It’s hard to believe that it’s been three weeks since the New York City Marathon. Those weeks have gone by so quickly. Often after a build-up to a race, there’s a bit of a let-down once it’s done. Since I first put my name in the lottery in 2010, I’ve been setting goals, thinking, and training for the race. Three years is a lengthy build-up for one single race. So, how does it feel now that it’s over?

Physically, it took my legs a good four or five days to feel back to normal after the marathon. My recovery probably would have been easier if we hadn’t spent Monday and Tuesday after the race walking everywhere and exploring New York City! Although I had the best of intentions to go for a swim, I suppose I was feeling lazy and took the following week after that as rest as well.  Back in Edmonton, we had family come to visit for the Remembrance Day long weekend and the weather turned quite poor (i.e. we have had over 60 centimetres of snow already this month!), so it was conducive to rest days!

It’s now what I would officially consider to be my “off-season”. The New York City Marathon was my “A” race for the year, and I definitely saved the best for last. Unlike previous years, at this moment, as I have absolutely  no goals, plans or races scheduled for 2014, I find myself approaching the next few months with greater uncertainty than in previous years. I’m a planner by nature (and by profession), and in the past I’ve either had at least an Ironman, 1/2 Ironman, 1/2 marathon or similar race already in mind. Often I’ve already been registered for them at this time. I have absolutely no idea at this point what 2014 will look like race-wise for me!

No, I don’t think I feel depressed or sad now that NYC is over. I have the best memories from New York and I still find myself thinking about the experience or looking at photos. Not only was the race an incredible experience, but Chris and I had such a phenomenal four days in the city that neither of us wanted to leave. After Ironman racesI have felt a bit sad after the excitement of the race is all over with, because you work so hard and have so much anticipation for one single day. But as I write this we’re three weeks away from our wedding, so I am also investing a lot of time thinking about that. Perhaps if we didn’t have the wedding to look forward to, I might feel a bit more bored and mentally let-down post-marathon.

So, although I’m not registered for anything, I’d like to put a few ideas down on paper. For the “off-season”, I would like to keep in shape by doing Sufferfest, Insanity, and T25 (Santa Claus??) DVDs. Once the snow is gone and it’s warmer outside (i.e. not until May in Edmonton), I would really like to improve my speed at the 5km and 10km distances. I would seriously consider running a few half marathons and possibly another marathon. Chris, I know what you’re thinking, and no, this doesn’t commit us to anything too far in advance, I’m just thinking out-loud!

Races I would really like to do at some point in the near future (although it’s probably not financially realistic to do them all in the same year):
Las Vegas Rock ‘n’ Roll 1/2 Marathon (November)
Sea Wheeze Half Marathon (August, but need to register in January)
Nike San Francisco Women’s 1/2 Marathon (October)

Races that I would definitely consider doing in 2014:
Melissa’s Road Race (10km or 22km – September, but need to register in February)
Edmonton 1/2 Marathon (August)
Kelowna 1/2 Marathon (October)
Challenge Penticton Relay Team (or 1/2 Ironman?) (August)

I would run the New York City Marathon again in a heartbeat and am contemplating tossing my name in the lottery again. I know Chris has a few running goals, and since we went to NYC for me to do a race, it might be his turn to pick a location. I sure hope he picks somewhere warmer than here!