Thoughts after a first marathon

KyleB65

Completed my first marathon yesterday - Montreal Rock & Roll - 4:34:28 was my official time.

For anyone contemplating a first marathon.

Find a training program and commit! I did the Running Room 16 week program and followed it almost to the letter. I would not have finished the race with out this preparation. This program gave me 2-3 group runs per week. These group runs gave me lots of encouragement as we progressed as a group week to week.

Aside from the strength, endurance and mental preparation a training program provides. Today, (less than 24 hrs after finishing) I feel fine. I have some residual pain in my toes. But I am no more or less sore than after a long training run. This is a very positive side benefit to the training. Through the program my body has adapted to the demands of distance running. So my recovery period (or at least my period of pain) is not as long or severe as it would have been had I muddled through the preparation on my own.

I will likely work with the same program for my next marathon. With an idea now of the whole training thru race demands. I will work next on pushing harder so that I can improve my initial finish time. 4:15:00 here I come.

dorianaldyn

Congratulations on your accomplishment! Sounds like you're already set on doing another one - do you already have a race in mind?

I did my first full in May ~ sounds like it wiped me out more than it did you - I probably had some residual soreness until about Thursday following the Sunday race. I remember while running the race, thinking that I needed to tell my husband at the finish line to remind me to never sign up for another full and within a week, I'd already forgotten the tough parts and signed up for my second full (which happens to be this coming Sunday). So, if it's only one day later and you're already geared up for another, that's a great sign! My 3rd full (I already had to sign up because registration opened and it sold out in less than an hour) is going to be in April '14.

CarsonRuns

Completed my first marathon yesterday - Montreal Rock & Roll - 4:34:28 was my official time.

For anyone contemplating a first marathon.

Find a training program and commit! I did the Running Room 16 week program and followed it almost to the letter. I would not have finished the race with out this preparation. This program gave me 2-3 group runs per week. These group runs gave me lots of encouragement as we progressed as a group week to week.

Aside from the strength, endurance and mental preparation a training program provides. Today, (less than 24 hrs after finishing) I feel fine. I have some residual pain in my toes. But I am no more or less sore than after a long training run. This is a very positive side benefit to the training. Through the program my body has adapted to the demands of distance running. So my recovery period (or at least my period of pain) is not as long or severe as it would have been had I muddled through the preparation on my own.

I will likely work with the same program for my next marathon. With an idea now of the whole training thru race demands. I will work next on pushing harder so that I can improve my initial finish time. 4:15:00 here I come.

Good job on a race well run!

Just so you know, when you wake up tomorrow way more sore than you are today, it's completely normal. It's called DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness).

SonicDeathMonkey80

Yah, the next day wasn't so bad... it was days 2-4 that really sucked

KyleB65

Thanks!

I have had DOMS with weight lifting. In the past I got through by getting back in the gym. Went out today and did groceries with my wife. Just to get out and walking a little. Tomorrow some light weights and yoga. Wednesday out for a 3 - 5K run with my local RR. I should be back to a "normal/regular" training schedule by the weekend.