I'm tackling the post-event blues

It's never easy but I've been here before and know it'll pass

Every runner knows the exhilarating feeling of crossing the finish line after months of training and dedication (Cue the social media post of the finish-line feels and being proud to share that with your friends). Being in that moment is awesome. But then at some point in the near future comes the inevitable but often not talked about post-event blues. It’s a phenomenon that can affect every runner, from beginner to elite.

Actually, it can affect non-runners as well. Those that knock off a big project or goal.

Yet post-race blues are often dismissed or overlooked. In this article, I’ll share what I’ve been going through and what I’m doing to get through it.

The Highs and Lows

Running events are a unique blend of physical exertion, emotional anticipation, and adrenaline rushes. The race day itself is a culmination of weeks, months, or years of preparation. Crossing the finish line is an undeniable high, and it’s not uncommon for runners to experience a surge of euphoria as they achieve their goals. However, what goes up must come down, and this abrupt shift in emotions can leave runners feeling low. I can compare this feeling with something I listened to on the ‘Matt and Jerry Show’ the other day. “Humans aren’t happy doing nothing”. Back in our early ancestral days, if you weren’t protecting the cave or out gathering food, likely you’d be dead or worthless to the tribe. Innately, we are not programmed to be directionless, we need to be kept busy, have goals, or progressing ourselves. We need purpose. Sometimes when we finish an event we lose that sense of purpose that was driving us.

My post-UTMB blues

It’s been two and half weeks since UTMB. I’m feeling that emotional tug of wanting to get back into training, but still having the physical and mental fatigue that follows from the huge effort that it took to get around Mont Blanc. I can really feel the toll that the race has taken on me. The week after UTMB it took me a fair bit to mentally to pick up my phone and go through my messages of support. I really appreciated it, but my brain wasn’t coping with the screen time. Even now, over two weeks later, I’ve been getting to 5pm and feeling ruined, especially if the days been a busy one. I’ve been listening to the body and getting in as much sleep as I can. Pre UTMB, I would be getting around 8 hours a night, but since then it’s looked more like 9 to 10 hours.

Upon returning to New Zealand motivation has been low and I’ve felt flat. These are the post event blues. I’ve been here before and understand the feeling. Understanding that these “flatter” feelings are natural and will pass allows me to process them quicker and even though I might not be feeling a hundred I don’t let that get the better of me.

Don’t let the blues get the better of you :)

From my end there is no rush in letting the body and mind readapt. In the meantime, I’m trying to enjoy other parts of my life, catching up with mates, getting out for a couple dives, and making plans for the future. I also find sharing how I’m feeling with others helps me stay on top of the emotions. Hopefully if you’ve experienced these feelings before, articles like this help :)

Here’s a little more detail on what the blues are and some strategies to help:

What are the feelings?

Emptiness: Many runners report feeling a void or emptiness after the race is over, as if their sense of purpose has disappeared.

Loss of Direction: Training for an event often provides a clear sense of direction and purpose. When it’s over, runners can feel lost without a goal to work towards.

Comparison: Runners may compare their post-event lives to the high experienced during the race, leading to feelings of disappointment or inadequacy. This also can be negatively reinforced on social media, either seeing people back out running after an event or seemingly on top of the world is tough psychologically.

Physical come-down: The physical toll of a race can be draining. Afterward, the body and mind may need time to recover.

Social Withdrawal: For some, the camaraderie of training and racing provides a strong social network. When the event is over, the loss of this support system can lead to isolation.

Some Strategies to Help

Acknowledge Your Feelings: It’s essential to recognise that post-event blues are normal and temporary. Allow yourself to feel what you’re feeling without judgment.

Set New Goals: After one event ends, look ahead to the future. Setting new running goals can help you regain a sense of purpose and direction.

Stay Active: Continue to engage in some form of physical activity, even if it’s less intense than your training. This can help boost your mood and maintain your fitness.

Connect with Others: Reach out to fellow runners or join a running group to maintain social connections and share your experiences. The post-event downtime is a great way to rebalance. Increase your social interactions that may have slipped while you were in hard training.

Reflect and Learn: Take time to reflect on your race and what you learned from it, both physically and emotionally. Use these insights to improve your future training and race experiences.

Seek Professional Help: If your feelings of sadness persist or become overwhelming, consider talking to a mental health professional who can provide guidance and support.

I really value these lessons that running provides. I feel I’ve had so many incredible experiences over the last 12 months that have allowed me to gain greater insight into myself. This allows me to both enjoy ‘downtime’ but also be excited about the growth trajectory I’m on.

Thanks heaps for reading!

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