No Way! A 14K Adrenalin Rush
As I was sitting on the training riding home I was thinking why I seem to fallen in a “runner’s slump” of sorts. Ever since I got back from vacation in Italy a week ago I seem to have lost my normal enthusiasm. Why?
Then I thought about my post that I wrote earlier today..”The End of the Race Season?” Good excuse, but that’s not it, it’s not the end of the race season, I have a fantastic 50K race coming up that I have been looking forward to for months!
So what’s up?? That’s what I found myself asking as I sat on the train. Why am I so “running depressed” I pondered. Then it hit me, post-marathon depression. I’ve experienced this before right after an event, hitting a low valley right after peaking out during a major race. It’s kind of an anti-climatic experience that appears after the adrenaline wears off.
Yes, I think this is the problem – it hit me harder then normal because I was worn out from the long bus ride back from Italy, was hit right away with a lot of stress at work, plus a few other things going on. Add a little frustration from a few pounds that I put on post-marathon and during my vacation, well you get the idea.
So, I did the best thing that I could do to beat the post-marathon blues – I laced up and hit the trails! I had planned on a nice easy run to meditate life and the world, but now I knew what I really needed – to RUN! So I dusted off my MP3 player, put in fresh batteries and headed out into the rain. The MP3 player acts like a turbo-switch for me, I always end up running too fast…just what I was looking for.
So I headed out over my 14K/8.7M route, the rain came down in a steady stream, and I lost my thoughts as I turned up the volume on my favorite music, Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith,…
Here are some of my splits, based on my memory:
1K: 5:45 (9:15/M)
2K: 5:25 (8:43/M)
3K: 5:00 (8:03/M)
4K: 4:55 (7:55/M)
I passed the 10K point in 50:35 (average 5:03/K or 8:08/M)
11K: 5:25 (8:43/M)
12K: 5:00 (8:03/M)
13K: 4:55 (7:55/M)
14K: 4:50 (7:47/M)
I finished the 14K in 1:10:31 (average 5:02/K or 8:06/M)
As the adrenaline continues to pump through my veins I can only appreciate that I can run and I am a runner! I can’t wait until Wednesday when I get my next adrenaline “fix”. Happy running!
Comments
Sounds like that is just what you needed. I do not like post marathon depression. That's why I always make sure there is one a month or so away that way I always have something to look forward to.
Posted by: Rob | September 25, 2006 10:40 PM
they need to start doing recovery run events for those who experience post-run blues. this way we can have something to look forward to after - you know like an alumni gathering.
Posted by: deene | September 25, 2006 10:45 PM
Nothing like a run to clear your mind. You still have the spark!
Posted by: Sarah | September 25, 2006 11:07 PM
woah!!! nice.
Posted by: brent | September 26, 2006 1:44 AM
What?!? What?!? Don't tell me there is something called post-marathon depression! I don't want to think about it...I'm going to be thrilled (right?) to have done it. I am, I really am!
Posted by: backofpack | September 26, 2006 3:51 AM
Oh yes, I do know just what you're talking about. I think that's why I'm enjoying training others for their first half-marathon, I get to refeel the excitement thru them....and of course I try to keep my challenges moving ahead so I'll always have something exciting laying ahead of me. Has this taken over our lives or what??!!
Posted by: LoraRuns | September 26, 2006 11:41 AM
way to beat the post-race blues!
Posted by: angie's pink fuzzy | September 26, 2006 8:04 PM