Why am I such an inconsistent runner?

Question

Why do I have mentality problems when I run?! I run cross country and some days I feel great and other days I feel like crud. I am terrible runner when it comes to heat, but when it turns October I'm great. By the end of the season last year (my freshman year -I'm a girl,btw) I pr'd with a 19:40 (5k)...This year, I haven't even gone under 21 minutes. (21:30 is my SB so far.) Does anyone have any tips to make me more consistent? I hate disappointing my coach because week in and out I don't know how I'm going to run. I lose focus halfway during a race when it's hot, and I need help with that.

Answer 1

If you slowed down from last year it could be two things, either your not training as hard as you did last year, or your training too hard without enough recovery time and its burning your body out. Try to see what you did differently in terms of training during the time you ran those races. Keep a training log so that you can keep track of your times and your training. Another possibility is that you may have low iron levels in your blood, which would cause you to become anemic, which is very common in runners. I would get a blood test just make sure your iron levels are okay.

Answer 2

I learned that our body can do far more than we think it can. but we have to train it. You have to get your heart into running and set a plan to train for the next hot running season. Learn that if you look for the second wind you will find it sooner the better you train. I love it when I break a sweat and the cooling effect kicks in. Listen to your body as you run. Work on even clear clean breathing and rythum in your stride and pace. You can make your running a beautiful thing if you get your mind into it and train not to be to stiff but dont flop all over the road either. Always stretch first, and tell your self you will feel better when you get that sweat going. We all have  a few days where our bio-rythems are off. We just have to recognize it and run through it. Then think of the day when all cylinders are clicking because you trained so well. YOU WILL FEEL LIKE YOU COULD RUN. FOREVER

Answer 3

First read this http://community.livejournal.com/runners... Then understand that most distance runners don't run their best times in heat. Your speed will come back to you. Just make sure you don't lose focus. Always make the right decision. When you have to choose a drink when your out to eat, choose water. When it's dessert time, don't have seconds just because its so chocolatey. When it's 10:30 and your favorite TV show comes on, maybe you can skip it this time because you have a race tomorrow. Running is about all the little things. If you do all the little things, big things will happen. I promise.