Dramatic? Maybe. Relatable? Absolutely.
Runners are generally tough. We can handle chafing, black nails, uphill finishes, and tempo runs in the summer heat. But every now and then, something happens that shatters our fragile little runner hearts. To the rest of the world, it’s no big deal. To us? Catastrophic.
Here are 20 such moments that feel like a full-on apocalypse—at least until we finish our next long run and forget all about them.
1. Forgetting to start your watch
You ran 6 miles and didn’t record it? Sorry. It didn’t happen.
2. Or worse… forgetting to stop it
You crushed your tempo, nailed your pacing, and then accidentally left your watch running while you were grocery shopping. Now Strava thinks your cooldown took 87 minutes.
3. Realizing you’re out of clean gear
Laundry day is sacred. Missing it is like running a marathon in jeans.
4. Your favorite shoe model gets discontinued
You’d finally found The One. Perfect fit, perfect cushion, perfect everything. And now it’s gone forever. Betrayal.
5. Chafing. In. New. Places.
You thought you’d mastered body glide strategy—until that one humid long run…
Related: 8 Annoying Runner Problems (And How to Solve Them)
6. Losing a toenail before sandal season
You worked hard for that blackened, battered toe. And now summer’s coming. Flip-flops are not your best choice.
7. Getting zero kudos on Strava
You did speedwork in the rain. Uphill. Into the wind. And no one noticed. Crushed.
8. Facing a GI emergency mid-run
You’re mid-run, miles from home, and your stomach stages a full-blown rebellion. Nature is not always on your side.
Related: Runner’s Diarrhea: How to Avoid a Stomach Disaster on Race Day
9. Getting injured right before your goal race
You trained for months. You did everything right. And now your body has decided to fall apart at the worst possible time.
10. Missing the registration deadline
You had the tab open. You were just about to register. And now it’s sold out and your dream race is gone.
11. Not getting into a marathon major
You waited. You hoped. You refreshed the email 400 times. And then: “We regret to inform you…” Heart. Broken.
12. Race postponed
You trained for that day. You mentally prepared for that weather. And now it’s next month and your plans are ruined.
13. Getting betrayed by the forecast
You checked three weather apps. They all swore it would be a sunny, crisp morning—perfect for a PR. Instead? Cold rain, sideways wind, and every soggy step reminding you: never trust the forecast.
14. Receiving the wrong-size race shirt
You signed up early. You chose your size. And somehow, you ended up with a tent or a crop top.
15. Bonking hard mid-race
One minute you’re flying; the next, you’re hitting the wall, questioning life, gravity, and whether you’ll ever run again.
Related: At What Mile Do Most Runners Quit a Marathon?
16. Ugly race photo
A race photographer caught your worst possible moment. You were adjusting your shorts. Mid-sneeze. Or maybe about to cry. And now it’s your official race photo.
17. Missing a PR by a few seconds
You gave it everything. EVERYTHING. And you missed it by 3 seconds. Time is a cruel mistress.
18. No medal at the finish
You ran the miles. You suffered. You finished. And what do you get? A bottle of water and a pat on the back. Where’s the shiny thing?!
19. Finishing last
Yes, you finished. Yes, that’s amazing. But the cones were already being packed away and someone literally asked if you got lost. Oof.
20. DNF
Whether it was an injury, heat, or your legs just saying “nope”—you had to stop. It happens, but it hurts.
Related: Why We Feel Ashamed of Finishing Last, and How to Overcome It
Runners may be dramatic—but we’ve earned the right. When you pour your heart, time, and sweat into something, even the little setbacks can feel massive. But here’s the good news: We bounce back. Always.
Even when our watch fails us. Even when our favorite shoes get discontinued. Even when we hit the wall. Because nothing feels more like the end of the world… than not being able to run.
