1. You will want nothing more than to sleep in.
After waking up before sunrise, running for several hours and then proceeding with your day as usual, the first item on your agenda for the following day will be to sleep for as long as possible.
2. Your will wonder if your legs will ever forgive you.
And who would blame them if they didn't? After the pain that you put them through during the race, they are most likely going to protest your every movement with aches, stiffness and — if you're like me — a slight limp.
3. Your hips will demand immobility.
Your hamstrings will be tight and your knee may still be sore, but what is equally hard to ignore is the discomfort in your hips whenever you attempt to walk. Even the most skilled foam-roller will have trouble rolling out this sort of pain.
4. The foam roller is your new favorite thing.
Whether or not you're new to the concept, nothing has felt as good as foam rolling your tired legs. No one would notice if you happened to walk out of the gym with it, would they?
5. You will impress anyone who asks about your weekend.
One positive thing to expect is the admiration from your friends and acquaintances throughout the day who inquire as to how your weekend was spent. While most people will anticipate the standard recount of an average weekend spent out with friends or studying, they will probably be extra impressed when you tell them about your race.
6. When someone does not ask about your weekend, you will find a way to bring it up.
Because how often can you say, “I ran a half-marathon yesterday?" You will be super proud of your accomplishment, and rightfully so! You've earned your bragging rights for the day, and you will want to take advantage of them while you still can.
7. A day without exercise never sounded so good.
After weeks and months of training, it's more likely than not that you've become an adrenaline junkie. Before your race, just the thought of skipping the gym or a good day's worth of cardio might have brought you down. But now, the day after your race, physical exertion is the last thing on your to-do list.
8. You will want to eat everything.
You burned at least 1,300 calories during your run, and when it comes time to refuel, a salad for lunch just isn't going to cut it. You're going to want to indulge, why shouldn't you? Ice cream will never taste as sweet as it does after a 13 miles of running.
9. You will start to explore what other forms of cardio you can get involved with.
You might not know when you'll get back in the swing of exercise, but you do know that your work out will not include running any time soon.
10. You will avoid stairs at all costs.
Need I say more?
11. Walking to class is not an option.
No matter how close your class is or how much more time efficient it would be to walk there, a stroll through campus is just not in the cards for you today.
12. Stretching is the best decision you will make all day.
It hurts so good and your hamstrings just can't get enough of it; stretching is a cure-all pass time for this day of recovery.
13. You will still consider registering for next year's race.
You might be sore and you're most likely tired, but nothing beats that feeling of accomplishment after all of your hard work pays off. See you at next year's race!
