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Run Eat Repeat

Post Race Blues

Running

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12 Dec

Last night I realized that yesterday’s half marathon is my last race of 2011. I don’t know why that makes me so sad, but it does. I guess I have gotten used to having a race to work towards, plus I feel like I had a really good year of running (for once) and I hate to see it go Sad smile And for some reason I’m not really excited about the 2 races I have planned for next year (?) so far.

In 2011 I ran one Full Marathon, seven Half Marathons and one 10 miler! That’s the most I’ve ever done in one year!!

Check out my Running Page for Recapsmonica running redlands

The key to getting over post-race blues is to look for a new goals. This does NOT have to be a running goal. You can decide to take up yoga or strength training or golf – just find a way to fill the void time that running used to take.

Most of the time I like to fill that void with frozen yogurt. And that’s okay because I said so.IMG_2991 (800x600)

But, I’ve also decided to make a few new running goals for myself.

New Running Goals for 2012:

1. Run a 10k and a 5K

My first first race ever was a 10k a million years ago. I’ve never done a legit 5k and haven’t done another 10k since! This year I am going to tackle each of these distances.

2. PR in the Half

This is a very ambitious goal because I had a “all the stars aligned” kind of day on my PR half race. That does not happen often for me, so it will take a lot of work.

But the half is my favorite distance so I don’t mind trying over and over!

3. ???

I want a good third goal, but can’t decide! Any suggestions?

I’m thinking maybe a new distance or trail running or incorporating cross training that will help?

Don’t worry, I’m not considering running naked. You’re welcomeIMG_2968 (800x600)

In other news – I FINALLY went to yoga today!!! I’ve been saying I need to go for months and finally made myself. I always feel so much better after and am glad I went Smile

After class the instructor asked me if I was a runner. I think it’s because my hips are so tight and I started doing laps around the studio mid-class. BUSTED! She said she could tell right away, not in a bad way but in a “Hey, you’re stiff as a corpse. Come to yoga more often or you’ll break in half” kinda way.

I really want to go once a week for three months to see how it impacts my tightness and flexibility. Plus, she is a really good teacher and doesn’t even stand on me like this guy… image(image source)

Ever get the post-race blues?
I get the post-frozen yogurt trip blues too and need to go back the next day to fend off depression. It’s science.

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    38 Comments

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    Comments

    1. Denise says

      2011-12-13 at 12:48 pm

      I’ve gotten the post race blues pretty badly after the Nike half in October and Vegas – just because I didn’t meet my PR goals. But I’ve got quite a few races to look forward to in 2012 so I can’t mope for long. And not to mention I’m super excited for a small charity-driven half marathon I’m doing December 26th in Manhattan Beach thanks to reading about it on a fellow runner’s blog.

      I’m a bit of a 5K addict, so I’m planning to lay off those next year partially to save money for all my planned destination races.

      The Renegade Race series puts on 3 pretty cool evening, summertime trail races in Tustin. They are listed as 5 miles (but the one I did this year came in at about 4.6 or something.) I had a great time and plan to do at least one in 2012.

      Reply
    2. Kristin says

      2011-12-13 at 12:48 pm

      I absolutely say trail running!! It’s so relaxing, easier on your body, and time goes by super quickly because the scenery is always changing. O’Neill and Whiting Ranch Wilderness Parks are both good ones but if you want to start out with something a little less deep in the woods Irvine has some great fire road type trails.

      Reply
    3. Amber K says

      2011-12-13 at 10:33 am

      I would never go to yoga again if a guy stood on me! lol

      Reply
    4. Khushboo says

      2011-12-13 at 12:18 am

      Great goals for sure! What about a non-running, fitness goal like increasing your weights or doing more strength training?

      Reply
    5. Josie @ happycorredora.com says

      2011-12-12 at 9:20 pm

      Fro yo love!! 🙂

      One goal I am thinking about is doing a relay! There are quite a few two person half marathons around so you could find a buddy and run one. Might make for a fun day 🙂

      Reply
    6. Missy says

      2011-12-12 at 7:50 pm

      Haha, I haven’t been to yoga in forever but back when I would go they always asked me if I was a runner. They always know.

      Reply
    7. Losing Lindy says

      2011-12-12 at 5:54 pm

      Ok for goal 3, I think you should find a somewhat newbie to running, oh let’s for kicks say in the western burbs of Chicago, and coach them to run more, eat better, drink less…over all just take better care of themself. Then in September come and run the half with her. It is just an idea..and you know I COULD volunteer to be that person…after all I fit all of these requirements 😉

      Ok for goal 3 (serious) my goal next year is to double my mileage. I track my miles on dailymile (they sent me an email today telling me how long it has been since I ran 8( ) I have almost logged 600 miles this year (nothing like skinny runner) but I think logging 1200 miles is completely doable.

      Reply
      • runeatrepeat says

        2011-12-12 at 6:18 pm

        If I volunteered to do that I bet we’d drink more 🙂

        Reply
        • Losing Lindy says

          2011-12-12 at 6:45 pm

          hrmmm…I would be the bad influence, nachos, pizza, beer, chocolate chip cookies, cupcakes, beer…. 😉

          Reply
          • Losing Lindy says

            2011-12-12 at 6:46 pm

            ooh and sleeping

            Reply
    8. Megan @ RunRideLove says

      2011-12-12 at 5:45 pm

      I kinda wish I got post-race blues. With bike racing and running, there is ALWAYS another race on the calender…usually the next weekend.

      Reply
    9. Shannon says

      2011-12-12 at 5:36 pm

      How about a dualthon? Or how about trying out a pilates class on the reformer machine (better than a mat class). Pilates will help your running.

      Reply
    10. Kellie says

      2011-12-12 at 5:34 pm

      I did the Dana Point turkey trot. I did the 10k by myself and the 5k with my mom. It was fun to run both on the same day.

      Reply
    11. Stephanie says

      2011-12-12 at 5:32 pm

      I had frozen yogurt yesterday and I can’t get enough! Never enough frozen yogurt yum!!

      Reply
    12. Deirdre @ Oh Well Whatever says

      2011-12-12 at 5:02 pm

      I vote TRAIL RUNNING! It is so much fun you will love it, promise. Check out http://www.socaltrailheadz.com

      I started a beach boot camp the day after my first marathon because I knew I would have that let down, lost feeling after the big race day. I didn’t do much that first day cause I could hardly move but I was there.

      Reply
    13. ashley says

      2011-12-12 at 4:40 pm

      i get post-race blues to an extent. i like the excitement of working up towards something 🙂 after my more recent race (which I just wasn’t into mentally for some reason), i didn’t feel so bad. i still ate ice cream, though 😛

      Reply
    14. Andrea @ The MF Dre says

      2011-12-12 at 4:32 pm

      XTERRA has a lot of SoCal trail races. I ran their Turkey Trot through Topanga Canyon. It wasn’t my favorite race, but they have a lot of die hard fans. You can see my review here. http://themfdre.com/2011/11/25/turkeytrample/

      Reply
    15. Sarah OUaL says

      2011-12-12 at 4:23 pm

      Goal #3 : Taste Test everyday of the Yogurtland 12 Days of Christmas froyo merriness or whatever it was called

      Reply
      • runeatrepeat says

        2011-12-12 at 4:27 pm

        Are they busting them all out today because it’s the 12th day?!?! That would be epic.

        Reply
    16. Tami says

      2011-12-12 at 4:18 pm

      I can’t say enough about yoga and trail running…I highly suggest your find a trail running buddy and give it a try

      Reply
    17. Elizabeth @ reads recipes runs says

      2011-12-12 at 4:17 pm

      I’ve never really had that feeling because I’m still fairly new to running. We should party after the Tinker Bell half since you will have PRed and since it is my first half, I technically will have too! 🙂

      Reply
      • runeatrepeat says

        2011-12-12 at 4:25 pm

        I like your prediction, but think I’m doing that one for fun 🙂 But, yes we should party!

        Reply
        • Elizabeth @ reads recipes runs says

          2011-12-12 at 4:40 pm

          It’s going to be such a fun race! I can’t wait 🙂

          Reply
    18. Rosa - Fitness Food Fulfilled says

      2011-12-12 at 4:12 pm

      I was really bummed after the Las Vegas half this year because I knew it would be last my race until I have my baby in June and can get back in shape. I finally got bit by the race bug and it’s been hard to not be able to sign up for more. But I’ve already been scouting out races I can do when I’m back (hopefully September) and will then try to do a half every other week through the end of 2012. I need to look forward to those races and getting back in proper running form!

      Reply
    19. Christine @ Oatmeal in my Bowl says

      2011-12-12 at 3:39 pm

      Okay that guy standing on that girl like that is kinda creepy.

      Like yoga – just did a yoga review of Xen Strength {vinyasa flow + weights}. It’s really a cool workout. And I am giving away one video. 😉

      goal #3: make sure to try … oh wait, that is only 12 days. I was going to say to make sure you get to eat every flavor of Yogurtland’s Yumminess. Now I wanna try the Raspberry Pomegranate Tarts. MMm… do i have a YL nearby?

      Reply
      • runeatrepeat says

        2011-12-12 at 3:51 pm

        Yeah 🙁 I missed most of the YL days. Boo.

        Reply
    20. Alicia from Poise in Parma says

      2011-12-12 at 3:37 pm

      Love the combo of yoga and running. My hips are so tight from running, my yoga teacher cracks on me all the time in class – kindly of course! I lose my sh*t in half pigeon pose and usually don’t stop twitching, but it’s one of those “hurts so good” kind of stretches.

      Reply
      • runeatrepeat says

        2011-12-12 at 3:50 pm

        I think her seeing me in pigeon is what made her realize I’m jacked up!

        Reply
    21. Amanda says

      2011-12-12 at 3:19 pm

      I kind of have the post-race blues now…I was originally registered for the Tucson Marathon, but dropped down to the half when I hurt my IT band in the fall. I actually ran the half, which was great-especailly since I thought I might walk it, but I feel a little bummed about not having run the full! No races on the horizon…time for a new plan/goal!

      Reply
      • runeatrepeat says

        2011-12-12 at 3:52 pm

        I had IT band issues in the past. Sucks 🙁

        Reply
    22. Laura says

      2011-12-12 at 3:12 pm

      After my race yesterday, I just felt relief. I think that means its a good time to back off for a little bit. I’m doing crossfit and speed training over the winter and I’ll get back to some distance in the spring.

      Reply
    23. Lisa says

      2011-12-12 at 3:06 pm

      I’ve had the post-race blues a few times. It sucks!

      Reply
    24. Ida says

      2011-12-12 at 3:04 pm

      I dont really get post-race blues, but doing a race always makes me want to sign up for more.

      Two goals for 2012 is plenty, or maybe a cross training goal to help with the others, like core work and stability exercises.

      Reply
    25. Alyssa says

      2011-12-12 at 3:00 pm

      Love the images. I say go for trail running! I tried it this year and love it so much. Or try an ultra. Those are good times too. Your half time was awesome, even if it wasn’t a PR, it was pretty freakin fast.

      Reply
    26. Heather @ Run Eat Play says

      2011-12-12 at 2:58 pm

      I get post ” thank God I finished that race without collapsing” happiness.

      Great goals for the new year!

      Reply
    27. Janine @ ThePurpleGiraffe says

      2011-12-12 at 2:55 pm

      I had a similar feeling when I realized the Santa Shuffle (my favorite race this year) was my last race of the year… but I have a lot coming up in 2012, and plan to incorporate videos from Supreme 90 Day, which will help me tone the arms and booty… Agree on the science that is post-fro-yo depression. At least it’s an easy fix!

      Reply
    28. Lizzy @ runbakerace says

      2011-12-12 at 2:52 pm

      I always get post race blues and they usually cause me to sign up for another race. I vote for goal #3 is a trail run. I have done a couple and they are hard and humbling.

      Reply
      • SpaceySteph says

        2011-12-13 at 12:33 pm

        Maybe a beach run? They do a couple beach 5k/10ks here in Texas so I’m sure there must be some in California too.
        The one I did was a nighttime run so it was cool to see the almost-full moon over the ocean while running in the dark. Sand is hard to run on so you will definitely have to work hard. But afterwards you can dip your toes (or self) in the water to cool off. That was pretty nice too!

        Reply

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