If you're reading this then it's quite likely you've just completed a marathon. Congratulations - it's an amazing achievement. Sometimes when it's over it can be a bit of a case of 'after the Lord Major's show' and you can get bored or feel a little dejected. It's important you rest up and reintroduce running very gradually, before considering your next challenge. For now though chill out, look after yourself and lap up the praise.
Congratulate yourself on a job well done.
A few days post marathon, you may start to feel a bit deflated. This is not surprising. It was an incredibly difficult challenge, you poured a lot of energy and emotion into this big event, and it was not easy at all.
Marathon training could well have changed your lifestyle, you will certainly have got fitter, and mentally may have more energy. Don’t waste this, but at he same time do not get over excited and being too active
You should be stiff and sore and will certainly have difficulty getting up and down stairs (going backwards seems to help),but that feeling will pass after a few days,
Have a think about your next challenge, but allow yourself plenty of time in which to recover.
Many people rush back into training too quickly, and this will lead to injury.
Walking, swimming, going to the gym and cycling are all great ways of exercising but do not do any running, under ANY circumstances.
Let nature take care of the inflamed ligaments. The muscles have loads and loads of micro tears in them, after you abused them by running 26.2 miles. Let your body regroup
Think about getting a Sports massage on the Thursday or Friday of that week.
Eat well, and treat yourself a few times.
After first couple of weeks, start to think about running again. Begin with easy running for a few weeks. Do not rush back to hard training; you will know when you are ready.
