Polar Bear Challenge Series. Perfect: a race with people to run with, water on the course to practice drinking, splits to check my pace work. I called up ahead to register... no need I was told... show up race morning and pay the $2 fee... I was told this was a "no frills" race. Just come and run.... I did just that. The morning brought 35 degrees, windy and pouring rain. I thought about trying to find a treadmill instead to have a good 19 mile workout. But, I opted to go to the race. I found myself in the lead rather quickly. There were no mile markers, no water on the course (with heavy rain and wind, I really had no desire for water so it made no difference), and best of all, no directions on the course or lead car. I made two wrong turns and both times someone well behind me yelled to me to turn around. After what I assumed to be over 15 miles (1:30 of running, assuming I was running 5:50 pace), I started to jog because my "workout" was done. Some guy caught up to me and was happy to just jog along with me to the finish. We exchanged our unpleasant feelings about the weather, race, and overall miserable moodstate. I had gone off course twice, I was shivering cold, I had no feeling in my hands or feet... I crossed the informal finish line in 1:52 for the 30k, got in my car, and drove back to the hotel to take a very long hot shower, and drank a LOT of VERY HOT coffee! I did have a good day recruiting once I regained feeling in my extremities.
As miserable as this run was, I can reflect back on the coversation with my incredible coach that followed, the silliness in my thought process through this run, the memories that took me to St. Louis, the wonderful experience I was given in Kansas City, and value the fact that I was able to run 30k.
Maybe I will write about the other 4 Worst Runs Ever... each one has rather remarkable positive memories.
