Post race blues?
Thought it about time I actually posted something. Been keeping my head down after the WHW race. It’s been a strange month and I’ve had a few injury concerns, but building back up to peak training weeks.
First things first – a question!
Post race blues – is this a recognised condition?
It doesn’t seem to be talked about much. Maybe it isn’t real? Or maybe it doesn’t affect the full-time athletes as much as there is no ‘normal’ to return to after the event. Most of us anyway have to return to our normal day-to-day working lives only days after a lengthy physical event like the West Highland Way race. I was back in work a couple of days after and whilst I expected it to be ok (at least for the first few hours) I wasn’t really prepared for the slump that followed.
I know it was only a race but I did learn a lot about myself and where I want to head. As a consequence however, it has made this normal stuff all the more unbearable. Some of it all seems so pointless and it can be hard to muster the energy for it when your heart is elsewhere. Combine that with a training break, no definite race plans and some brand-new aches and pains (including a surprise guest appearance of ‘Kankles’!) I really hit a low.
Am I the only one? How do you best manage this period?
So, onward and upward now. The running is getting better again although I still wouldn’t claim to be 100%. Slowly building back up to a decent mileage last week and stayed off the WHW to feed my desire for some new routes. I decided against the 2011 Clyde Stride race. I wanted to do it but I listened to my body and did my own thing instead. Some pics below from a few recent runs. ‘Pyllon Points’ for any correct answers as to locations (from anyone who doesn’t read my tweets!):
Clues: pics cover 5 x different runs J
Next up for me is the Devil O’ the Highlands race on the 6th August. Should give me a chance to rid myself of the evil Kinlochleven navigational demons once and for all. Go straight on Paul, go straight on!!! Looking forward to it and hoping for an easier recovery.
Maybe see some of you there!?
Paul
Pyllon - ultra runner 
Hi Paul, I think it’s very common to feel a bit “lost” after a big event like the WHW race. When you’ve focused so hard on one big event it leaves a huge hole in your life when that race is past.
The only answer I’ve found is to start thinking about *next* year’s WHW race. 😉
Hope you have a great Devil. It’s a lovely race and hopefully you won’t have any navigational mishaps this time! I’ll be there too but trailing at the back of the field somewhere no doubt.
July 26, 2011 at 11:13 am
….and that’s exactly why we need a winter reverse WHW race!!! 😉
Excellent! hopefully speak to you on the 6th at the Devil.
Thanks a lot for the comment. Maybe I’m not such a weirdo after all.
Paul
July 26, 2011 at 2:12 pm
When I first saw the WHW results I wondered who is this cheeky so ‘n so who has just pipped in above me on the alltime list by less than a minute…….. I hadn’t realised you had been faffing around the undergrowth near Kinlochleven for an hour trying your best not to upstage me on the alltime list 😉 But you clearly deserve to be much higher up, and will have to come back next year to WHW to claim your rightful position. Great run, apart from that (major) navigational blip.
Feeling “down ‘n empty” after WHW is a common ailment. You are not alone! In the short term I’d suggest giving big focus on the Devil o’, clocking a time you’re proud of, and exorcising the WHW navigational demons. Then start to think about your campaign / build up for WHW 2012…………….
Murdo tM
July 26, 2011 at 4:29 pm
Hi Murdo, apologies for that! Not sure I deserve to be on any list yet tbh.
Maybe next year if I keep training hard.
Glad to hear that my slump is pretty normal – couldn’t quite work out what was going on. Another thing to put down to experience, so all good.
Already looking forward to 2012 – the WHW race really does seem to have a whole big family who make it very special. I’m just glad to have been allowed to take part this year.
Thanks for your comments – very much appreciated.
Paul 😉
July 26, 2011 at 6:45 pm
i’d been warned of this before i even ran the race! Mine was compounded by ending up in hospital and 3 weeks of no running. Got to remember it’s a bloody long way, our bodies need time to recover from it and slumps are inevitable. See you at Devil, well i’ll see you at start lol
July 26, 2011 at 4:47 pm
Sandra, we were all astonished at the pics – looked incredibly painful!
See you in a few weeks where we can do some of it again!
Happy training,
Paul 🙂
July 26, 2011 at 9:28 pm
Hi Paul
Glad your back into the swing of things, and now with less than 2 weeks to the Devils you will be raring to go once your on that line…
See you on the 6th…
Norry
July 26, 2011 at 5:39 pm
Cheers Norry.
Sounds like your recovery went well.
Hopefully chat with you in a few weeks.
Take care,
Paul 🙂
July 26, 2011 at 9:31 pm
I get it after big events, that slightly depressed feeling. The too tired to train but wish I was but no real aim. Think its normal!
July 28, 2011 at 9:28 pm
Seems to be pretty common.
You’ve done a few races this year! Hardcore 🙂
July 30, 2011 at 12:02 pm
Ha nice one mate 🙂 Good Reading especially for blowing time in a Mongolian airport
August 2, 2011 at 5:40 pm