First off, I apologize for the delay in this but here are the winners of my two giveaways:
FRS Two-10 Discovery Challenge
Kristi Lundine
Amy Lauren
Congrats! Please send me an email to saralovingontherun{at}gmail.com and I will get your prizes on their way to you both!
If you follow me on Instagram then you already know that this past week has been a struggle when it comes to running. My legs have responded a bit better than expected, but my motivation has been a struggle.
Even more so, getting myself out of bed at 4:30-5:00 AM every morning has also not been at the top of my list for things I have been wanting to do.
After my marathon, I took 2 full days off. Sunday and Monday I focused on proper recovery through nutrition and trying to walk as much as possible. Even though it is so easy for us to just want to sit and do nothing, it really isn’t the best thing for you.
Tuesday morning was my first official run back. I headed outside with the goal of 4 miles. Slow and easy.
My legs actually didn’t feel as bad as I was expecting, but they sure didn’t have the kick in them that they used to. I got through the 4 miles pretty easily and called it a day.
Wednesday morning I got up for another run, another 4 miles. This morning I hopped on the treadmill. Easy 4, nothing special.
As each day progressed my motivation slowly started to dwendle. Each morning was a bit more difficult to pull myself out of bed and get out there. If I had to run outside, I dreaded bundling up to run in the cold. If I ran on the treadmill, I dreaded the monitony.
Who was I!?
Sure I struggled with motivation off and on during my 20 weeks of training, but never this bad. Not only that but my mileage was significantly decreased so I figured it’d be much easier to get moving each morning.
Thursday I bumped my run up to 5 miles, outside again, and then took off Friday. Friday has always been my rest day, and since I could tell I was having a tough week I kept it as complete rest. I was hoping that a little bit of extra rest would help get me reset and ready to go again come the weekend.
Saturday morning my husband and I woke up and headed to the YMCA to do a run. I was hoping to get in a few weights as well. Even though I did feel a little bit more motivated, it was the longest hour ever on the treadmill. I am usually pretty good about playing mind games to get it done, but it just wasn’t happening.
I finished up the 6 miles, still very slow and easy, and proceeded to stretch a do a few lower and upper body weights until Wes was done with his run. I was so thankful for a shorter run Saturday, but I was beginning to feel the frustration build up.
We spent Saturday visiting family and celbrating my father-in-law’s birthday. It was a great distraction from the frustration I was having with my running, and I enjoyed being able to relax.
Sunday morning we slept in pretty late. We stayed up watching a movie (which we rarely get a chance to do), but it was worth it and we both knew we needed a little extra sleep anyways.
I got up, cleaned a bit, and then proceeded to slowly put my running clothes on. I couldn’t remember the last time I felt that unmotivated to get out the door. I know I always feel better after a run, but at that moment I could think of a million other things I would rather be doing.
My husband offered to the run the first couple miles with me to help get into it. About 5-10 minutes in he could tell I was struggling. He told me to slow down, relax and said “you have to take what running gives you.”
Some days running gives us the most amazing run, an amazing race, just complete freedom. Then there are days (or weeks) that running doesn’t give us much. It give us pain, frustration and a reminder to slow down and relax.
At that point I slowed my pace, cleared my mind and just tried to allow my body to go the speed that it needed to. Guess what? The next 4 miles went much better and I was finally able to just run. It still wasn’t easy, but I was mentally at a much beter place.
With the holidays coming up as well as my second week back post-marathon I have decided to take this approach to every run. I have to relax and just take what the run is willing to give me. Some days it will be a struggle and some days it will feel easy. That’s the joy and the pain of running.
Do you ever just sometimes have to force yourself to relax?
How soon do you run post-marathon?
My marathon was over a month ago and I’m still feeling this way! I think it’s normal, although I’ve never had it this bad. I think the timing of a late fall marathon plays into it, because when you accomplish a huge goal you just want to kick back and NOT push, especially when it’s cold and dark in the morning. You accomplished something huge, and there’s no need to push right now. You won’t lose it forever!
I only ran one marathon (and my time wasn’t very good), but I took a few days off and I also did some yoga after, more than running. It was crazy hard on my body and I really just needed a break… I did some group runs with Fleet Feet and stuff like that, just to get back into the swing of things, but you should definitely take all the time you need to recover and just relax and do the runs/workouts you want… or maybe cross train or do some group runs (that always helps me). It’s still pretty impressive that you’re already getting back out there and running some!
Also, I emailed you! Let me know what info you need for the giveaway.
Take a rest Sara. Your body needs to recover, and you need to recharge your motivation slowly. I feel if I don’t do this after a goal race, it will quickly lead to burnout. Even Meb takes a full month off a year and he doesn’t run and eats whatever he wants.
My marathon was early November and I have tried to kick-start my training several times since. I do have a March 1st marathon on the calendar, but I have had a nagging shin splint that will not go away even with twice a week physical therapy, massage, rolling, icing, etc. Right now I am only running about 20-25 miles a week. I will give it a couple more weeks, but may need to pick a different race for later in the spring and go to 100% cross training for awhile.
Merry Christmas – and remember – Run with joy!
Greg
I ran a half marathon almost a month ago. Ever since then I have severe ITBS that I cannot get rid of. Once I hit the 2 mile mark the pain beings. The furthest distance I have been able to run since the half was 4.1 miles. I have another race coming up on Feb 22 and I am getting worried not to mention very irrated that I am unable to run my normal miles.
Any advice??
If foam rolling the upper part of your leg doesn’t give you relief, you might want to try Active Release Techniques (ART). I have had great luck with using ART with different leg injuries. There is an ART website that you can look for a provider in your area. Chiropractors mostly have been using these techniques and some massage therapists have also started learning it. I have also heard about people using Graston Technique on ITBS, although I have never tried it. Again, mostly chiropractors that are trained in this method.
Rolling did not work for me initially and I needed someone to break up the adhesions using ART. Now I roll regularly to maintain my IT band.
-Run with joy!
There are definitely times where I have to force myself to relax. I have never run a marathon (but it’s on my list for 2016 : ) ) but after a half marathon I usually take two weeks off, mostly because my motivation has gone out the window. Kudos to you for going out and getting some miles in! Maybe try doing some spinning or some other form of cardio to keep your fitness. Whenever I switch it up I find myself missing running a lot sooner 🙂
You put not only your body but your mind and will through a tough training cycle and a “push yourself” race with great results! The mind/will need rest and recovery just like the body does, easy to forget. This is just part of the natural cycle of ebb and flow of training/racing/recovery. (and probably self-protective to keep you from coming back too hard too fast) It’s really hard to deal with it when it happens, but it will pass.
It sounds like you might need some time off from running. After my last training cycle, I gave myself two weeks to do whatever I wanted – even if that meant nothing at all. I found by the end of the second week I was getting a bit antsy to get back into training, but I really enjoyed the time off. Is there any reason you’re jumping back in so quickly?
I agree. I needed almost two weeks of complete rest to get my running mojo back.
I have been really struggling with my motivation too! It’s the post-depression blues; happens every time. My coach had me on a 4 week recovery plan, basically doing exactly what you’ve described – shorter, easier runs, some strength training, and more rest. It takes our bodies (and minds) time to recover! I think Wes is right; sometimes you just have to slow down, let your body heal, and rest.
I took a full week off after my marathon! Sounds like you need a little time off.