Time off after a Marathon

[goofyinohio]

Hello Everyone,

I'm just curious how much time everyone takes off after a Marathon. When do you start back and at what level?

I wanted to thank all the WISHers along the course as they and all the spectators really helped me out. I didn't wear a WISH shirt, but you all did such a great job of cheering us on and it really kept me motivated. The heat and humidity were pretty bad and that sure didn't help.

Thanks
Chris

 

[kaf7878]

My advice would be to take a max of 1-2 weeks off. I took so much time off and then would just run very sporadically for maybe 3-4 miles at most. So now I am back at total beginner level and training for a 5K (and I don't mean training for a fast 5K--I mean training to actually finish ).

So enjoy yourself the next couple weeks and then set yourself a new goal and register for another race. Honestly, having that next race booked is really the only thing that keeps me on schedule!

 

[tigger2esq]

I ran the full on Sunday and will be doing a SLOW recovery run tonight. probably only 20 minutes or so. it will help my legs thats for sure. I will probably do one more slow short jog later this week (30 minutes or so) and start back running next week. there are a bunch of 5ks on my race calendar for spring and I have my eye on the Broad St. Run in Philadelphia in April.

 

[goofyinohio]

I'm finding it mentally difficult to not go and run 7 miles like I have twice a week since the August time frame not to mention my long run. I don't want to lose the distance on my legs to wear I have to build back up to it because I want to do a half in either April (Capital City) or May (Flying Pig.) So my plan is to do 20-30 minutes tomorrow and Saturday and then starting next week do 4-5 miles a couple times a week going forward (possibly 3 times) and then do one long run in the 7 mile area.

On the other hand I do not want to injure myself so I will continue to seek opinions.

 

[JimB.]

I only ran the 1/2, but ran 6 miles yesterday at a 10 min pace. No problems. In fact, I think it helped loosen my really tight calves out some.

 

[Honeibee]

I only ran the 1/2, but ran 6 miles yesterday at a 10 min pace. No problems. In fact, I think it helped loosen my really tight calves out some.

Sorry but I must intervene here.

As your Queen, I must forbid the word "only" in front of the word "Half". If you must indicate that you participated in the Half marathon and not the Full, you must say "I ran/walk/crawled the Half". There is no only.

Repeat after me.

Half marathon. Whole race.

 

[scuba diver]

I get right back at it. No speed work. Just slow recovery runs. Will run 7 miles on Saturday. I do this for two weeks and then back to speed work on week three.

My next marathon is Breast Cancer on 2/17 so I'll have a couple of speed weeks and then time to taper again.

 

[Duanerice]

Hi All,
The MFM plan I used had me run 3 miles yesterday and will do another 30 on Friday followed by 4 miles Saturday. Next week is similar but 40 min runs followed by a 5 miler on Saturday.

I don't do another race until the second week of Feb but only a 5K. I'll run a half the first week of March.

enjoy,
Duane

 

[chimera]

I don't do another race until the second week of Feb but only a 5K. I'll run a half the first week of March.

enjoy,
Duane

Are you doing the Sarasota half?

 

[armygirl2001]

I ran the Full (6:08) and haven't done anything since other than spend a few hours walking around AK on Monday. I'm feeling really good though so I'll be going for a brisk 2-3 mile walk tomorrow and then hopefully back to running (slowly) next week and then back to my normal 3-6 miles 3-4 days/week after that. I've got a half marathon coming up in May and will be starting a 12 week training program for that the 2nd week in Feb.

Congrats to everyone who ran this weekend!!

 

[princessrunner]

I did the half (not "only" as per our beloved Queen Judy ) and I took Monday off completely, walked 40 minutes on Tuesday, took Wednesday off (if you consider housework not a workout ) and today I am going to run for about 30 minutes. I have on Tuesday, yesterday and will today, do my weight training and core work. Tomorrow is off again and Saturday is 3 miles hopefully back on pace. My Achilles insertion has been a little sore (thank you overpasses at mile 10) so I have really been taking it pretty easy.

I think you have to listen to your body here and do what feels right. If you feel like running, I would go for it myself. Me, I am just starting to think about it again......

 

[solotraveler]

I did the Goofy and I was back in the gym on Tuesday.

That said, I take about a complete week off after races to let my body recover. I'll probably hit the roads on Saturday for a nice easy run.

I think the key is listening to your body with this. If you are still sore- don't run. If you have weird lingering pain- don't run. If you still feel very fatigued- don't run. If you feel fine and think you are ready- get out there, but take it easy

Kevin

 

[Cruella de mom]

I did the Goofy and I ran 5 miles yesterday. I ran on the treadmill so that if I got tired I could just step off. My legs felt great though and I think the run actually helped them.

However, I ended up running the full much slower than I intended because my teammates had injury issues so I didn't really push myself all weekend.

I will run again on Saturday and then slip into my usual pattern (albeit with lower mileage) next week.