Running doesn’t always go the way you planned it to go. Nothing is guaranteed in the sport. Bad races can and will happen, no matter what level you’re at. Here are some ways to deal with bad competitions: 1️⃣: PROCESS/ACCEPT: Take a bit of time to process how the race went and accept the results. A good rule of thumb is to give yourself a day. This may look like taking extra rest, such as running a little less to recover, or talking about it with your coach or family members. Writing down how you felt about the race also helps the emotion not build up. 2️⃣: BE ACTIVE: You may feel like isolating yourself or not doing anything because you performed poorly. This may amplify your feelings and make you feel worse. Try to run easy the next few days and really focus on sleep and nutrition. The better those things are taken care of, the easier it is to bounce back. 3️⃣: MOVE ON: It’s okay to be upset about a competition, but it’s not okay to stay upset forever. After you’ve taken a day, ...