Learning to Love Running After the Marathon

It has been more than a month since the marathon. I was warned about the post-race blues, and that I would be eager to sign-up for another event to motivate me to keep going. I have felt a little weird after the marathon, but in a way that I was not expecting. 

I simply find it hard to run. 

I have been working out daily for the last month, but I have not done a bunch of long distance running. I have been taking long hikes with my children, going on bike rides, enjoying power walks by the river, and the occasional run. I find I am a little burnt-out, not just physically: mostly it is mental. 

Before signing-up for the marathon, I would run often, sometimes daily. I would run just for the sake of exercising to feel good, and to have good health. I loved running. It was therapeutic and uplifting for me. During the training I had to run and follow a very strict schedule, and when those long runs on Saturdays (between 10-20 miles) would come up, I would have to make them happen. 

I did it. I followed my plan, and I completed the marathon. 

But as I have tried to run lately, I find my mind is so not into it. My brain feels kind of sluggish, and my motivation to put in long miles is far spent. I have needed a break from it, I think, so that I can learn to love it again. I know I will always love to run, but there are times when running is more fun. 

It is summertime, and it is hot. If I want to run comfortably, I need to wake-up super early, or go out really late. I did go out the other evening, it was nice and cool, and I felt good. I was in the groove and I wanted to be running. I could smell the warmth of the sagebrush in the air, along with the coolness that comes from the river. I felt strong, and free, and hopeful. Running felt fun. I was grateful to feel that again. I was grateful to be reminded that I will not always feel so sluggish about those long miles. 

I think that as summer comes to a close, and the beauty of autumn settles on the Valley, my desire to put in the miles will come back with great force. I absolutely adore running in the fall. While I was out the other evening, I was reminded that all things have a time and a season. I have taken some time to go out running on my own during the summer, but I have mostly been working-out with my kiddos, and I have enjoyed that immensely. 

So, will I sign-up for another running event? I do not know the answer to that yet. I might be willing to try some shorter distances, but for now I have not been persuaded, or felt the urge, to make it happen.

We shall see.

Who knows what the future holds?

All I know is I cannot wait to feel the coolness of fall, as my running shoes hit the pavement. It is coming! Hooray!

This is the shirt from the marathon. I really like it. It is much easier to enjoy the pain, now that it is finished. :)