How long to wait to run again after Half Marathon

RunConquerCelebrate

So i am starting to look at races for next year. But I was wondering how long should I wait to run again after my first Half Marathon? The Half Marathon is going to be in March.

sjohnny

I'd probably wait until the next day. That's what I did following the two half marathons I've run so far. A couple of easy miles the next day and then business as usual.

twinmom_112002

Depends on how you feel. I was wrecked after my first, but not sore at all after my second. The difference was the amount of training beforehand. Either way...make sure you move around the day of and the day after. Just sitting around the house is going to make everything else hurt more.

One idea is to do a reverse taper after the race. This slowly builds you back up to running.

ETA: I am planning my half marathons 3 months apart. This allows me to recover and up my training between races. I need to race to keep motivated to get out the door.

RunnerElizabeth

I do a recovery run the next day. I space halfs I want to do well in 6 months apart, but I may throw in an extra here and there that I use as a training run if I think the course looks fun. I've got my 3rd half of 2013 on Nov 10. Last one was Oct. 13.

RunConquerCelebrate

Thanks for the responses I really appreciate it

55in13

I ran 3 & 1/2 days after my first half and got cramps in my calves after 2 miles. Waited another 3 & 1/2 and was able to run normally again (8 miles or so). But I pushed a little hard at the end of my half. I use Endomondo and it shows my PB for almost every distance in the last half of the run. Anyway, not sure if a short recovery run sooner would have been a better idea of if my cramps were from pushing harder than I ever had before.