As I attempt to recover from running 34.42 miles in just under 20 hours over the course of three legs at Ragnar Trail Richmond on an ultra team with my MRTT friends, I’m well aware that I’m doing everything wrong. But you know what? I don’t have it in me to change things.
After over two weeks of going non-stop working on outdoor home projects, I am burned out. The energy I used during those two weeks leading up to Ragnar would make the Energizer Bunny’s head spin. Even so, I went into Ragnar feeling relaxed and ready.
At no point during the race did I not feel prepared, and I never felt that I hadn’t tapered enough. My taper was nothing more than letting my tempo run on Monday be the last run of the week, followed by two weight lifting sessions, a relaxing walk, and lots of yoga. I knew that running on trails would be easier on my body than running on streets, and that in itself had me feeling relaxed about what lay ahead – as long as my body held up.
So why am I not doing all the right things this week to help myself recover from such a busy weekend of running? I have a Ragnover – I’m depressed, I miss my teammates, and I miss the excitement of planning for our Ragnar Trail adventure.
So what should I be doing? What would help me recover more quickly from the wear and tear on my body after running all those miles on very little sleep? Do as I say, not as I’m doing…
1. Get plenty of sleep
2. Focus on stretching and foam rolling
3. Move around, don’t sit
4. Ease back into workouts
Now, it’s time for me to focus and get my game back on. I’ve got a half marathon to run in two weeks!
Note: After writing this post on Wednesday morning, I got my mojo back and got my butt into gear Wednesday afternoon. All it really took was spending the afternoon working with my flowers and getting them repotted for our deck. Gardening is good for the soul!
- Questions:
- Have you run a Ragnar or similar relay? If so, what were your secrets for recovery?
- After what other events do find it difficult to resume your training?
- Are you racing this weekend?
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Today I’m joining the DC Trifecta’s Friday Five Linkup with Courtney at Eat Pray Run DC, Cynthia at You Signed Up for What?!, and Mar at Mar on the Run! Please stop by these DC area bloggers’ blogs to say hello; and while you’re there, be sure to check out other bloggers who are also participating in the linkup.
I’ve heard so many wonderful things about the Ragnar Relays! It sounds like you had a blast & now suffering with a “ragnover” :-). Rest up & recover well!!
Angela @marathonsandmotivation.com recently posted…The Friday 5: Wetsuit Tips & Tricks
Thanks, I’m trying! 😀
I didn’t know what to do with myself after Ragnar!! I loved it but man did I need sleep. Lots of sleeping, walking and yoga but I was also in the middle of training for a half so didn’t have too many rest days in between. Congrats on the trail run – sounds magnificent!
Mar @ Mar on the Run recently posted…Race Recap: UPMC Pittsburgh Half Marathon
Thanks, Mar! It was a blast!
Since I did not sleep AT ALL during our Ragnar I had to SLEEP the next day. After that things were pretty good!
Coco recently posted…Join Me At The Farm To Fork Fondo
That was probably an excellent decision on your part. I was too wired and too busy editing and sharing pictures to sleep on Sunday. 🙂
Sounds so fun, but also sounds exhausting. I don’t feel like I recover very well after races either. I always want to jump back into it right aways.
[email protected] recently posted…Let’s talk about feet….
Yeah, I have a problem chilling after such a big event, too; but really for me, it’s more about using my time wisely.
I am having lots of the same feelings this week after our American Odyssey relay. I did not run nearly as much as you did however, I did run more than I ever have run. I also did not really take my recovery seriously enough and it caught up to me mid week.
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner recently posted…Why I Love My Moms Running Group & Why You Should Join One
I’m sure you are! It’s just as much about the time awake and not sleeping/resting as it is about the miles run. Hope you’ve fully recovered by now.
Honestly, all of my Ragnars have been in the midst of training for a half. So usually, I take the Monday & Tuesday off & use those days to sleep in, then I’m right back at it. I’m usually not running crazy paces, so it’s usually more about catching up on sleep for me than it is letting my body recover. I treat it like a weird, spaced out long run.
I think relays are a lot more fun when the team isn’t competing. I love that our main objective at Ragnar is to have fun! 🙂 It sounds like your Ragnars have been fun and relaxed as well.
I love that gardening pulled you out of your funk. This weather has to not be making it easier – it’s so gross!
Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC recently posted…Five Cities I’ve Run in During 2016
Fingers are crossed that we will see the sun tomorrow! 😀
That was a lot of miles! Sleep and lots of protein always seem to make a huge difference for me 🙂 I really can not imagine running that far on the trails there, maybe when I feel better I will give it a try.
Karen recently posted…The Genius of Galloway
If those trails were a close drive for me, I’d meet you there for trail runs every weekend. What a beautiful park!
I’ve never run Ragnar despite my best efforts to assemble a team. I’m hoping for Ragnar Trail in 2017!
Rachel recently posted…Copper River Salmon Run 5K
Good luck, I hope it works out for you in 2017!
I love the Ragnover! Glad that you’ve been able to get back on track and recover better.
Sonia recently posted…Use the Fear
Thanks, Sonia!
[…] I mentioned on Thursday, it took a few days for me to get moving after last weekend’s super fun Ragnar […]
[…] Virginia blogger, Deb Runs, wrote recently about running freakin’ 30-plus miles in just like 20 hours (she was running a relay, apparently, and is not crazy.) While that’s definitely in the extreme, she knows that recovering can be tough. She advises anyone who is recovering from a run or running routine to try the following to get back to 100 percent: Get a lot of sleep, stretch, keep moving, ease back into your workouts and down nutrients. Read more of her tips here. […]