Post Marathon Blues

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It has now been one week since my 1st full marathon (race review here), and I'm finally starting to feel like myself again. I struggled during this past week to find the motivation to even do a recovery run, and then when I did it was painful and my legs felt like they were right back out there on the Surrey course struggling to get even one step further. But today, today I finally feel better, I'm back up to a normal pace and have no aches or pains to speak of (knock on wood!). I am still sad though that my big race for the year is done, so I think it might be time to start considering what's up next...

The following are my current options:

1. I had considered (before finishing Surrey) doing the Boundary Bay Full Marathon on November 3rd, but have since decided that I'd rather do the half. I think I still want some time to process what happened during my 1st marathon so I can do better the next time around. I also did this half last year, and it was really flat and a great course to attempt a PR!

2. This isn't a full marathon, but I'm super excited that I'll be heading to Florida in November for the Run Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon! Stay tuned for upcoming posts about this weekend and a really awesome related giveaway!

3. Rock n' Roll Arizona Marathon - January 19, 2014
I'd love to do this race because if I were to do this AND the Las Vegas Rn'R Half later in the same year I'd get an awesome medal... but that means I will have to jump right back into marathon training and I just don't know how I feel about that. It would be convenient though since my in-laws have a place in Palm Springs for the winter and they could babysit (I think... you guys want to babysit right???).

4. LA Marathon - March 9, 2014
This one is on my bucket list so it would be nice to check that off next year. However, the timing is inconvenient because it is typically a different type of race weekend for my family (cars), which means I would be on my own, and that's not very appealing... I don't think I'd mind running in LA but the driving in LA might kill me.

5. BMO Vancouver Marathon - May 4, 2014
I think I am pretty much certain that I'll be doing this full next year but the question is, can I wait that long for marathon #2?

How long does it typically take you to recover from a marathon or half marathon? Have you done any of these races, or do you have any recommendations?