I had one at Springs during an hour-long training session where nothing really went right.

You know the sort of thing I mean. You try like crazy and your best efforts are thwarted.

I did interval training on the rowing machine and my times were half a second slower than normal.

I went on the cross trainer and found I was wheezing like an old man almost as soon as I started.

When it came to the exercise bike, my knees hurt like hell.

And once I got on the weights, I was as sluggish as I'd been for months.
It wasn't through any lack of effort. I just felt out of sorts all day and the harder I tried the worst it got.

But one thing I did learn was – don't get disheartened.

I toiled on and completed the full hour knowing that, while it was not the best session I'd ever had, the results would still show at the end of it.

I spoke to some fellow workout enthusiasts. They all had the same message of reassurance. "You get days like that sometimes. Just keep at it."

They're right of course.

Workouts are just like any form of life. You will have good days and bad days.

The great thing for me was – this was the one and only time where I have felt out of sorts.

To make amends, I went for a run the day after.

I choose a route along a walkway that I used to jog along years ago.

I reached the point on the run where – years ago – I would have given up through exhaustion.

I passed that point and I was not breathing too hard at all. I ran much further and then ran all the way back again.

It was incredible. A day after my sluggish performance in the gym, I was back on course.

All it took was one run to out it all into perspective.

So just remember. There's no such thing as a bad day in the gym. It's all contributing to that new, fitter you.

Next: Rowing is just oarsome.