The week following my first marathon has been strange. Runners think I am nuts and non-runners think I am nuts. I am nuts because I ran a marathon and I have the blues. Why aren't I screaming from the roof tops? I have wondered all week how to word this post but I am just going to get it out there. I am very proud I ran a marathon, YEP the full. But I am not happy with how it went down. Runners think I shouldn't beat myself up (I am not comment chasing believe me) and non-runners think I should be proud. I don't feel gleaming like I did after the Half iron but I had the blues after that race too. I finished in 5:31. Thats what I am bummed about. REALLY? Its not very fast but it isn't too shabby for the following reasons:
-IT WAS HOT. Just about everyone was slow. The other bloggers who ran had trouble with the heat too. The only guys who weren't affected by the heat were done before it was hot.
-There was a ton of runners. I just realized a few days ago that the whole race was spent weaving. Did I actually run more miles then, since I went side-to-side? I never felt a rhythm.
-I have only been running seriously for the last 2 years. I have significantly less experience and miles underneath me than the people I am comparing myself to. From miles 13-26.2 it was a PR in distance for me. My cardiovascular system has never operated at that level for that long. OF COURSE That will be a challenge. Why do we always look up?
-I am sore of course but I did it injury free. My conditioning was good. My body composition is changing at an alarming rate. I am proud of my results. I was prepared for demand of a marathon. I am training smart and I am improving at an alarming rate. My half marathon has improved by 30 minutes since the beginning. I set my marathon PR and low enough that next time I will crush it. I did the same thing for the half IM. 2010 is going be spent making PR's. I just wish I didn't set them too low to start out with...lol
-I ran it with my wife. She had some serious tendon issues that we were able to suppress enough to have her race. She did amazing. I am lucky to have such a good running partner. We did it together. I thought for the last few months I was going to have to pull her. She pulled me. Funny how things happen. Cramping sucks.
I had foreseen a post right after the race about how I go about signing up for an IM. I now wonder if that is in my cards. I have not ruled it out, I just need more time. I need some more miles under me. Running, biking, and swimming. To see if I want to make that commitment. I need some more time. I need to get faster. May be do like Karl said. Get faster on my shorter distance type stuff and continue to build my aerobic base. My cardiovascular system will get the most attention. My musculoskeletal system needs some tweaking. I want to be stronger. The last month of running I thought was affected by trading leg strength training for recovery from running. My new bike will require more core strength. I need some time to get used to the aero position. here is how the week went:
Monday-REST
Tuesday-REST
Wednesday-A glorious 1500 meter time trial. felt good to swim fast. 37:36. I did the same time trial on this day last year, 35 and change. NICE. only2-3 min slower today than a year ago when I swam 2-3 days a week for the last few months. Today was my 3rd swim of the season. I gonna crush last years time at RAGE. I would say I swam comfortably hard. I easily could have kept going.
Thursday-bike maintenance. I fixed a flat. I am ready for my first brick on Saturday. A recovery brick, helping my wife and her sister to swim open water and ride on the highway. Good to be back in triathlon mode.
Friday (today)-REST.
I am happy, not content. I am a competitor and I will do better. When? Where? TBD. Pics still to come.
“Do everything. Love as much as you can. it may hurt but it helps us grow. Give all you have...you may be poor but you will be content. Always forgive....your heart can not afford not to. Teach what you know and learn what you don't. Stay open to all”
7 comments:
This is not uncommon...
Postmarathon Blues
After a marathon, some runners will experience depression. The cause for this depression varies. Is it from achieving a goal after a long training process, then not knowing how to top it? Is it from not achieving the goal? Is it from finishing the Boston Marathon, the greatest marathon the world has ever known, and then not knowing what to do next? Or is it from depletion or derangement of neurotransmitters?
It has been documented that choline, a neurotransmitter precursor, is depleted with marathon-like efforts. Perhaps marathon efforts impact neurotransmitters, thereby having a bearing on depression in a similar way. Regardless, postmarathon blues affect many runners in the days and weeks following the race. While there's no scientifically proven approach to postmarathon blues, there are some recommendations. Again, start with proper sleep, diet, and hydration. You might try supplements, including choline, and herbal remedies. Finally, be sure to refocus on a new target. There's nothing like a new running goal to blow away the blues.
--Steve Palladino DPM
http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/fitness_articles.asp?id=259
http://coachjoeenglish.wordpress.com/2007/10/29/training-how-do-i-deal-with-the-post-marathon-blues/
http://www.trainingpeaks.com/bbs-forum/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=18125&posts=12
I think I quit running for 3-4 months after my first marathon. Don't make that mistake. I certainly had the "blues" after my run at Boston. Keep pushing forward!
The best way that I deal with the postmarathon blues is to start planning my next marathon. While I was driving home from the race I focused on how cool it was to start at Dodger Stadium, and how great the crowd support was along the course. Not running up to my expectations only makes me more determined to run better in my next race.
My advice is to focus on the positives and start planning your next endurance test. I agree with Karl....improving your 5K, 10K, and half marathon times is the best way to improve in the marathon.
Keep building those miles and that confidence...that tends to come with the miles and the milestones! You will get there.
Great post! I alwats think about every little thing after a race and how I can do better!
And you always have the best quotes- love it!
I call that passionate....not nuts...and I had the same type of response when I finished in 5.30 at Dallas White Rock Mary a couple of years ago.
Great quote, too!
Congrats!! blues are normal. Sign up for a race 3-5 months down the road so that you can enjoy your recovery and not feel pressured to train right away. The importance is on your body and properly recovering so that you can train again for that upcoming race.
When you are ready to train again, start slow with swimming and biking. This way your mind can enjoy some activity without causing great stress on the body. :)
-marn
Hi! I'm just catching up!
First of all, CONGRATULATIONS on running your first marathon! That's such an awesome accomplishment!
And the blues? I've had those even after I had a good marathon! You are not crazy :)
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