Do you get the post-race blues? I know they’re a thing, but it’s amazing the mixed feelings I get after a race. While it’s somewhat freeing to know I can just run whatever I want when I wake up in the morning and not have to stress about when I’m going to do my long run, etc. that feeling quickly gives away to sadness about my big event being over.
This week I spent most of the time recovering. My hip and knee was sore after Sunday’s race, so I tried to keep it easy, get back into my weight training, do some walks and light running, and just stay sane. Here’s what a recovery week looked like for me:
Sunday: Half marathon! – I shared my race recap here last week, but here’s the 2 second summary: I didn’t feel great the first few miles but then decided to just have fun and enjoy the crowds, moments, etc. and had a great time, evening getting my official post-partum PR of 2:02:22 (I’ve run faster than that for a half marathon but this was the fastest officially timed half of that time). Here are some photos in my Instagram reel:
Monday: Chest and tricep workout, core workout, 1 mile SLOW running – I was tired Monday morning, but glad to get in a normal weight workout. I hopped on the treadmill for a slow jog to shake out my legs and they were sore! I then got in some walking.
Tuesday: Shoulder and leg workout, core workout, workout; started leg day and short core workout, plus 2.21 mile walk/run and then 2 mile treadmill walk – Another easy recovery day. I kept in some weights, and some movement, but overall, pretty minimal.
Wednesday: Back and bicep workout, core workout, 2.51 treadmill miles, 3.25 treadmill walk while working – My legs were feeling a little tired still, so I continued to focus on my upper body and core strength and then kept it easy on my legs.
Thursday: 3.5 miles on the treadmill, core and leg workout – I was tired but my legs were feeling pretty good! It was 50 and pouring rain when I woke up, so after I did my leg workout (I had been debating skipping this week as part of my recovery efforts, but everything felt okay today), I hopped on the treadmill for a few miles before starting a day in the office and then 7 hours in the car. We did get in a stop at Bucees to see what the hype is! I’ve never been to one but have always heard of them.
Friday: 3.5 miles run/walk on the treadmill, some tricep and chest workout, some miles walking around Knoxville – We got into Knoxville around 1:30 a.m., got to bed around an hour later, and of course the kids still woke up by 7:30. So I was tired, but glad to be able to get in a workout at a great hotel gym. I was the only one in there and having the place to myself meant I could run and lift for a little before meeting back up with the family for a walk around downtown Knoxville.
Then we were back in the car for 5 more hours. We did stop in a Bucees along the way just to see what the hype was all about. Wow they’re something! Each kid left with something small, too.
Saturday: 4.56 miles outdoor run, pool time and pickleball – We went to bed in Atlanta close to 2 a.m. again, and I got up around 7 a.m., so again I was beat! But we had a big day planned– it was my daughter’s 7th birthday! I got in an early run around where we were and then met up with the family for all the activities my daughter wanted to do to celebrate — pickleball, swimming, mani/Pedi, and a Braves game.
Total: 30.51 miles running plus weights
- How long do you recover after a race?
- Have you ever been to Bucees?
I am linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down.
I Crashed The Web 
I’m exhausted just reading about how little sleep you’ve been getting on this trip, but then I’m already tired after not getting to bed last night until 11:20 and getting up this morning at 5.
Happy birthday to your daughter! I’m fascinated that she requested seeing a Braves game since you live in Cleveland. I might have guessed that the Guardians would be her favorite MLB team.
she does love the Guardians, but we try to go to an MLB game in most cities we go to – she’s a willing participant!
I always had the ‘blues’–or more of a kind of feeling lost thing–after a marathon. I guess that means it’s time to plan for another race!
Enjoy your trip with the kids! I’ve never been to Bucees–there aren’t any around here, although I saw one being built in our area. I’ll have to check it out.
There are many wonderful blogger and blog moments, but my Buccees care package from Jenn is forever up there, and every time I use the cup I text her. Never been myself. Congratulations on the race time.I absolutely feel you on the race hangover. Safe travels!
ooh Bucees care package sounds great!! How fun! They have so many fun things you could make quite the care package.
It doesn’t sound like you got much recovery in your “recovery” week! That sounds exhausting. But- happy birthday to your daughter. It sounds like a really fun trip. To answer your question, I’ve never been to a Bucees but I know it’s a big thing. We passed a couple when we were driving around Texas last week and my daughter was mad that we didn’t stop. I mean… why would we stop at Bucees unless we had kids along? Doesn’t seem like a grownup place.
i hope you get some sleep tonight! Oh, and congrats on your race- that’s an awesome post-partum PR.
Kids just don’t know how to sleep in 🙂 I’ve never been to Bucees. Had the chance but passed on that. We did go to the Iowa 80 Truckstop which is huge, so I figured it was similar! My race week recovery usually does not involve any running. My body needs the rest! Glad you are feeling so good post race. Hope you find another race to put on the schedule and give you something to look forward to!
That’s a quite active recovery week – back to legs already on the Tuesday? But it’s good to get some light workouts done and move the legs.
I’ve heard a lot about post-race blues! I worried my husband would have it but he mostly is happy to have the race over with so he can train as he wants!
I had not heard of Bucees (but a quick Google search answered that); looks like a fun place to explore while traveling! Looks like a gun (and busy) trip 🙂
So there is a Bucee’s within five miles of me. Bathrooms are fabulous. Gas is cheap. And that’s all I’ll say about that lol. Fortunately, I have a secret way to get there so very rarely do I need to sit in the hellish traffic. On the plus side, they do have surprising gifts and their snacks are decent, so.
I know the race wasn’t exactly what you hoped for, but sometimes having fun is a great way to do it. I hope you’re feeling so much better!
So there is a Bucee’s within five miles of me. Bathrooms are fabulous. Gas is cheap. And that’s all I’ll say about that lol. Fortunately, I have a secret way to get there so very rarely do I need to sit in the hellish traffic. On the plus side, they do have surprising gifts and their snacks are decent, so.
I know the race wasn’t exactly what you hoped for, but sometimes having fun is a great way to do it. I hope you’re feeling so much better!
I’ve never been to Bucees–there aren’t any around here.
Hope you are recovered and what a busy recovery week. Happy Birthday to your daughters looked like she had a very fun day.
Looks like such a fun family trip! Enjoy that time together. I always get the blues of sorts after training for a big race. Happy birthday to your daughter!
Looks like such a fun family trip! Enjoy that time together. I always get the blues of sorts after training for a big race. Happy birthday to your daughter!
Looks like such a fun family trip! Enjoy that time together. I always get the blues of sorts after training for a big race. Happy birthday to your daughter!