Sometimes, you actually have to do the wrong things to know what doesn’twork for you. To confirm it’s not just a thing people say to not do, but a thing people say for a reason. For me as a runner, this means knowing what works (and what doesn’t) the afternoon after a marathon training long run.
Sadly, this post could alternatively be called: ‘A list of things I’ve done after long runs and later come to regret.’
What Not To Do After A Marathon Training Long Run
I do more of these things than I should admit.
Consider this post a case ofdo as I say, not as I do.
Be A Couch Potato
It will be tempting to do nothing after a long run. After all, you’ll be tired and you’ve earned some rest, right?
Not so fast!
If you sit on the couch and don’t move, your muscles will tighten up.
You willreallyregret it when you have to move again.
After your run
- Stretch and cool down properly.
- Keep moving through the day so your muscles stay loose.
- Foam roll or use The Stick later in the afternoon.
- Take a walk around the neighborhood or an easy bike ride the afternoon after a long run. Nothing too strenuous, but keep your body and your muscles moving, at least a little.
Not Refuel or Rehydrate
I’m often not very hungry when I finish running. By the time I finish stretching and cooling-down, I’ll often forget to eat.
This is bad.
After your run, your body will be depleted. Even if you’ve fueled well on the run, your body’s stores of carbs, glycogen, protein, and water will all be running low.
In order to rebuild the muscles that you’ve broken down on your run, refuel.
After your run
- Eat something with a carb to protein ratio of 3:1 (think peanut butter toast) within 20 minutes of finishing.
- Eat a full meal within 3-4 hours.
- Drink water all day.
Stay in Running Clothes
My apologies for TMI, but I am a super sweaty runner. I could run 100 yards in near freezing temps and I’d likely break a sweat. Can you imagine what I look like after a long run?
I’m often far from home for my long runs, or running with a group where we may socialize or brunch after we’re done running.
All that to say, I often find myself staying in my running clothes way longer than I should.
It can be very bad to stay in sweaty running clothes when you’re done running. It creates all kinds of bacteria and fungus issues.
Staying in damp clothes can also make body temperature issues worse. After a long run, how can I be freezing and roasting at the same time?I have no idea, but staying in damp running clothes doesn’t help.
After your run
- If you are at home, get out of running clothes and shower ASAP.
- If you are out and about, do a wet wipe shower and change into dry clothes in your car or a nearby bathroom
Ignoring Rest And Recovery
This one has never been a problem for me personally, but I know some people struggle with it: after a marathon training long run, you need to let your body recover.
The day after a long run should be a rest day or an easy run/active recovery day. Don’t do an intense or difficult workout the day after a long run.
Leave the track work and speed work for a few days after a long run.
Rocket Science Or Brain Surgery
OK, not those thingsexactly, but anything requiring brain power.
Runner’s Brain is a very real thing. The glycogen that fuels your body also fuels your brain. As you run (and your glycogen is depleted) your brain may get a little fuzzy.
I can usually feel myself starting to get stupider around mile 14.
After your run, your brain may stay a little fuzzy while your body refuels.
After your run
- Don’t make any important decision, or anything requiring major brainpower, the afternoon after a long run.
- Refuel (but you are already doing that from above, right?)
- Be easy on yourself and arrange your day (and your to-do list) accordingly.
Have That Important Conversation
Related to not doing brain surgery, don’t do anything that requires (orpotentially requires) emotional control or restraint.
Again, you’ll be emotionally and physically exhausted. When that happens, it can be hard to control your emotions.
You don’t want to have to apologize for something you said to your spouse while exhausted after a long run.
After your run
- Make sure your family/loved ones know what to expect.
- Try to notice if or when you are losing your patience or temper. This is good advice for always, but especially on long run days, when you’ll have a (much?) shorter trigger.
Don’t Give In To Cravings
Marathon Training long run days can be a dangerous one-two punch:
- You’ll be tired, so your brain may crave fatty, high-calorie foods (even more so than usual); and
- You’ll have done a really hard workout, so you may be more inclined to treat yourself.
There is even a name for this: hedonic compensation. Rewarding yourself for doing something virtuous.
I can’t in good conscience advise you to not treat yourself.
I know the ‘right’ fitness advice is to not use food as a reward for fitness accomplishments, but I know, after years of trial and error, it is one of the few rewards that consistently works for me, so I do it.
Rare is my long run that isn’t rewarded by pizza, a can of co*ke, and/or a cupcake.
That’s right, I said ‘and.’
I’m not ashamed.
After your run
- Don’t use food as a reward for fitness accomplishments (sorry, I still had to include it. It’s good advice, even if I don’t follow it myself).
- If you are going to reward yourself with food, plan it out in advance. Don’t buy a dozen cupcakes and tell yourself you’ll only have one after the run. One will lead to two, which will lead to three (not that I know that from first-hand experience or anything).
What about you? Is there anything you know you shouldn’t do after a long run?
