The Marathon Training Blog

Someone recently said to me that for a while my whole life would be divided into pre and post marathon. It seems so dramatic, but couldn't feel more accurate. Running the marathon really was that big of a deal. It's hard to explain and even harder for most people to understand, even people closest to me didn't get it and many were not at all interested in my doing it. After all, running a marathon is not on par with the usual life goals -- having a baby, getting married, etc, etc. But it was an amazing experience -- one that I set out to do so many months ago, that required a level of dedication and perseverance I've not always had in many aspects of my life, and one that few people try and even fewer will accomplish. And that is incredibly special.  I think few things in life will match the feeling.

A lot of people have asked me what the recovery was like. Well, the stiffness and pain set in almost immediately after finishing and only continued to get worse over the next 24 hours. I forced myself to take a few walks the day after which I think helped a lot. By day 2, I was much better able to get around but stairs were difficult. Also, there was a lot of swelling in my knees and spasming in my hips. I wasn't as hungry as I expected and didn't eat nearly as much as I needed to. I also wasn't as tired as I expected to be.

By day 3, I could walk pretty normally again. Stairs were still tough and I felt like my legs were retaining a lot of water, or maybe it was inflammation. I'm not sure. But they were very large and heavy. This was when I started to get really hungry and was craving Indian food like my life depended on it. I also started feeling really fatigued and spent most of my Thanksgiving weekend sleeping.

Six days after the marathon, I went for my first run. It wasn't good. My feet were killing me and I felt very tired the whole time. I ran pretty slowly and barely did 3 miles. I tried again the next day -- exactly one week after the marathon. This time was much better. I ran 4 miles, slower than my usual short-run pace, but I didn't feel like I was going to keel over, so that was an accomplishment.

I haven't been running too much since the marathon and I definitely notice how different it  is to motivate myself to run when I don't have this big deadline looming in the future. However, Steph and I have vowed to continue our long runs and I'm considering joining a running club to keep it up.

And now for the big question that everyone keeps asking me: Will I do it again? Well, at mile 23, teary and delirious, I remember saying, "I will NEVER do this again." Two hours later over fries, I'd all but signed up for the New York Marathon next year. As I keep running, we'll see. But doing the marathon has inspired me to finally do a bunch of other activities I've wanted to try forever but never have, like skiing, snowboarding, modern dance, and horseback riding. I will always keep running though. And who knows, maybe you'll be seeing jen run new york next year.

|  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this

• #4 Comment from faithfulsoles 
  3/8/07 6:26 PM | Permalink

  Congratulations on your first marathon, and as a veteran of 16 marathons, your description as to how other people did not understand is exactly right. I hope you have continued your running and are setting new goals for yourself. If you get a chance, please visit my running web site, <a href="http://www.faithfulsoles.com">Faithful Soles</a>. I have a categorized and searchable Running Blog Database with bloggers from all over the world and would appreciate it if you would <a href="http://www.faithfulsoles.com/fsblogregister.htm">link your blog</a> to it.
• #3 Comment from tl563212 
  12/13/06 8:39 AM | Permalink

  very good job..shows youre not lazy and have motivation. Keep up the good work.
• #2 Comment from tobiasdycus 
  12/10/06 4:22 PM | Permalink

  Congratulations. I have read all of your blogs and I am incredibly proud. I too yearn to run a marathon but have not had the gumption to go for it just yet. Thanks for the inspiration. Rock on!!
  Toby
• #1 Comment from bllyblog 
  12/3/06 3:54 PM | Permalink

  Hi, I've really enjoyed reading your blog and can identify completely with the pre and post marathon stuff. For me, running the marathon was the biggest buzz ever and a real motivation for accomplishing anything in life that I want - yes THAT big a deal.
  I ran my first marathon last year aged 47 and did it in just under 4 hours. I was well chuffed and I'm running my second in Stockholm in June 2007 where I'm aiming for the insane time of 3 hr 30 min!
  I've learned quite alot about marathon running and training since then so I'm reasonably confident. I've also decided to start keeping a blog. If you want to read it then go to: http://marathontrainingandnutrition.blogspot.com/
  
  Maybe see you in New York next year? I'm the guy wearing the red top!