Post-Marathon Blues

As Menudo once said (long before most of you were born): “It hit me like a cannonball.” (Now you can have that tune in your mind as you read this.) It attacked without warning like a thief in the night. Then, it left me confused, distraught, and just plain bored with anything and everything running. It is only now that I can come out in the open and tell you:

My name is The Bull Runner and I had post-marathon blues.

I should’ve seen the signs:

I skipped the all important recovery run after the marathon.
I gained 8 lbs. in New York and I couldn’t care less about its effect on my running.
I didn’t buy anything at the Nike outlet store in Woodbury. (Sure sign that’s something is wrong.)
I procrastinated when it came to posting about NYC Marathon on the blog. And I didn’t post much the past few weeks either. Sorry.
I didn’t wake up for Run United.
I was more excited to open a bag of Doritos then to run.

Me? Post-marathon blues? Never thought I’d get hit with this. But, I did. And now that it’s over (Hallelujah! I ran on the road again this morning…and I enjoyed it!), it’s probably safe to write about it. Don’t worry, the doctors tell me it’s not contagious.

HOW TO BEAT THE POST MARATHON BLUES

Have a goal for AFTER the marathon. I did…and I still do. But, the only way I can explain why I still fell into the rut was because my goal was and still is so far away. It’s in May! I need an earlier goal. One that will not just excite me, but scare me to death. Any ideas?
Don’t force it. If you don’t want to run after the marathon, don’t! It’s better for your mind and your muscles to try other sports to maintain your fitness level while resting your overworked legs. I am so into Bikram Yoga right now. Seriously addicted.
Eat properly. A bad diet can make you feel even more lethargic and uninterested in lacing up. I wanna hit myself in the head for succumbing to the 6 packs of chips I purchased at Duty Free. Now that I’m paying the price for it (it’s all over my hips and thighs) I’m back to my regular healthy diet and I feel better mentally and physically.
Relax. Don’t overanalyze. Don’t stress over it. Don’t panic. Running is a big part of our lives, but it’s not everything (at least for me it isn’t.) So, kick back your feet (literally!) and enjoy the temporary break. Your hunger and passion for running will definitely return in no time…just like mine.

Posted on 12.01.10 to 01 Bullish Insights. Tags: Post-marathon. Subscribe to follow comments on this post. 18 comments. Add your thoughts or trackback from your own site.

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18 Responses to “Post-Marathon Blues”

and so I’d like to say… Welcome back!

Mike J. said on Dec 02 10 at 1:29 AM Reply
I totally understand this… it seems easier to fall into the rut if one has to wear so many hats … don’t you think so ?
I fell into this “rut” after Camsur Marathon and wasn’t running as much to prepare for last weekend’s marathon… finish I did, but am so afraid I will fall into the rut again…

allyn said on Dec 02 10 at 2:44 AM Reply
@Jaymie thanks for posting this – very good advice – I’ll keep in mind especially with all these races coming up!

Paul "The Pageman" Pajo said on Dec 02 10 at 2:53 AM Reply
Sign up for another race right away or better yet run another marathon the week after. That way you will have no time to feel the blues. Just be active and do not get tempted to over eat post-race.

Kenneth T. said on Dec 02 10 at 3:59 AM Reply
At last! Thanks Jaymie. This posting will me justify my actions.. Almost every single one of my running friends were negatively critical of my going back to running so soon after NYC…

mike said on Dec 02 10 at 6:43 AM Reply
Hi Jaymie! I met you in the Finishline event and we talked about my participating in TBR I ran my 1st 10k last Sunday in Karunungan and I also got post-10k blues! Although I’ve already biked after, I haven’t gotten myself to run this week. Hopefully, I get to run tonight!

Tina Zamora said on Dec 02 10 at 6:50 AM Reply
the blues are ok… it’s your body’s way of telling you you need to rest and recuperate after doing the marathon. just don’t overdo it!

glad you’re back on the road

joe said on Dec 02 10 at 7:31 AM Reply
Leading to SubIT, suggest you target smaller races in between today and May 1. Trap released it’s calendar already which you can download.

There is the Jan 23 event in Subic (they have a mini sprint last year). Aquathlon, on Feb 3 and Mar 6. STK Alabang on Apr 10. A duathlon on April 17, Filinvest Alabang.

Of course, all of this assuming that your May event IS the May event for everyone… Cheers!

Paolo Manuel said on Dec 02 10 at 8:35 AM Reply
- Start riding that bike too! Around DH!
  
  Paolo Manuel said on Dec 02 10 at 8:37 AM Reply
Just new. What is a recovery run after the marathon? Am part of TDM Batch 2 – so we should have a recovery run after the March 20 Dream Marathon too?

Can imagine. If (at least until a few weeks ago) NYC was the ultimate dream, what happens next. Well there’s always improving on time. And triathlon!

What is the May event?

Gej said on Dec 02 10 at 9:33 AM Reply
No post-NYM blues for me. Signed up for QC42, Subic42 in preparation for Condura42. That should keep me busy. Hope to see you in one of those!

Jan said on Dec 02 10 at 11:36 AM Reply
- That is what I am talking about … the sooner you get out there and start running again the sooner you get over any blues …RUN MORE
  
  Kenneth said on Dec 02 10 at 2:27 PM Reply
i can totally understand your situation, jaymie.

i had post-marathon blues also after camsur as i performed way below my expectations. my friends are wondering when i’m going to share some stories & pictures. i havent blogged about it until now and the memory is something i’d like to keep in the closet. i might write in the future, so that others can learn from my experience, but right now, i just feel great running lesser mileage (preparing for a half-mary) and doing things i haven’t done while training VERY hard for camsur before. busy work schedule partly helped. also, i got in touch and had lots of get-together with friends and relatives i’ve neglected during my training. i also have more time to go trekking, shopping, reading, watching movies etc.

rickyg said on Dec 02 10 at 11:45 AM Reply
Thanks for this post Jaymie. I had this after the Milo Marathon. I’ll keep this in mind after the QCIM on Sunday

Reylynne said on Dec 02 10 at 9:50 PM Reply
…All I can say is, I actually know “Like a Cannon Ball”…sheeesh! How old am I!. Glad your back running and blogging again.

Haste said on Dec 02 10 at 10:43 PM Reply
Good to know you’re back into running! And yes, I also know Menudo! Ha ha! Nahahalata mga edad natin!

Blas Ople Tiangco said on Dec 04 10 at 9:18 AM Reply
Whatever, you still are an inspiration to me!

Lucilyn said on Dec 04 10 at 1:57 PM Reply
hey there. i know what its like. i think it just reminds us of other equally impt things…8 lbs? thats easy, just get on the wagon again, right? You rock.

abet ocampo said on Dec 05 10 at 5:05 PM Reply