Post marathon letdown

[fmingo36]

So the race that I've been training for for months is over.
I usually get bummed out after returning from a trip to Disney but this seems even worse. It seems so weird to not be thinking "ok, when am I going to run today? How many miles do I need to run?, etc..." It's seems like the last 3 weeks I had such tunnel vision for the marathon.

Is anyone else feeling the post-race letdown and how are you dealing with it?

 

[Erin_Akey]

I was thinking that same thing, and then we decided to do the Wine and Dine, plus another local half in April so i have something to focus on now!

 

[Wilt Dasney]

I scheduled a week at Disney to follow the race, so my letdown is yet to come. But when it comes, I'm sure it will be pretty big with the race AND so much time in the parks since I got here.

My next goal is the DL Half Marathon on Labor Day weekend. I want that coast to coast medal bad!

 

[MKCP 1985]

No time for a letdown just now. Mardi Gras marathon is in a month, and from now until April is the busy time of the year for long races, before the heat and humidity set in.

 

[fmingo36]

I scheduled a week at Disney to follow the race, so my letdown is yet to come. But when it comes, I'm sure it will be pretty big with the race AND so much time in the parks since I got here.

My next goal is the DL Half Marathon on Labor Day weekend. I want that coast to coast medal bad!

I want to do the 1/2 at Disneyland as well. I was actually looking up airfares yesterday. That medal is SWEET!

 

[Phonedave]

I want to do the 1/2 at Disneyland as well. I was actually looking up airfares yesterday. That medal is SWEET!

I want to do Gooft / coast to coast next year.

This year I am shooting for the USA Track & Feild Phidippidies award.

It is an award for finishing a certain number of races. So planning that out is keeping me busy. The races all have to be on USATF certified courses so it takes some doing to find them.


-dave

 

[lukacseven]

I sort of always feel like the Disney Marathon Weekend marks the end of the running "season," kind of like the Super Bowl does for the NFL season. This is the first year in a while where I haven't registered for any spring races, yet.

 

[Figment82]

My next goal is the DL Half Marathon on Labor Day weekend. I want that coast to coast medal bad!

I hear ya on that! I want that medal so badly. I also signed up for the ESPN 5K and I'll be doing W&D again so I'll be kept busy (and broke!) the rest of the year.

Now my friend is trying to talk me into doing the Full next year. And I must be insane because I'm actually contemplating it... :hammer:

 

[Donald Duck]

Ditto on the post-race depressed feelings.

But, I'm registering for the Goofy Challenge 2012 on March 15th so that gives me something to look forward to.

Also, I have the NJ 100 mile ultra in March and the NJ Marathon in the begining of May.

 

[elm318]

I am totally having a letdown. I will not run any races until next years half-marathon so I am just looking forward to signing up in March. I am going back for a trip in early April so that should cheer me up!

 

[dreamfinder]

The easiest way to get around that down is to sign up for another race....... Gives you something to look forward to.

 

[joel_maxwell]

I had a major let down after my first half, but now I have learned to focus on some sort of training to improve my running. That of course, if I cant find a race to prepare for. After the second and third, it was a little easier. Granted, those were halves. Now, im going for a full and as we all know, the dedication and mileage are crazy, especially during the week.

With that said, I fully expect to have a big let down after this one. I have to get my butt in gear after about 24 hours of the full since I have another half in about 40 days.

 

[Texas84]

Yep, get registered for another! I'm doing another half this weekend, then going to slow down for a few months (nothing over 10 miles) until I start the Galloway full training plan to get ready for next January.

 

[Erin_Akey]

No time for a letdown just now. Mardi Gras marathon is in a month, and from now until April is the busy time of the year for long races, before the heat and humidity set in.

Mardi Gras? Do you live somewhere where there is Mardi Gras??? I am from New orleans and now live in the city that started Mardi Gras! We LOVE it. Hubby is in a Mardi Gras org and then after his parade and ball we head to Disney for actual Mardi Gras day! (and my birthday)

 

[joel_maxwell]

Mardi Gras? Do you live somewhere where there is Mardi Gras??? I am from New orleans and now live in the city that started Mardi Gras! We LOVE it. Hubby is in a Mardi Gras org and then after his parade and ball we head to Disney for actual Mardi Gras day! (and my birthday)

Hey Erin,
my wife and I have done Mobile Mardi Gras (the original as you well know) and love it. We have friends that live in Mobile. We have missed the last 2 years unfortunately. I think Doug is referring to the N.O. Rock n Roll Series. He tried to recruit me to do it, but our local Mercedes is the same weekend. If you come up for that Feb 13th, let me know. :wave:

 

[Erin_Akey]

Hey Erin,
my wife and I have done Mobile Mardi Gras (the original as you well know) and love it. We have friends that live in Mobile. We have missed the last 2 years unfortunately. I think Doug is referring to the N.O. Rock n Roll Series. He tried to recruit me to do it, but our local Mercedes is the same weekend. If you come up for that Feb 13th, let me know. :wave:

You guys should come do Mobile Mardi Gras again! My husband is in INCAs....

We just saw about that Mercedes race. A little too soon for us, but maybe next year!

Our next half will be the Renaissance at Colony Park in Ridgeland MS. Did the 5k last year, going for the half this year!

 

[JillC LI]

I've been waiting for someone to post a message like this. It always comes after you've worked so hard for something, poured your heart and soul into it, and then suddenly it's over. Like other have said, the best thing to do is pick a new goal. Perhaps pick a different distance so that you can mix up your training regime. But trust me, the post-race let-down will pass and you'll just be left with your pride of accomplishment and whatever new goals you set for yourself. Of course running for the enjoyment or health-aspects of running without have any races on the immediate horizon is a worthy goal as well.

 

[MKCP 1985]

Mardi Gras? Do you live somewhere where there is Mardi Gras??? I am from New orleans and now live in the city that started Mardi Gras! We LOVE it. Hubby is in a Mardi Gras org and then after his parade and ball we head to Disney for actual Mardi Gras day! (and my birthday)

Hey Erin,
my wife and I have done Mobile Mardi Gras (the original as you well know) and love it. We have friends that live in Mobile. We have missed the last 2 years unfortunately. I think Doug is referring to the N.O. Rock n Roll Series. He tried to recruit me to do it, but our local Mercedes is the same weekend. If you come up for that Feb 13th, let me know. :wave:

There are several good races from now until the end of spring in the New Orleans area. As Joel mentioned, I am running the Rock and Roll Mardi Gras marathon on Feb 13. I have also done the Bubba Gump 5K race which is probably the most fun 5K race in town, with a catered party at Bubba Gump at the end!

Will I see you at the Azalea Trail Run? I did that one for the first time last year and will definitely be back!

 

[fmingo36]

I'm from central NJ, so unfortunately this is not the best time to find other races to sign up for. There are a few 5Ks here and there but nothing worth getting excited about. I would love to do some of the ones other members listed (especially the one in New Orleans) but I don't have the extra $$$ for the traveling expenses.

 

[lukacseven]

I'm from central NJ, so unfortunately this is not the best time to find other races to sign up for. There are a few 5Ks here and there but nothing worth getting excited about. I would love to do some of the ones other members listed (especially the one in New Orleans) but I don't have the extra $$$ for the traveling expenses.

Check out the Ocean Drive Marathon - they also have a 10 miler. I think it's usually the 3rd week in March. I've run it a few times, and it's always rained and been in the 40's. Course starts in Cape May. The 10 Miler finishes in Wildwood on the boardwalk and the Marathon goes through to Sea Isle.

The last week in April is the Lehigh Valley Half-marathon (Allentown, PA). This is a road/trail race with some nice scenery and a stadium finish and some great post race refreshments.

May 1 is the Broad Street Run. Registration opens 01/15 (tomorrow). 10 miles downhill through center city Philly. 30,000 runners.