The WhyMarathon ambassadors had such great pre-marathon advice that I decided to get their post-marathon advice. I asked them to fill in the following sentence, “After a marathon, it’s good to ______.” Here is their stellar advice for you!
- Refuel and rehydrate! Get something salty to replenish the electrolytes you lost. Protein and a 20 minute ice bath ASAP! Hate ‘em but love ‘em. (If you don’t have access to a tub, one crazy ambassador recommended wearing waders with ice in them. He said it worked great and provided entertainment!)
- I like to kick my feet up a wall until my feet go numb to get the junk out. Then, I like to drink some beer, eat everything in sight, and wear my medal... all day!!
- Put on some compression socks, have a beer, and talk about the race endlessly.
- Go directly from the race, with a group of other runners, to a fun bar! Sit around for the next couple hours having a great time, talking about the race, congratulating each other, and just having fun. Make plans on where you'll all meet for dinner that night. Go shower and a nap. At dinner, you can again spend a couple hours having a great time, talking about the race, congratulating each other and having fun, but this time you'll also get to talk about which race you're all going to do next!
- Call a cab.
- If you can get back to the hotel or your home within a short time after the finish, take a 15-20 minute ice bath and then jump in a hot shower to warm up and wash all the grimy salt off.
- If I have to drive a while (an hour or more), I take some Motrin when I get in the car; seems to keep my muscles from being so sore.
- I found it super helpful to bring the Biofreeze in mychecked bag.
- Fresh socks. Canned Facebook status update.
- Keep moving. Explore the marathon city.
- Capture the moment - have picture taken of tired but satisfied medal-wearing marathon runner.
- Shower... Nap... Eat... Go to the bar wearing your medal!
What I wish I knew after my first marathon originally posted here.
