The Post Marathon Blues are No Joke!

The Post-Marathon Blues Are Real!

WOW! What can I say. It's been awhile since I've posted. But I have good news. I seem to be over the funk that I was in. I was well aware that after hitting a big goal, that people can sometimes feel lost or that everyday things seem to lose their appeal, but I had no idea just how wrapped up I was in training for a marathon. Once it was over, I was absolutely on clound nine! But then it faded to "now what" and then full on being down in the dumps. I gained weight. I got myself to a point where I couldn't even run a mile. And did I mention the weight gain? I got up to 213lbs which for me is very very heavy but luckily I was able to real that back in a little. I've dropped 10 pounds just cutting back on Carbs, but more on that in another post.  

Then something happened. I saw a post about a mile road race in Waynesville and just like that, the fire was back. I had a renewed sense of wonder. I can't run a mile. But I love the mile. So I signed up this past Wednesday. It's August 22nd, which is exactly 8 weeks from today. So I went to a track today to see what I could do. I warmed up and then ran (slogged) a mile in 12:18. I had no idea I was actually that slow. I was hoping I could pull off a 10 minute mile, but I was fighting out there just to keep going. 

However, at the end, even though I was much slower than I had hoped, I was happy. It felt so good to be out on a track again. If you've ever seen Field of Dreams, you'll get how I feel when I step on a track. It's like I'm young again. At least on the inside...LOL.

So. In summary, I have 8 weeks to see how much faster I can go in the mile. I have to look at the course but I think there might be a slight uphill at the start but then should be fairly even to slightly downhill the rest of the way. 

My plan is to run hard twice per week with speedwork. Run some easy days. A long run day and 2-3 resistance training days per week. That's a big jump from what I've been doing, but I'll take it slow and easy and build up gradually so as not to overtrain or get injured. 

If you're feeling down, you may not want to, but find something that gets you excited. I realize how silly it is to run a marathon and then get excited for a mile, but trust me, it was just what I needed. I've always loved the mile and road mile races are hard to find unless you're willing to run the kid's fun run. 

I'm also honestly glad it happened to me. I fully believe it's made me a better coach having gone through it rather than just reading about it. Like I said, it's no joke. The depression was very real and I barely recognized myself for a while. 

If you find yourself down or needing help with running, please reach out to me. I can now say I've been there and I can relate to what you're going through.

Last Week of Half-Marathon Training - Week of Jan. 18th

Short and sweet. I did not run the 5K. We had a winter storm with lots of rice that was supposedly coming. I decided the night before I wasn't going to run. The race directors kept the race. The bad weather didn't hit until late that night. But it was freezing cold, my ankles hurt...it would not have been smart. 

I will be creating a new goal. A new plan. But first, I'm going to try and get my ankles working again and get out of this mental funk that I've been in. I help runners all the time get back into running and it always works for them. My issues seem deeper. I'm going to work through them. 

Half-Marathon Training Progress: Weeks of Dec. 28, 2025, Jan. 4th, 2026 & Jan. 11th

A sad couple of weeks. I really think I need to pull out of the Half. 

Sunday - Tried to go for a 2 mile run. I made it a half of a mile and had to walk to the mile mark. I thought I'd turn around and do a run/walk back but all I could do was walk. I was in a lot of pain. Shins. Calves. Feet. It was very disheartening. 

Monday - I received a delayed Christmas gift from my son. A walking pad. I set it up and walk .8 miles carrying 10lb dumbbells and did occasional curls while walking. My arms were spent after. But not bad for 20 minutes. 

Tuesday - I walked on my walking pad for 1.24 miles in 30 minutes and six seconds. I haven't tried running on it. for some reason, 2.5 MPH on this walking pad seems MUCH faster than the same on a treadmill. Maybe it's the much shorter walking area? I have no idea. In the gym, I walk at a 3.4 MPH speed and it's a brisk walk. On the walking pad, I feel like I have to run. No joke. 

The good news is that my weight is down a little. I had hit 206lbs last Thursday, Christmas Day. The last three days, I've been holding steady at 203lbs. So a 3 pound loss is decent. I'm sure it was mostly water weight, but I'll take it. 

Wednesday - It's New Year's Eve! I can't believe it's going to be 2026! That's crazy!! I took a break today since I'd walked on the treadmill the last three days. My ankles were a little sore so I figured I had been much more active the last few days. 

Thursday, January 1st, 2026!! HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

Today, I ventured outside and ran 2.23 miles. I then did a squat and hold and some kettlebell exercises later in the evening. 

Friday, I walked 1.26 on the walking pad and did some kettlebell exercises and some more squat and hold exercises to help my ankles.

Saturday, I walked on the walking pad again and did some ankle rotations with a stretchy band the Physical Therapist gave me. 

This was  pretty good week. I was active and I got my weight down to 198. 8 POUNDS LOST SINCE CHRISTMAS DAY!! I'm very happy!

Week of January 4th 

Sunday I ran-walked on the walking pad for 1.71 miles 

Monday, I walked on the walking pad with dumbbells and did an arm routine for 30 minutes straight. I covered 1.24 miles while doing arm curls, shoulder presses, side raises, front raises and skull crushers. 

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, I didn't do anything. Work got crazy and I lost my mojo. 

Saturday, I was able to squeeze in some PT stretches and some squats and 2 sets of overhead presses with a 20lb kettlebell. Overall, not a great week. 

Week of January 11th

Not a good week. This will be short. 

Sunday - Thursday I did nothing. I worked. I slept. I got up and repeated like some awful version of groundhog day. I have a situation at work that I'm having to deal with and it's just got me totally exhausted. 

Friday, Jan. 16th work was better. things have calmed down some but I was just so exhausted. 

As you can see, the last 3 weeks has been very little - VERY LITTLE - running. My ankles are still whacked so I definitely shouldn't run the half on the 24th. I just wish I knew what happened to my ankles. A month after the marathon, I was totally fine, and then they started hurting and aching all the time. I walk like I'm 90 until they loosen up. It's so frustrating!! 

For weeks, I've debating just running the 5K if they'd let me switch, so I looked into it and I was able to change my race distance. I ended paying a very small transfer fee and switched from the Half-marathon down to the 5K. Hopefully, I can do that. 

Saturday, Jan. 17th, my wife and I left for an overnight trip/getaway. Much needed, but not great for exercise and gym time. Also, I gained some weight back this week, but not too much. Still below 200 so that's good news at least. Being on the road so much, I was back to a lot of fast food, but I tried to be better and get less/eat less.