My First Week of "Real" Running After the Marathon: I planned to be fully back in the saddle, running like I was pre-marathon, during the week of New Year's. However, my illness obviously caused me to postpone my return to running until this past week. I ran the marathon on December 14th, and I started running again on Monday, December 5th. Keep in mind that I started started back running less than three weeks after the marathon. Let's just say that it has been a bumpy ride. I did 30 minutes on the treadmill on Monday, 3 miles on the treadmill on Tuesday, 3 miles on the road on Thursday, and 30 minutes on the ellipitcal on Saturday. On Monday and Saturday, I incorporated strength training into my workouts. That does not sound like much, and for me, it isn't. However, it felt like too much! It is such a depressing feeling for me because I just completed a year of running with a great marathon, and now I feel like I am completely starting over. During my three miles on the road on Thursday, I wanted to walk. A month ago, three miles was a piece of cake. When I had a three-mile day before the marathon, it was almost like a free day. Now I am dreading even the shortest of runs. I realize that it takes the body four weeks to fully recover from a marathon. I also realize that I was very sick for a week. These things, although good excuses, do not make me feel any better about my struggles running over the past week. My initial reaction is depression and lack of desire. It is hard to be motivated when a run that used to feel good and fill me with energy is now something that I struggle to complete. David literally had to pick me up off of the couch on Saturday and force me into the gym. Once I got there and worked out, I felt better. I know that happens, but it is a struggle for my fitness to be set back so much after only three weeks. And, it is not like I did nothing over those three weeks. I was in the gym doing light exercise after the marathon and up until the time I got sick. I guess I am telling you all this because I want your encouragement. It is hard to keep myself going when I realize that the next few weeks of my training are going to be tough and much less comfortable than my training before the marathon. I have worked up a new schedule of workouts, which include speedwork, tempo runs, cross-training (I am going to try swimming, spinning & the elliptical). My goal is five days per week of workouts, like I did pre-marathon. My runs won't be as long or as intense for a while, and I just have to accept this. We've been out of town, so I haven't had much time to research this, but I am guessing I am not the only person who has completed a marathon, rested, and discovered that getting back into the saddle is more difficult than what I assumed it would be. I will try to post my training schedule later this week. In addition, I have my first session with my new trainer --Boston Marathon qualifier, blond, skinny, and way too motivated -- on January 24th, so I will let you know how she's working with me on strength training as well. Keep me in your thoughts this week -- it is going to be a rough ride -- I am doing a 5K in Houston next Sunday. I think I am going to call it a 5K "fun run" and just try to enjoy the ride until I get my legs under me again. Sunday, January 11, 2009
(Sort of) Back in the Saddle Again
My First Week of "Real" Running After the Marathon: I planned to be fully back in the saddle, running like I was pre-marathon, during the week of New Year's. However, my illness obviously caused me to postpone my return to running until this past week. I ran the marathon on December 14th, and I started running again on Monday, December 5th. Keep in mind that I started started back running less than three weeks after the marathon. Let's just say that it has been a bumpy ride. I did 30 minutes on the treadmill on Monday, 3 miles on the treadmill on Tuesday, 3 miles on the road on Thursday, and 30 minutes on the ellipitcal on Saturday. On Monday and Saturday, I incorporated strength training into my workouts. That does not sound like much, and for me, it isn't. However, it felt like too much! It is such a depressing feeling for me because I just completed a year of running with a great marathon, and now I feel like I am completely starting over. During my three miles on the road on Thursday, I wanted to walk. A month ago, three miles was a piece of cake. When I had a three-mile day before the marathon, it was almost like a free day. Now I am dreading even the shortest of runs. I realize that it takes the body four weeks to fully recover from a marathon. I also realize that I was very sick for a week. These things, although good excuses, do not make me feel any better about my struggles running over the past week. My initial reaction is depression and lack of desire. It is hard to be motivated when a run that used to feel good and fill me with energy is now something that I struggle to complete. David literally had to pick me up off of the couch on Saturday and force me into the gym. Once I got there and worked out, I felt better. I know that happens, but it is a struggle for my fitness to be set back so much after only three weeks. And, it is not like I did nothing over those three weeks. I was in the gym doing light exercise after the marathon and up until the time I got sick. I guess I am telling you all this because I want your encouragement. It is hard to keep myself going when I realize that the next few weeks of my training are going to be tough and much less comfortable than my training before the marathon. I have worked up a new schedule of workouts, which include speedwork, tempo runs, cross-training (I am going to try swimming, spinning & the elliptical). My goal is five days per week of workouts, like I did pre-marathon. My runs won't be as long or as intense for a while, and I just have to accept this. We've been out of town, so I haven't had much time to research this, but I am guessing I am not the only person who has completed a marathon, rested, and discovered that getting back into the saddle is more difficult than what I assumed it would be. I will try to post my training schedule later this week. In addition, I have my first session with my new trainer --Boston Marathon qualifier, blond, skinny, and way too motivated -- on January 24th, so I will let you know how she's working with me on strength training as well. Keep me in your thoughts this week -- it is going to be a rough ride -- I am doing a 5K in Houston next Sunday. I think I am going to call it a 5K "fun run" and just try to enjoy the ride until I get my legs under me again. 
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Yes like you said, I'm sure many other marathoners are feeling your pain trying to enter into the "workout" mode again. I can't even imagine, I do know how some days are hard for me and I don't have any excuses, it just sucks some days. You will return to great shape in no time at all. Remember you completed a HUGE event!!!! Keep up the great work---your one amazing woman with lots of determination. Good luck on your 5K and have fun with Mindi that weekend. Lori Cole
ReplyDeleteFriend, I feel for you! It's so discouraging when "easy runs" feel like such a chore! I will parrot your advice to me, "some days (and weeks) are just like that". You never know when an "off" day or week is going to hit! The good news is that they pop up out of nowhere, as do the good days, so I pray you'll be hit with a good day and week this week! Your body has just accomplished an incredible feat and gone through a sickness. It deserves to be a bit sluggish. Just remember that even though it feels like it right now, you're not starting from "square one". Give yourself a couple of weeks to get your energy level back up from your illness.
ReplyDeleteI'm so looking forward to seeing you again this weekend! Seriously make the 5k a fun run! No time pressure! Just go out there and let it serve as a reminder of all the great things about running---the races and camaraderie of other runners! Maybe it's just what you need to lift your spirits!
And can I just say that while I hate it for you that you've had a difficult week, it is super refreshing to hear an honest report that even though you're in great shape and even though you had a wonderful first marathon experience and even though you're planning on running a couple of more this year, you can still have bad running weeks and you can still have motivation problems! Good for you for being authentic about your experience!
My "marathon runner" friend said that is not uncommon at all. You had the added struggle of being sick. Just try to remember the "good" feeling you get from running (at least I've heard there is a good feeling - I wouldn't know). Keep your head up and come up with a new goal. Mine for you is to beat David!
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