Congrats on the run!!

I have never run a full marathon, but I have completed a couple of century rides and it is important to "'walk it off" after such an event. I mean, you really need to keep moving for a while to let the blood redistribute more evenly to the rest of the body. The rest of the day should be spent in active rest, meaning I'd get up every so often and just walk a little, notthing strenuous at all but keep the muscles limbered up. hope that helps a little.

Basic rule of thumb is no running one day for each mile raced. So, for a first time marathoner, you'll probably not want to do any running for about 3 weeks. You most definitely should try to walk some every day. 30 to 45 minutes. This will help the muscles recover faster. After a 5 days or so, you could even try riding a bike for a bit to help keep some of the fitness you have gained.

There is a really good chance that you will be the most sore two days after the race. Then, you should start to improve.

One tip. Walk backwards down the stairs.

I never heard about not running "one day for each mile raced". I run the very next day. It doesn't look very pretty but it's what I call a "run". hehe I dont jump right back into training hard. In fact, I avoid my crossing training and martial arts for about a week so I don't get injured. But as far as running, I try to run 75% of what I would normally do. I keep my pace slower and run a few less miles as well.

Highly dependent on fitness level. My coach always says to at least get out for a mile to loosen up the legs (unless you are injured)

Basic rule of thumb is no running one day for each mile raced. So, for a first time marathoner, you'll probably not want to do any running for about 3 weeks. You most definitely should try to walk some every day. 30 to 45 minutes. This will help the muscles recover faster. After a 5 days or so, you could even try riding a bike for a bit to help keep some of the fitness you have gained.

There is a really good chance that you will be the most sore two days after the race. Then, you should start to improve.

One tip. Walk backwards down the stairs.

This sounds nutty to me. I can't imagine taking off an entire month after a race. Getting back in the swing of things - even if I'm not very fast or strong - helps control the inevitable chemical imbalance that a long hard race brings on. If I took 26 days off? I'd be the biggest emotional wreck on MFP (which would be quite a feat, indeed). For a me, a day or two off, then back into easy workouts - preferably cross training, like cycling, swimming, or yard work. Better to gut out a difficult first day back than deal with the emotional issues that are just waiting to happen.

Again, it all depends on your level of fitness and the break is only from running. Cross training of some kind is critical. Taking extended time off isn't that uncommon though. Legat is taking 5 weeks off right now.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444032404578006274010745406.html

The best advice I've had:

Compression tights - put these on as soon as you finish the race. Live in them for a day or two - including sleeping! I actually flew to Kazakhstan from the UK the day after my first / only Marathon and I wore them in the plane. Wasn't as bad as you'd think!

Ice bath - or at least a cold bath. The best way to do this is to run the bath (cold tap only!) with you sitting in it so you don't get the shock of getting into the cold water in one go. I know people who do this in their compression tights!!! Makes an instant difference. I do this after every stressful run now.