complete burnout after marathon

I am in *exactly* the same situation as you are in...I have totally lost it and any distance over 5 miles is unenjoyable.

Like you, I entered to complete, not compete in a Marathon,and over achieved. I wanted to enter a fall marathon but don't know if I will actually be able to do this.

I'd be very interested to see what responses you get..I am sorry i couldn't give you any help, but just know you re not alone.

I've done four and felt that way every time.

It takes a LOT out of you. It's been such a huge focus for MONTHS and now its just...over.

Give it some time. General rule of recovery is one day per mile raced. Your body isn't ready to run yet, especially if you're not an athlete.

The desire may return

or not

I know plenty of one and done folks. It's all about doing something you like that's good for you. If it's the marathon, great. If the 26.2 isn't for you, find something else. This is your gig, make it what you want.

Just keep in mind two weeks isn't much time.

If you like the IDEA of running but need a some variety, kicking the tires on the triathlon might be an idea.

That happens to me too. I did a half marathon a couple months ago and after accomplishing that goal, I had a huge decrease in motivation. Something that helped was to set a running goal that was on the other end of the spectrum. For example I decided I was going to focus on speed for a while instead of distance. Or running on trails instead of pavement.

I think it just takes a little while to start craving that goal hitting again. Plus, it takes a while to figure out exactly what you want your new goal to be, and that can make your motivation seem kinda "eh".....in my experience

I finished my first marathon the first week of May and found myself in the exact same boat. A little of it was burn out, a little exhaustion and a little was just that feeling of being lost with nothing to train for after months of being the source of all of my focus. I am slowly regaining my desire to run, but I have not done more than 7 miles since the marathon. I am thinking of training for a fall half (not ready to do another full and not sure if I ever will do another) with my focus on setting a new PR. I think this will be the motivation I need. I still love to run. I don't think I lack the passion, just low on enthusiasm right now. But I still get out there on a regular basis. And if I am only running 5 miles, so be it. I don't really have a need to do anything more than that and until I do, I plan to just enjoy running for the sake of running.

What you are feeling is totally normal. You had this huge goal that you spent a lot of time and effort working towards AND YOU DID IT!!!

Now what?

That is the let down. You will get your mojo back it just may take a few weeks.

I agree with everyone here...after my half I was out of it for at least 2 weeks...I can only imagine running a full!! Congratulations!!

I am also part of a running group so once my break was over I had someone to motivate me...also training for another race helped. I feel sometimes if my running doesn't have a purpose then I'm not motivated to do it...whether it's a race or a physical goal.

Good Luck!

This is not the first I've heard of this, and honestly it scares the crap out of me. I've got my first 26.2 coming up in October, am working up to 50-60 miles per week, and enjoy a good percentage of those miles. Do you think it's more mental, physical, or a combination of both? I can see where the base buildup will be difficult and take a lot out of you, as well as the mental let-down after completing such an achievement.

Very curious to hear more about this.

You know I did my 1st marathon on 5/19 ~ I've had problems with motivation too. Just this morning, I woke up at 4:03 (exactly two minutes before my alarm was set to go off)... so I'd had plenty of rest, all my clothes were laid out and ready to go, I only had to do a relatively short run this morning (4 miles) and it was STILL SO HARD to get out of bed. I'm a total morning person, too. I will say, though, I felt great doing those four miles. Once I'm out there, I'm pretty happy (except for when we were in that yucky heat wave). I could tell as soon as the race was over that motivation was going to be a problem, so I went and signed myself up for another marathon. I like the coast, so I picked a coastal marathon and it turned out that I only had one week off before needing to start training again. Thankfully the training mileage starts out on the easier side - so while my legs were tired, the runs weren't doing me in. I apparently need some external motivation (in my case a looming race) in order to really get my butt out the door. I'm also planning on attempting to register for the Big Sur Marathon (registration opens in a few days for the race next April). I've been reading lots of blog accounts of that particular marathon and it's got me really excited to be a part of it. I know I'm going to totally have to change up my training for that race, so that's exciting. What others have suggested - like training for a triathlon or running trails - those things might be helpful for you. Train your body for something new and maybe you can find more joy in the new accomplishments.

Regardless - it's not a bad thing to take a little time and reflect on your amazing accomplishment!!

I ran my first marathon on May 26. I reverse tapered right after. I took 3 days off from running and ran 8 miles that first week.then 19 the next week.
I didnt want to run anymore but I took a deep breath and Then I registered for two more marathons and a half marathon. I have a focus and began a new training plan with much less miles. I was doing the advanced Marathoning program and ran 60-70 miles a week.
My PT said I can do just fine with 30 miles and more quality runs so im trying the Hal Higdons Advanced 2. Because my next marathon is in Sept I had to cut it back a couple of weeks but its great!! I actually only have a 3 miler to run tomorrow. Im so happy! I only have to run a half hour?!
So my thoughts?
The more you sit the more you want to sit. Even if you dont have a race, plan something...some goal pace or some goal distance...
I didnt wanna run but went out anyway...got a calendar... got a plan... and just got back to being me.

Congrats on your marathon!!! :drinker:

I dealt with something similar, though not exactly the same. When I started training for my first full (January 2012), my initial goal was to finish with a (figurative) smile on my face, happy that I did it. As the training progressed, I established a stretch goal of a sub-4 hour marathon. When I actually raced and accomplished my stretch goal, I was super psyched and immediately signed up for another marathon 5 months later, now with a stretch goal to BQ. I was back out running 2 days after my race; and I just kept on runnin'.

Eventually, about 2 months or so later, I was just overtrained and exhausted... basically I just burnt myself out, both mentally and physically, I'd say. I hadn't been able to recommit and train consistently until a few weeks ago. I've now (finally!) signed up for my next half in September and am eyeing a December full, but it was a long slog to get back here.

I agree with some of the others who have suggested setting a different kind of athletic goal, like a tri, a trail run, a cycling race, etc. In retrospect, I wish I had done that instead of continuing to butt my head against the wall and insisting on running. The running will still be there when you're ready for it and I think I certainly need a tangible goal of some kind to train for; if you're like me in that regard, this may be a good approach.

In any case, congrats again on checking one off the bucket list!

ETA: Of course, you're only two weeks out from your race, so I also wouldn't be too worried about it just yet... this is more something to think about if this same feeling persists.