BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - Get the Passion Back

Hello runner friends!

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog!

Now let's get started by discussing something I always like to talk about this time of year since so many people who completed the Bass Pro Marathon/Half and/or the Dogwood Canyon trail runs are now experiencing a feeling of melancholy that I have dubbed Post Marathon Depression Disorder or PMDD. This is a condition that commonly occurs several days or weeks after a person crosses the finish line after months of hard training when the excitement wears off and a runner is left somewhere between recovery and getting motivated again. Its’ symptoms range anywhere from feeling a little sad or lost to feeling irritated, unmotivated, lazy, unproductive or even anti-social. It's the valley that many runners sink into after having reached that mountaintop experience that causes them to say to themselves, "What next? What can I do to get back the same passion and determination that I had during those all weeks and months of training?" 

Thankfully, though, there are five things you can do right now to battle this depressive disorder that is totally real. 

1. Register for another race. Seriously, there is nothing like setting a new goal to bridge the gap between what you did and what you're going to do that works better to squelch those feelings of depression. This will allow you to look back and smile and then look forward to what's next with an even bigger smile. This might sound so simple but it works.

2. Get some rest and enjoy it. The second part is the key. Let yourself enjoy it! You've been training every weekend for months right? At this point you might not even remember a Saturday or Sunday where a long run wasn't on the schedule. But guess what? You've earned the rest. The time off will not only allow you to recharge physically but will refresh you mentally, spiritually, and emotionally too. Training takes a lot out of a person. And if you're worried about being set back from all your gains, don't worry about it. Taking a few days off will benefit you way more than it will set you back. 

3. Cross-train. While training for a marathon or similar big race is great exercise, the repetitive nature of it is bound to result in some imbalances and strained muscle groups. Use this time after your race to identify those tight spots (looking at you quads) and weak areas (hello, glutes and core) and address them. Doing so will prep your body and balance your muscles for the next big goal ahead. Some great things to do include swimming, aqua running (being sure to include flexibility and strength training moves), biking, yoga, and the elliptical. On a side note, as someone who's done all of the above, I highly encourage aqua running with some hip mobility, and core exercises included. 

4. Get a massage. This will set you up for success to achieve that new goal you've set for yourself. The major benefit of massage is that it relaxes tense muscles and removes adhesions or minor scar tissue between muscles and fascia, a fancy word for the sheath or casing that surrounds your muscles. Unneeded tension and adhesions can restrict movement and impair your range of motion, potentially leading to abnormal movement patterns that can cause overuse injuries. See why a massage is such a great idea? This is something you would benefit from doing often.

5. Join the gym. For real. There are so many benefits to strength training yet very few runners consistently do it. Focus on exercises specific for runners and you'll not only gain new friends at the gym but will gain new muscle and increased flexibility 

So there you have it friends. As someone who's run a lot of races, I can attest that PMDD is very very real. Acknowledge your feelings and know that you're not alone in them. Nearly every runner will experience PMDD at some point in their lives. But you can cut the time down that you experience this disorder significantly by setting another goal. I've got my sights set on a virtual ultra with friends this weekend and that has me smiling from ear to ear. So pick a race and get signed up for it today. Knowing that you have something to train for will get you back outside and have you smiling from ear to ear too. Life's too short to not get back in the saddle. 

Happy Running!!!