Is it normal for regular runners to have a really bad run?

[Anjelika]

I've been running for about 8 years now. Prior to lockdown I was running 1-2 times a week but now I'm working from home I'm back to going 3 times a week. I tend to do 2 x 5km runs and 1 x 8km run a week so not big distances. Set off today feeling fine and decided to do my hilly 5k route (it has 2 hills for context here). I hated every minute of it! My legs felt like jelly, I felt like I couldn't breathe deeply enough and (oh the shame!) I actually had to walk up the main hill on my route. Is this normal? Have felt fine all day so don't think I'm going down with anything. Does anyone else have this?

I've only been running since January and I have the odd day where I just can't manage my full 3.5 miles! It never seems to be for any reason either like hunger or tiredness from lack of sleep. Occasionally I start running and after about 15-20 mins I just can't carry on and start walking instead but even then my legs feel wobbly.

I’ve run for years and years and am a decent club runner.

I in my last race (a 20 miler) stoped to cry with three miles to go! My coach was pacing me and ended up having to give me a hug and bribe me to keep going by promising me food and beer!

I’ve come to terms that I will never “make” it to the level that I used to aim for, and I’ve taken the pressure off a bit. I do it because I love it, and if I have a bad run I have a bad run. I am however hugely competitive and struggle to come to terms with a bad race.

Oh my days yes. I’ve seen so many people referring to their bad runs and more saying that you can’t have good ones without bad runs to make you appreciate them!

Might’ve been a fuelling issue? Sounds to me like you needed to eat...

Your running pattern sounds similar to mine and yes, I definitely have 'off' days. At least one a month I have a run that just feels like really hard work all the way round. And about every 6 months I set off and turn around within the first half mile!

Absolutely!

It's crap when they happen, but better to have them while in training than at an event or something.

Chin up, keep running :)

Totally normal and often for no discernible reason! Like your energy just drained out of you the moment you stepped outside

Shrug it off and don't worry about it.

Yup, last week I got a stitch in the first 100m of a 5k and it didn’t shift. The really worst part, it was downhill! No rhyme nor reason, just a bad run.

Oh definitely. I often find that when I have a run like that I come down with a cold a couple of days later.

Also, do you suffer from hayfever? I notice sometimes when running at this time of year that I feel like I'm not getting enough oxygen in and wonder if they're connected (I get very mild hayfever, bit of sneezing and itchy eyes).

Thanks for the reassuring replies. Glad I'm not the only one this has happened to! I've had other bad runs before but today felt like a different level. Interesting point about hay fever. I've never had it but have had runny eyes recently (not just when running). Could be a fuelling issue but I always run in the morning and on an empty stomach. Had a substantial meal last night so nothing out of the ordinary food wise. Hopefully my other runs this week will be a bit better.