So today, this post is less about my own thoughts, and more of a question for each of you who have had experience running a half or full marathon. I would love some input from you all!
As many of our readers know, I ran my first half marathon almost 2 weeks ago! It was a wonderful experience I loved training for it! I enjoyed so much the love for running that I gained, and the sense of accomplishment that I felt over myself after I achieved this goal. It was great!
Then I guiltlessly planned to take Monday & Tuesday of that week off to recover. I did a lot of stretching on those days, and if I didn't have to work so much I would have attended a yoga class on Monday.
Then Wednesday rolled around and I did nothing, then Thursday, nothing, it wasn't until the following Sunday, a week later that I finally did something with myself. I asked my husband to come on a short 2 mile run with me. Just because I needed some motivation to actually do it.
It was such a weird place to be because I had just run 13.1 miles, and yet didn't know what to do after that. It wasn't necessarily that I didn't want to workout, but that I didn't know what to do.
So my question for you readers, is how do you pick back up and continue working out after such a long run.
This definitely is not just a one time goal for me, I always work out, and already have my next half planned 16 weeks from now. It was just a new thing to achieve such a big goal and then continue moving forward. I am just interested to see what kind of runs/workouts you continue doing the week after a half. And, do any of you struggle with this MENTAL SLUMP as I call it??
Please don't beat yourself up for taking a week to rest! You've got to take care of yourself and listen to your body/mood. I've run a few half, but I don't really have any great advice for you - other than just do it! It's great you have your next race already scheduled. I think that will really help with the mental slump.
ReplyDeleteI just ran a half this past Saturday. In order to aid in my recovery, I took a short walk later that afternoon. I planned to run a mile before work this morning, but I decided to finish writing my recap instead. lol.
Sorry for rambling. I really just go for a walk and do light running to ease myself back into it.
thanks so much for the encouragement and feedback! his helps a lot! I think a lot of the not doing anything had to do with how busy my work schedule was that week, even after the 8am-5pm hours!
DeleteThat's a good question. I remember after I ran my first 5k, it was a HUGE accomplishment for me and I also took a week off to recover and soak in the excitement. I agree with Clarinda. Don't beat yourself up! Be proud of your accomplishment, recover and get back at it!! My first half is scheduled for 12/9. I'm SUPER excited!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the encouragement! And yay for your first half! It is such an amazing feeling to accomplish that!!! Good Luck!
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I ran my 1st Half on September 30th. I took a week off, then started back training for my 2nd half that I am running this Sunday. I understand what you are saying. I kinda miss that initial training excitement. It's not the same. But such is life. I plan to just keep running. After this half, I am taking a couple weeks to just do some shorter runs and sleep in. Then I will get back to adding in longer runs. I have quite a few half marathons in my future! I also need to add back in my Power lift class. I think the variety will do me some good.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your future races and the mental slump!
Awesome good luck this week! and yes I have 16 weeks until my next half so I'm taking it easy with fun short/medium runs and lots of weight training for the next few weeks until I kick it back into gear to start training up again!
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