Following a goal race I often find myself in a bit of a running-lull. It starts out with the post-race recovery period, which is very necessary for your body after having pushed it so hard. It’s a time of celebration, where I go overboard eating all the things I’ve avoided during training because they make me feel draggy or slightly off. It’s rest not only for race-weary muscles, but the travel-weary mind and spirit.
Then the rest period is over and I should be doing some active recovery. Light jogs, walks, that sort of thing. Instead, it’s a time of catching up on things I hadn’t done while so focussed on training. Appointments, emails, little tasks around the house. The race is still recent enough to feel like I have run lately; yet the routine of training feels like a distant memory. It’s a strange mental space where, despite having run like clockwork regardless of the conditions, it is somehow too windy, early, late, cold or hot, and a lot of “I’ll do it tomorrow” is thrown about like dirty laundry in a college dorm. My motivation lags; mostly I am just tired.
I ran a race last weekend; my goal race was 3 weeks ago. I’ve run here and there, but it’s time, now, to get back at it. Time to set some new goals and plan a new schedule. Time to fall in love all over again.
I’ll be making a decision on my A-race for the fall in the next week or so, and maybe picking some events between now and then, just for fun. I’ll be putting a schedule on the calendar and making dates with myself so there is no ambiguity. I will be stocking up on fresh, healthy menu choices that I know will help me feel more energetic. I will be laying out my clothes, setting the alarm, and I will be running.
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