What should I do after my first marathon?

What should I do after my first marathon?

Invest the first week in short, light effort, low-impact cross-training activities that will boost circulation, warm your muscles, and aid in the healing journey (think: walking, cycling, swimming, or yoga). If all feels well later that week, run a short, easy-effort run (30 minutes) to test the waters.

What to do after you finish a marathon?

Exactly what to do after you’ve run a marathon to recover faster

  1. Avoid static stretching.
  2. Avoid lingering in damp, sweaty kit.
  3. Avoid anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen (nurofen).
  4. Avoid excessive alcohol.
  5. Avoid people with colds and infections.
  6. Avoid running just yet.
  7. Avoid ice baths.

How long does it take to recover from your first marathon?

As a general guideline, I suggest taking three to seven days completely off after a marathon. Sleep in, eat, and enjoy your accomplishment. After that, begin an active recovery program. Active recovery includes light exercise and even some running, if you are not sore.

What does your body need after a marathon?

Immediately after running the marathon, replace depleted muscle glycogen by consuming carbohydrate-packed foods such as bananas, raisins, granola bars, energy bars, bagels and pita bread. Many sports drinks supply carbohydrate, too.

Do you gain weight after a marathon?

Some runners complain of weight gain immediately after a marathon. This is most likely due to water retention as your muscles repair and rebuild. Don’t be tempted to start (or resume) any weight-loss regime during this time – your body requires a full complement of nutrients to recover from the stress of the race.

What happens to your body in the 48 hours after a marathon?

During intense training, creatine kinase leaks into the bloodstream, rising about 12-48 hours post-workout. [6] Moderate levels of creatine kinase in the blood are normal. Creatine kinase levels tend to recover faster after a marathon in trained athletes but can recover more slowly in overtrained individuals.

How much rest is needed after a marathon?

How long should you plan to rest? Most coaches and elite runners suggest you should take off one week off after a marathon, with a few very light jogs or even easy walks if you get too antsy. After a week off, training should be very light for two weeks post-race.

Why am I so tired after a marathon?

It’s normal to be tired after a long run. You’ve expended a lot of energy and put physical demands on your body. You are likely to want to take it easy the rest of the day, go to bed early, or even fit in an afternoon nap. The next day is a time for light activity and recovery.

What percentage of the world’s population has run a marathon?

0.01 percent
Global Marathon Statistics About 1.1 million runners complete a marathon each year, which is roughly 0.01 percent of the world’s population, according to the International Institute for Race Medicine (IIRM). But where speed is concerned, Europe is home to some of the fastest marathoners in the world.

Is it normal to gain weight after a marathon?

Can barely walk after marathon?

If you don’t feel comfortable walking while you eat, lean up again a wall as you munch. Whatever you do, just don’t sit down until you’ve had a chance to walk and stretch a little. If you sit for a long period right after your race, your leg muscles may cramp and take on a life of their own — a painful life.

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