It is the Sunday after your race. There is no alarm set from the night before. Your running clothes are tucked away in their drawer instead of laid out the night before. There is no long run planned for that day. Suddenly, the adrenaline and excitement from your race have fizzled out as you realize you do not actually have to go on a run. This is a feeling I have experienced a time too many.
You spent the last 16 weeks training, prepping, pushing yourself. Race day arrived and you crossed that finish line, you officially became part of the 1%. Maybe you cried, maybe you felt an entire mix of emotions, and you rode that wave for days after. Even if this is your 2nd or 10th marathon, you could find yourself wondering what to do next.
If you’re anything like me, you might be experiencing a lingering sense of aimlessness or even going through your own version of an existential crisis. This is normal. Here are a few things that have helped me navigate it.
1.) Allow your body ample time to rest and recover. Congratulations! You did it! You just completed a marathon! That is no small feat. Give yourself some grace. Your body is a powerful machine, and it is important to return the favor and allow your body to recover properly. Personally, my body is happier when I incorporate movement. This could mean short walks, stretching, yoga or recovery runs. I also recover well when I allow plenty of time for restful sleep the week following a race.
2.) Cross train. Just because your race is over does not mean that you should stop training altogether. I like to consider the off season as “training for life”. This is where I hit the gym and focus on rebuilding muscle strength or discovering new forms of exercise that I enjoy as well. Motivation and discipline might not come easily at first, so take it slow and focus on what aligns best with your highest purpose.
3.) Maintain a base training. Maybe you ran a marathon and considered it a one and done experience. For those that are here to continue your running journey, it is important to maintain a base during the off season, so you are ready to pick it back up when the next training block arrives. I am lucky enough that my Fleet Feet store hosts Sunday long runs during the winter and spring months. We have the option to run 2 six-mile loops or however many miles we are feeling that day. Running with a friend helps the miles go by, I suggest looking into finding a run club to join.
4.) Spectate a race. If you are feeling unmotivated, there is nothing like spectating a marathon to get you excited for the next. My marathon was this past weekend, and I am heading into New York City on Sunday to cheer on the runners in the TCS NYC Marathon. Spectators are one of the main things that drives me through a race. Imagine being that person for someone?
5.) Sign up for a race. Set your goals and enjoy the process. Having an event to anticipate can help alleviate the feeling of being stuck in limbo. You’ll have a clear timeline, knowing exactly when your training needs to begin.
Remember, every runner’s experience is going to be unique. What works for some, may not work for others. Your race may be over, but your journey is far from finished.
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