Black And White Image Of A Male Runner Finishing A Marathon With The Post Marathon Blues

Post Marathon Blues 101

BY Hal Higdon

The Post Marathon Blues — also referred to as Post Marathon Syndrome or Post Marathon Depression — is fairly common. Here are a few suggestions to overcome the low.

What Post-Marathon Depression Looks Like

Any tips or suggestions to get over the Post Marathon Blues? I just did my first marathon yesterday, and I feel kind of depressed that I achieved a goal and feel like there is no reason to get out there and run anymore. I’m so used to following a rigid schedule for the past 6-7 months that I don’t know what to do next.

What Are the Post-Marathon Blues?

The Post-Marathon Blues — also referred to as PMS for Post-Marathon Syndrome — is fairly common. You focus intently on a lofty goal for day after day, week after week, month after month, and suddenly that goal is snatched away. You can look back with pleasure, but what’s next in life?

What to Do After a Marathon

Before jumping into your next challenge, use this recovery period for some well-earned downtime. Consider also that there is a Post Marathon Training program that will cuddle around you for the next 5 weeks. After that, pick a new goal, which could be a distance or a destination. By the time you are that far past your marathon, you should be able to think rationally again.

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About Hal Higdon

Hal Higdon is a Contributing Editor for ‘Runner’s World‘ and author of 34 books, including the best-selling ‘Marathon: The Ultimate Training Guide’. He ran eight times in the Olympic Trials and won four world masters championships. Higdon estimates that over a quarter of a million runners have finished marathons using his training programs, and he also offers additional interactive programs at all distances through TrainingPeaks. Hal uses TrainingPeaks to power his interactive marathon and half marathon training plans — check out more of Hal Higdon’s training plans on his website.