Not sure if you've noticed, but I haven't written much in terms of weekly recaps, but that's because I haven't really been working out that much. I'd like to say that I'm still recovering- both physically and mentally, but I have really just been lazy. However, I think I deserve a little laziness for a little bit!
I took a week and a half off of running, which is more than I have usually taken post-marathon. I think this marathon was harder on my quads, and I know that it was definitely harder on my morale. I needed some time away from the pounding of the pavement before feeling ready to get back at it.
The week after the marathon:
Monday: absolutely nothing.
Tuesday: absolutely nothing. Got a massage
Wednesday: Pilates Pro-Works 1 hour class
Thursday: C2 vinyasa class at Corepower with Dustin. We were supposed to run the TC 1 mile, but it was cancelled due to the weather (a torrential downpour). It was probably for the best, as I am not sure I would have been ready to run hard.
Friday: absolutely nothing
Saturday: TRX class in NOLA!
Sunday/Mon- absolutely nothing- Recovering from food poisoning....
Tuesday: 1 hour barre class at Balanced Barre The instructor was Jana, and she was great!
Wednesday: Ran 4 miles with Matilda (dinner at Bar La Grassa for Kelly's birthday!)
Thursday: absolutely nothing (work dinner at Rojo)
Friday: 1 hour barre class at Balanced Barre
I talk a lot about training for a marathon on the blog, but what's it like post-marathon? What should you expect after the finish line is behind you?
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| Post race at the Flying Pig marathon |
- Soreness! Expect to be sore, for at least a day or two. I have an acquaintance who said she wasn't sore at all after the marathon (sorry, I call bullish*t!) Even after my 16th one, I am still sore afterwards. My recovery from the 20-22 milers during training is minimal, but something about that extra 4 miles of the actual marathon makes my legs really sore. But hey, everyone's body is different, so maybe you won't be that sore. Or maybe, you will be really sore (a little more likely), and barely able to walk down stairs! My suggestion in that case is to walk backwards down the stairs. Take the elevator as much as possible. I went with "sideways" down the stairs this time, as my quads were very sore after Flying Pig.
- Depressed... Post marathon depression is a real thing! Even if you had a great race and achieved your goal, you might still experience a little sadness that the whole experience is over, and you might feel a little lost. This is normal. You worked so hard to get to that marathon, and now its over...its a little bit of a letdown. Don't worry, that feeling will pass.
- Still hungry. It takes a little while for your body to adjust after the massive calorie burn of the marathon. Allow yourself a few indulgences, but don't go overboard.
- Tired...Well, this one is obvious. Your body went through a lot, and it takes time for it to recover. Sleep. Sleep. Sleep.
Here are some tips to help with the physical and mental recovery.
- Get a massage! I got one on Tuesday after the marathon, and I think it really helped with the recovery. It was so relaxing and it felt great.
- Take a yoga class. Dustin and I did this last Thursday night, and it helped physically and mentally with my recovery.
- Reconnect Take some time to reconnect with friends or family that you might have neglected a little bit during your training. Plan a coffee date or a walk with a non-runner friend. Grab a cocktail at a happy hour, without stressing about how it will affect your run the next morning.
- Get some sleep. Take a Saturday morning to sleep in! It has probably been awhile since you slept in, right?
- Plan your next goal race! If you achieved your goal at this marathon, congrats! You're probably pumped and want to keep the momentum going. Or, if you're like me, and you were pretty disappointed, time to move on to the next one. I think its important to take some time to reflect on what went well in your training and your race, and think about what you'll do differently next time. And then schedule your next race! (My next marathon is the Outer Banks marathon in North Carolina. )
- Ease back into it. Listen to your body, and start running again when you really feel ready.
Remember- you finished a marathon, and should feel very proud of yourself. But give yourself some time to truly recover. I know there are plenty of runners out there who are able to bounce right back, but those people are not the norm...Just enjoy this time, and relax. You've earned it!
Okay I just have to share this picture from Flying Pig...great picture right? But who is that guy on the right?
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