It’s 36 days since the Melbourne Marathon. This event for many people is their grand final. It’s held up there as the pinnacle of the running calendar for thousands of people. In one way that’s a great thing because it means in the lead up, a huge amount of us are training hard for months on end. Getting fit and healthy. Becoming mentally stronger and feeling a whole lot better about pretty much everything.
Then on marathon day people put themselves through what can be life changing experiences. They achieve amazing things and everything is just about perfect.
Normally at the end of a season, and especially after a grand final, teams will cut loose big time. Training comes to a complete stop and healthy habits are broken. It can be a similar scenario after a marathon. There is often a mental let down as well as a physical one.
I was on a huge high after the Melbourne Mara and wanted to get into training for next year straight away. There was no motivational issues this time. I’d never felt so keen after a marathon. About a week later though my body started to shut down a bit. There was no real injury, just complete body tiredness. I had experienced this in previous years so I was almost expecting it this time. A quote that a mate and I often throw at each other came to mind – “This too shall pass.” – and it did. In other years though the physical has affected the mental and I have struggled for weeks to get back into loving it.
The best thing that I have found to work in keeping things moving after the MM is another event. Thousands did City to Sea yesterday. A smaller number did the Moonwalk Ultra in the Dandenongs on Saturday night. I’m signed up with a couple of legends for Marysville in a less than two weeks. After Marysville there’s a short event with the ‘Running Club’ kids from school around the Tan and after that.......well there are an endless amount of options.
In no way am I down playing the Melbourne Marathon. It’s an amazing event. I’ve done three and had tears welling up while crossing the line in two of them. If you can get such an amazing feeling by just turning up and having a crack, why wouldn’t you do it more often. Maybe not once a month, but surely more than once a year.
It is 36 days since the MM. If it’s also 36 days since your last run and you’re not injured then it’s time to shuffle. Not because you should, not because you feel you have to. It’s time to shuffle and shake off them Marathon Blues. Lock in a new event and feel that glow again.
There’s about 330 days until Melbourne Marathon 2012. That’s too long to wait.
Inspiring read Man goat
ReplyDeleteSage advice brother
ReplyDeleteHey Dave. I had been warned of the post marathon let down by my masseur. For me the Marathon was part of "Running for my life" so it was only a stepping stone in the "journey". One of my joys was actually finishing a run without tearing up. It was the closure of a long 12 months and into the new world for me. I ran again on the Tuesday after cos the legs felt great, but I think that there has been an underlying tiredness that has taken time to recognise. Ran the City2Sea on Sunday and had set my goal at a quicker pace than past runs and met that goal. I am just looking to the horizon and long term goals. I might see you on the road one day. Cheers, Michael
ReplyDeleteWell done on meeting your goal Michael. I'm heading off on an ultra up in Marysville on the weekend. Not really sure what to expect....all will be revealed in time, but what time? Hard to say when hills are involved. Would be good to share the road again soon or even a trail. Cheers and good running.
ReplyDeleteBilly Boy thanks, plus how good a word is sage....