Thanks for sharing. It really helps having this much detail to appreciate how your experience was.
You’ve written “I’m so disappointed with myself” and “just really annoyed with myself”.
My response to that would be why?
Nearly everything you’ve listed that went wrong wasn’t your fault. You’ve obviously had a busy few weeks I imagine as a single mum, in the school holidays with work as well. Balancing that with the running as well is a lot of deal with.
I’ve got it easy. No kids, don’t have a real job and I still find it tough at times to get things done and can struggle mentally.
So I look at someone like yourself with so much respect and admiration. It upsets me to think you can’t see that and turn it into a negative.
The fact despite all those punches you took in the build up to this, you still ran, still tried hard, and were there to support and compliment others on the team is great.
I think in moments like this it’s important to turn that self narrative around and say “Actually, you know what, I did well today, given all the shit that was thrown my way, yes the race went badly, but I’m proud I did it”.
Focus on what you can control. Going forward there’s still stuff we can work on to make you a stronger runner and old Kelly. But please, try not to be too hard on yourself, especially when times are tough.