Throughout the week following the Rock N Roll New Orleans Marathon, a million thoughts ran through my mind. (No pun intended!)
Monday morning, I was so stiff I could hardly walk. I hurt from head to toe – my shoulders were incredibly sore (I must have run most of the race tense), my lower back hurt, my hips, my quads, my calves….I was a mess. Thankfully, my orthopedic massage therapist was able to fit me in for a massage (not a “feel good” massage, either).
On Tuesday, I felt the same way – still incredibly sore. Midway through the day, another feeling hit me – a feeling of disappointment, and sadness. Not only did I not reach my goal for this race, my body hurt like I had run as if my life depended on it. Why didn’t I PR? Even just by a few seconds? This disappointment rang deep. I reminded myself over and over again that the weather played a huge factor and it just wasn’t a good race day. Every time I moved, I was reminded of my “near miss”. I was grumpy and on the verge of tears most of the afternoon, not myself at all. I tried to remember that everyone has an “off” race and that’s OK! It’s life – it gives and it takes…you have to learn to roll with the punches…
Don’t get me wrong, I had a lot of fun running this race with Nicole. I enjoyed the experience and the sights of New Orleans – I just didn’t run as well as I had hoped.
I felt much better on Wednesday because I was finally able to walk normal again. The “Marathon Blues Funk” followed me through most of the week and I began to feel better as each day passed. Thankfully, thoughts of the upcoming Princess Half Marathon lifted my spirits. I was glad to have something to look forward to, that helped a LOT. Besides, I ran 26.2 miles for the FIFTH time! That’s nothing to be disappointed about, it’s a great accomplishment, one to be proud of.
Have you ever experienced a case of the “Marathon Blues”? I hadn’t since my very first Marathon. I remember the feeling well because I compared it to my wedding. I planned…and planned…and planned a bit more for my wedding for an entire year. As my wedding day arrived, I enjoyed each and every moment….but then the celebration was over in what felt like a matter of minutes. After returning from our honeymoon, I had nothing left to plan. I was happy to be a newlywed, but the day I had been looking forward to for an entire year was behind us.
I felt the same way after the Disney Marathon, my first Full. I trained for an entire year and within a matter of hours, it was over. I remember feeling excited and accomplished, followed days later by a sense of sadness.
What did I do to fight the blues? I planned another Marathon for the following year!
Even though I didn’t exactly train for an entire year for this year’s Rock N Roll New Orleans Marathon, I still felt those similar feelings – I didn’t reach my goal and my race was over. Could I make the decision to sign up for another Full? Sure I could. Am I going to? Not right now. My IT Band worries me and it needs a bit of rest. Instead of sulking, I’m going to keep on keeping on. I have Disney’s Glass Slipper Challenge (the Enchanted 10K followed by the Princess Half Marathon) to look forward to in a few weeks…and the Cinderella 5K thrown in there, too!
Besides, who knows what next year has in store! I’m going to meet it with my head held high and a smile on my face….I’m ready, bring it!! :D
Have you ever experienced the Marathon Blues? What did you do to shake them?
I think I had a mild case of it after the Princess Half (my first half and runDisney event) in 2013. However, I quickly cured it by signing up for the Tower of Terror 10-Miler and the Wounded Warrior Half. I didn't want to feel the blues so signing up for more races/runDisney events seemed like a good idea, and it definitely worked!
ReplyDeleteEven though you didn't reach your PR goal, you still did a fantastic job! I mean, you ran for 26.2 miles - that is no easy feat!! How many people can say that they did that, and 5 times too? :0)
Thank you, Lauren. I appreciate your kind words! Disney races are perfect for curing post-race blues! :0)
DeleteI've only run 2 marathons and both were part of a challenge, Goofy and Dopey and please don't shake your head. I am old and trying to catch up to all you younger runners. I have not experienced the marathon blues and hope that condition is one I never experience. Karen, those weather conditions you faced were ridiculous and a PR attempt would have been near impossible. Be proud of your race!
ReplyDeleteHah...not shaking my head, I think you are amazing, Pam!! Thank you...I am feeling better now! :0)
DeleteI think its completely normal to feel blue after a major event that you spend so long preparing for, whether a race, a wedding, or any other major life event. I know that I came home from Marathon Weekend and after completing my first half marathon was anxious to get ready for more. I began scouring the Internet for race ideas, only to become frustrated when I realized that I can't run them as frequently as I'd like to. But that also helps to preserve the special meaning of the big events.
ReplyDeleteI agree, it definitely helps!!
DeleteI did my first marathon with a charity training group in Hawaii. You could opt for just the weekend in Kona, or you could add a few days to it. I added a few days, but the girl I roomed with left the day after the run. I walked down with her to the bus to the airport and when it pulled out, I cried all the way back to my room. It wasn't until I saw people leaving that I realized that something that had become a major part of my life for the past five months was over. I never expected such an overwhelming sadness. The only thing to do was keep going. Running became one of the defining characteristics of my life after that, but I still miss the personalities of that group of people. All you can do is plan the next one.
ReplyDeleteWow, Kona...that sounds like an amazing experience. The leaving part sounds incredibly sad...it's tough when you realize a huge life event is over! :0(
DeleteI haven't, but that's b/c I haven't run one! Lol. I am very aware that this happens though and I have tried to prepare myself for after the Princess. I signed up for a 5K just a few weeks later and I'm hoping that I can find a half in the fall to do, one that I can work on my speed and PR whatever I get at the PHM (b/c that won't be hard to do with all those picture stops! LOL). I know it's really normal but sorry you are going through it, it seems to be a process that runners have to go through at some point or another.
ReplyDeleteThat's great...it really helps having another race to look forward to!
DeleteAww, I wish I could reach out and hug you! It appears that you are not alone in this feeling! I hope you get yourself back to moving normally so you can rock the GSC next week! OMG did I just say Next Week?
ReplyDeleteYes, next week...crazy, right?! Eeeek!! I feel better now, thank you!! :D
DeleteI signed up for my Trail Half a few weeks before this Full Marathon because after Princess 2013 I learned this "Race Blues" lesson all too well. To complete this Full and be able to immediately refocus on my next race in just a few weeks helps tremendously!!!
ReplyDeleteSO smart!! Hope you have fun, Nicole!
DeleteI am dealing with the post marathon blues right now. I ran Goofy's Challenge almost 5 weeks ago and although I did well, and it was also my first marathon I have been a BEAR to be around and overall pretty grumpy. I felt sore, or off for a few days and than I just felt "out of shape" because I wasn't training for anything. We put SO much effort in to the training and as you said it's over in a few hours and than what? I am looking for races to soothe the blues but it stinks!
ReplyDeleteI know exactly how you feel. ((hugs))
DeleteI seen to get down a bit after every marathon. Sad that it is over.
ReplyDeleteExactly! I feel the same way!
DeleteI have been sad after a race and mad at myself for not reaching a time goal, but i figure I have so many more races to run and so much time left, I know I will get there eventually!
ReplyDeleteThat's very true! It just sucks to train for something for a long time and not reach the goal you were trying to achieve. Ah well...that's life!
Delete