In 2009, feeling ecstatic about running after my first half marathon, I immediately signed up for a full marathon, and continued to run all of my runs at my half marathon race pace – 9:00 minute miles. This was before I understood that running plans ideally have a variety of paces in them* (long slow distance, speedwork, tempo, and my fave – easy) and that I really, really should not be “racing” my long runs.
During one of those long training runs, I visited a beautiful local forest preserve – Grant Woods. The forest preserve is split in to north and south sections. The north section is forested and hilly,
and the southern section is mostly flat prairie.
Hee hee, it didn’t look quite like these photos then, because it was summer, but you get the idea.
I ran there once in 2009 and then avoided running there for an entire year, despite it being so close to my house.
Why?
I was convinced, CONVINCED, that the hills there hurt my calf, and eventually caused a chain reaction that caused a stress fracture in my shin, and derailed me from running my first marathon in 2009. I thought the place had bad running juju.
Yeah, 2009 Kim was not so smart. 2009 Kim was a running n00b, and did not have running friends (or read running magazines) to tell her to not race her long runs, ha ha!
After I got three more stress fractures in 2010 (not from running fast, but) from lack of strength training and wearing the wrong shoes, I finally admitted it wasn’t the fault of the Grant Woods Hills. And went back.
But every time I go there, now, I think about how I felt like the preserve had bad running juju for me, for so long. And how I let that keep me from maximizing a beautiful place to train that is so close to home!
Do you have any places you’ve deemed to have “bad running juju” (for you)? If so, why?
The other place for me is not so close to home, but it’s a place where I’ve had a bad run nearly every time I’ve gone there – Busse Woods. And I am thinking about doing a half there this month. It’s time to let that place have some redemption (although I am not sure how it could become any less boring… maybe a lot of runners crowding the path will make it interesting!).
*Ha! Not that I by any means do them – I just know it’s advised. I do most of my runs at an easy pace.
You should go run there again and break the bad juju! Do you think it is perceived as having bad juju because you were more of a novice runner making n00b mistakes? And now that you’ve got a lot more experience, that you’d have a completely different experience there now?
I don’t generally believe in bad luck etx but the 2 times I’ve paid for and joined a training group in Chicago I’ve gotten injured (2011 stress fracture, 2014 Cankle). And it wasn’t like I was over doing it with the group training. It happened within the first couple of weeks each time- while mileage was easy. Needless to say i don’t plan on doing it again next year.
I run at Grant Woods once or so a month a now, but not Busse, hee hee. But yeah, that is exactly why I felt the bad juju – my new runner mistakes 🙂
Sounds like bad timing with the running groups! But I don’t really see that being your thing, anyway…?
Hehe Yep. I joined a group when I first moved here to train for the Chicago marathon/meet friends and maybe made it to 2 long runs the entire time. I tried again with a speedwork group this spring and made it 2 weeks before the Cankle. Was trying to get outside my comfort zone by training in a group. Now I know better ;)and now for sure I know group training isn’t my thing at all…
Go to Busse!! Go run there. It will be awesome! 🙂
Yes run Busse!! I will be there too! #SchaumburgHalf 🙂
Except for the cool FF group? Or is that the group? I remember there was that one cool guy you liked to see… but that is the thing. Sometimes you go cause you like ONE person. I have realize I prefer solo or couple runs over anything larger. Hmm, do I sense another blog post coming? LOL
How can someplace so beautiful produce bad running juju lol.
I have a few trails where I have taken some pretty bad falls, I do consider it user error more than the trails fault. But I am very mindful of those sections in the future, I say in my mind “watch this section, this is where you feel that one time dumba#@”
Ha ha ha! When I run trails, I am BOUND to fall. And it’s usually cause I am not paying attention to my surroundings!
I’m pretty superstitious, so if I got hurt on a run somewhere, I’d be a little hesitant to run there again! BTW, I ran that Busse Woods half last year, and I had a great experience. The path does get a little crowded in the beginning but it thins out fairly quickly. I’m working that day this year, so I’m taking a pass. My legs are grateful, actually…
Cool, thanks for letting me know, cause I have heard such mixed reviews of this race! 🙂 Not that I will be trying to set speed records – just gauge my fitness for the marathon two weeks later 🙂
I’m not all that superstitious when it comes to places, but BOY OH BOY am I superstitious when it comes to shoes! If anything goes wrong in a particular pair of shoes, I refuse to touch them again (and often, refuse to even touch the brand again) with a 10 foot pole…which is probably a bit of an overreaction, since I’ve been injured enough times that at some point it may be time to consider user error 😉 (But man, if anyone tries to tell me I should wear Brooks or Mizunos ever again… Hahaha)
So you stop using them after the bad run? Or never wear that brand again? 🙂
Funny you mention those two brands – they didn’t work for me, either. I use Asics but would love to try Newtons or Altras.
I am not sure I have areas with bad juju but I think of races with it. I don’t think I’ll ever do Veterans again with the idea that it will be a great race. Last year, we had 30 mph winds and this year was better but not good. I was so glad I sat out!
I think I am more superstitious, as Bethany said, when it comes to clothes, shoes, even hairstyle than a route.
Go get good karma on those places!
Gah, yeah. That race is so well run but has a horrible set up. It was so windy the year we did it too! They have bad luck with that!
That is interesting that you are superstitious with clothes/shoes/hair… that’s never crossed my mind! 🙂
Yes! The St. Jude Marathon! The first time I ran it, I did the half with bronchitis and was miserable, and the second time, I did the full and it turned out to be a freakishly hot mid-70s day (in December!), so obviously I was miserable for that too after having trained in the 40s and 50s. I’m hoping Memphis redeems itself this year because I’m doing it again next month!
I hope it redeems itself too! Third time is a charm!
My bad running juju place is Waterfall Glen! I know every run I’ve done there has only made me stronger but, damn, I’d really like to not have the weather do something crappy or you know, me lock my keys in my car.
Oh gosh. Yes. That IS your bad juju place! Do you think you will ever go back? 😛
I can’t think of any place with bad running juju – plenty that have given me the heebie-jeebies though!
Noo, I don’t think I have any bad juju routes.. One comes to mind, maybe.
Ps, you’re nominated! http://www.simplerunner.com/2014/11/13/liebster-biebster/
Thanks, I’ll check it out! 🙂