One of the things I love about a marathon is how it strips you down to needing just a couple of things–you are at a pretty base level of existence out there. You want hydration, nutrition, and the blessing of forward progress. And that finish line–where or where is that finish line? You don’t care about much else at that moment.
On a much lesser scale, the same thing happens on long runs of 20 miles or more. This past weekend I ran my first 20 in this training cycle. It was ridiculously humid and my last couple of miles were a bit rough. When I finished up, I wanted only one thing–water. From there I progressed to wanting dry clothing. I was so anxious for this that I changed (along with some friends) right out in the hallway of a building that contained the cafe where we planned to grab coffee/food. It was a pretty isolated hallway, but still, it was public and someone might have happened upon us. Didn’t care–I wanted to be dry and comfortable.
You clearly have no shame when you run errands in these
From there the day’s needs went like this–food, a shower, and a nap. I got them all in (yes!) and felt so much better. But not much else crossed my mind during those first couple of hours post run.
I guess in order to get to my basics–food, water, comfort–immediately post long run, I let some dignity go right out the window. How else do you explain a middle aged woman stripping in a public place and later putting on pink compression socks and wearing them on errands? Not pretty! But I was warm, fed, and watered and that’s all that mattered to me.
What are your big needs immediately post long run?
Yep–water, dry clothes and food are mine too. I was trying to stretch before I had food and one of the kids wanted to play badminton, which made me very cranky pre-food.
Teamarcia recently posted..Looking Back and Moving Forward
I’m always dying to peel off those sweaty clothes!
Gracie (Complicated Day) recently posted..Alive. Hot. Sweaty.
I always need dry clothes. Not always a shower, but I always need to get out of my sweaty clothes and into something dry and clean. Food is usually the next thing since my hungry takes a while to kick in after a long long run.
J recently posted..Street Intervals
Always dry clothes and a cold drink (chocolate milk or water) – it takes a bit before hunger hits me.
Michelle @ Running with Attitude recently posted..August Rewind
Mine is usually some milk based drink depending how warm it is. After that dry clothes and then food. A good nap later on is pure bliss.
Johann recently posted..Running Effort vs. The Time Of Day
WATER!! Always!!! And then definitely shower and food stat! I also just like to have some time to sit still and let my body veg out for a minute!
Krysten Siba Bishop (@darwinianfail) recently posted..Boobie Tuesday – A Moment and A Choice
Pretty much the same for me, usually adding coffee and breakfast.
Kovas – Midwest Multisport Life recently posted..Training Injury and Training Wheels
for me, it’s water. the most i’ve run ever at this point is 20.37 miles, and all i could think about was how water is the most wonderful thing on earth. compression socks are a great idea, too. i need to look into that since my legs hurt so, so much afterwards, and advil doesn’t always get rid of the pain.
Victoria Grabner recently posted..Wine column no. 38: The French are everywhere
Water and a shower. I LOVE my post run shower more than anything. Pure heaven…
Middleaged Runner recently posted..The Aftermath…
WATER give me water!!
Kristy recently posted..Miles For Smiles 5K Race Recap
Definitely water and dry clothes. My LEAST favorite thing is getting cold after a long run b/c you are still in wet clothes. I despise it. I typically am not hungry for a good 30 min after a long, hard run. But once the hunger starts to creep in, I need food ASAP – the longer I wait, the crankier I get =)
Michele @ Nycrunningmama recently posted..Perspective on Pregnant Running
I was the same this weekend, 20 mile run and despearately wating “cold” water…not just any water but cold water! Next is the clothes then lots of food!
Robin recently posted..Guiness Book World Record – Ironman
Food, food, food. There is nothing like a few bags of ice, head to toe compression and a nice meal while sprawling out on the couch after a good long run!
Sheila recently posted..The Labored Day
Oh so true – I always want water water more water and if it’s a long run, to lie down in the floor and put my feet straight up. If it’s insanely hot, ice on my neck too. Yesterday the only thing I wanted after water was to jump into the pool. It was seriously my motivation for the last mile.
Heather (Where’s the Beach) recently posted..Fun Facts Friday – Very Inspiring Blogger Award
Same here – dry clothes, water and food – a nap would be great but doesn’t usually happen:)
Laima womensendurancegear.com recently posted..Training Mishaps and No More Training Wheels!
i would have done the same. Necessities!
lindsay recently posted..Fruits of Our Labor (and Recipe)
Yay for a 20 miler! Great job!!! For me, I need something warm since I usually get really cold after a few minutes. And then of course a drink and something to eat. Then a good stretch and roll session, then shower.
Erin Henderson recently posted..Pocatello Marathon -PR!
Ha- I love how you worded that… warm, fed, and watered. Yep, food, getting warm and a nap are always my top priority too. I can’t imagine doing a long run on a week day when there’s no time to slow down and rest up afterward. Congrats on your first 20 of the cycle!
Laura recently posted..My 5 mile recap and a Labor day Virtual run link up
I agree in Miami, I want so badly out of my dripping clothes that I’ll strip down when I enter our apt..hello neighbors! But then I’m really all about my epsom salt bath and a green smoothie, no idea why but it really just relaxes me…then on a good day david has made pancakes!!
Amanda @RunToTheFinish recently posted..Post Run Pamper -$1000 SpaFinder Giveaway
Wet clothes are the first thing that come off me post run. Usually a shower follows. I’m one of those people who can’t fathom eating anything solid after a long run. I even have to choke down liquids. Next up, getting off my feet!
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama recently posted..Virtual Run and Photo A Day Challenge
My saturday/sunday group strip and shower (pour water over their heads) in the Kroger car park where we start/finish our runs. There are towels involved and as of yet nobody has been flashed (that I know of)! Most of them go for coffee afterwards so like to ‘freshen up’ I don’t bother as I scoot off straight home to rescue my hubbie from our 3 little cherubs ! But, yes absolutely agree, I have forgotten what is is to have any….dignity? I think its since having kids, anything goes round here really. I forget what is and isn’t appropriate in public as I don’t care what any else does. If I’d passed you half naked in the corridor I may not even have noticed but if I had I would had probably asked how your run was ;D Nice work on getting that 20 in!
I peel off my sweaty clothes ASAP because after a few hours I can’t tolerate the smell of my own funk anymore. Then it’s a dry shirt (long-sleeved) and an ice bath for my lower half. If it was a hot run I chug cold chocolate almond milk, if I’m chilly I make it hot cocoa. Then it’s food and finally nap-time. I also rock my compression socks wherever else I need to go for the rest of the day, but mine are boring black. I really want some argyle ones for the fall
Jen @ ConcreteNCoffee recently posted..Sunday (and Monday!) Fundays – All Play and Some Work
My favorite thing after a long run (which for me is laughably short due to an old injury) or long hike is a quart of goat’s milk and LOTS of water. I don’t want to eat much after lots of exertion and the goat’s milk is easier on my stomach. Water is kind of a given. As for running errands in the pink CEPs, well, at least they keep your legs feeling nice. I used to sell them years ago and I still love them!
Warren recently posted..Bone and Blade
Protein smoothie!!
Sit, water, shower. Generally in that order.
Laura recently posted..Ruby’s take on intervals
You hit the trifecta: food, shower, nap! Just don’t try to do all three at the same time… gets messy.
Pavement Runner recently posted..10 Photos from the Weekend
Ha- at least the compression socks are cute!
In winter, my priority post-run is dry clothes or else I’ll never warm up!
In summer it’s usually a cold glass of water.
Abby @ Change of Pace recently posted..Ideal end of summer – Jasper interlude
I am doing my first 20 miler next weekend and my guess is I’ll want for the same things! I definitely need to make sure I pack some clothes to change into!
lauriewalksfast recently posted..A not-so taper week
Well done, girl and I like your fancy socks!
Me? Definitely water, dry clothes, a bite to eat and a nap.
Jen recently posted..The Perfect Body Part II: Today I wore the shorts
Chocolate milk!
That Pink Girl recently posted..Blackland Tri
A big glass of water, taking off my shoes and socks and taking a shower
Kierston recently posted..Baked Oatmeal Protein Muffin Tops!
I need all that you mentioned post long run. I find that a bed is always a plus. And a quiet house. Napping is great recovery.
Char recently posted..Three Things Tuesday (Alliteration Fail!)
I’ve gotten into the habit of feeling the need for a huge glass of milk after a long run. Then a cold shower, which is a new thing this training cycle.
David H. recently posted..The Lost Files, Vol. III
Water. Copious amounts of food. Nap.
Dianna on Maui recently posted..Practical Paleo Review and Giveaway!!
I’m with you! Most important are a shower,food and my compression socks. I always end up at a soccer game wearing them- I’m sure the other soccer moms think I”m weird- oh well- can can do what I want! I ran 20 miles today.
Heather Winkler recently posted..13 13.1s in 2013 Challenge
Water is definitely number one. I am not usually hungry for a little while…but as soon as I start to eat, I can go for hours!
PS I hope you went to Walmart in those socks.
Travel Spot recently posted..Currently: September
My immediate needs include food and a an epsom salt bath. Usually I eat my food in the bath because I am so hungry. I guess that is good runner multi tasking. Then I foam roll and put on a clean pair of compression socks before laying on the couch the rest of the day. I definitely have my priorities.
Tasha @ Healthy Diva recently posted..Frustrated.
Sounds about the same for me after a long run!
Kristen recently posted..Another injury…
My first need is to just sit down! And then I want chocolate milk or a fruit smoothie!
Christine recently posted..(Almost) Wordless Wednesday
Ha ha. I love it. I have those same compression socks but I doubt I’ll ever get the relief you get after doing 20 miles…I can’t fathom running that far.
Love that you just went with it and got into some dry clothes.
Dry clothes, a lot of water and a big, juicy, grilled chicken breast.