Post-Race Depression?
Is it possible?
I did wildflower this weekend. I traveled halfway across the country, I had a great time, well I had fun, I had a shitty time (seriously 1.5hours slower then usual). I think slowness was due to it being slightly hilly.. It was challenging to practice for that in Chicago, on a trainer 
Guess I need more hills.
But since then I have been seriously down. Like I dont want to do anything, questioning the whole triathlon thing, not wanting to answer the phone or even write a RR. WTF? usually after a race im tired and feel as if I rock
Speaking of which I wasnt near as tired as usual?? Perhaps I took it too easy on the hills compared to before?
Perhaps part of why I am depressed is I have never spent that much time on a triathlon course before. And was way off what I was hoping for, and now im freaking out about a full IM with quite a few more hills? I still think I can do it, i just have to get up to Madison or something more often.
Has anyone gone through this before? How can I deal with it? im normally fairly optimistic and energetic, but since I returned to Chicago everything is ...meh.
Comments
Jason,
Yes, it's possible. No, you're not the only one.
Last year, after a great HIM, I seriously didn't want to do anything for 2 weeks. Couldn't bring myself to workout, and I don't think I was that fun to be around. For me, I think it was a function of reaching really, really deep in the race, and not resting well enough for a while afterwards.
I've found that I tend to feel that way when I'm under-rested. It seems like, with the long race, all the travel, and getting back to normal life, being under-rested is a very reasonable possibility.
In addition, it sounds like you're putting some pressure on yourself as far as "what does all this mean for IMWI?" I'd say that it's almost impossible to take one tri performance (at a really f'ing hard HIM) and extrapolate what it means for a different race, especially IMWI. Best thing you can do is to trust that you're pretty fit, you've got a bunch of time to get more fit, and not worry about a race in September during the first week of May.
If the feeling continues, find someone to talk to. A friend who's a good listener, a tri teammate, or a professional. And just talk through what you're feeling. You might be surprised what you find out.
Mike
its actually IM Nice in June, but I think I get what your saying. I may be under rested, I slept about 4 hours a night Friday sat and sunday, I got 7 last night but maybe just need to relax a bit. 4 hours the night after a race, and not necessarily good ones (got a nice sunburn) may not have been enough.
I definately appreciate the ideas, I may just relax this week, just train and see if catching up on sleep helps. I am definately feeling the pressure for france
I think it's pretty common. I hear about it more with IM. Definitely a sign to stand down. Take it easy for a few days.
Not to worry you but I notice on your signature that you are scheduled to do IM Louisville and the Chicago Marathon as well as IM France. That's quite a load. Have you done that much racing at that volume before?
Last year I had surgery in march then did 2 half IM and chicago marathon. before that a few olympics etc.. I did adventure racing before that. marathons and 50ks.
I may have taken on a lot, but typically I do, Last year I also worked 2 jobs (1 48 hours, 1 16 hour) & was a full time masters student while doing those races..
Felt like I was cutting back by quitting my part time job and finishing my masters degree so I could use that time to train
For me, a less-than-stellar performance at one race usually pushes me harder to train and achieve my goals on the next event. Kinda like a "well, you did this to me - now I'm going to do THAT to you!" type of experience. Know what I mean?!?
The others have given some great advice...stand down, rest, and just enjoy yourself doing nothing formal for a few weeks and see how it all rolls together again.
Slacker!
Jason,
We all put so much into training for a race, it's not uncommon to be a bit down after a race. It's also important to remember as Rich points out, 'it's all just a game'. A game we spend a lot of time, money, emotional and physical stress on, but still a game. Remember, we do this for fun. If it's not fun, you've got to find out why.
For me, I just try to keep things in perspective. Health, family, friends. That's what's most important.
Why do you race? I race to have a goal to shoot for, but also to have fun in a competitive environment. In the end, I want to be active, fit, and healthy and doing triathlon enables me to do that.
I'm sure, like everything, this too shall pass. Hang in there and do something fun with your fitness after you recover from WF.
Dave
I still haven't written my race report from IMAZ last November. Usually it's out within a couple days. The stress of work (70hrs a week), the lousy weather (upper 30's and 20-30mph winds), and the fact that I was training on my own (friends were all done racing for the season and had moved on to 12oz training) made it mentally tough to get to the taper. After the race was Thanks Giving and then a few weeks later Christmas. So on top of the post-IM there was the post-holiday and subsequent winter blues.
Through the month of December I was able to ride the post-IM “high” and just bounce from one holiday party to the next. Once January hit I didn’t want to move from my couch. Showing up late for work, no motivation to workout, not even yoga. If it wasn’t a video game or maybe a movie I really didn’t want to do it. In February, I ended up in a walking boot for a couple of weeks due to an injured toe and ended up breaking up with a very sweet girlfriend. That was my low point.
Some time that month I set a start date of 3/1 to get back on the bike and in the running shoes. I used that date as also the start of getting my sh!t together. It didn’t happen all at once but crawled out of that hole and back to myself.
I’ve never had a race hit me that hard before. It might have something to do with how much I put in to get there or how badly I wanted that finish (ran 17 of 26 miles through an asthma attack).
There are several others here who have attempted to race too hard or too much and ended up burnt out. They finished their seasons but had to take a year or two off from half and full iron distance racing. For me, this season is all about doing cool stuff with my fitness. Sprints, Olympics, and cool stuff like the Warrior Dash and the IMOO Rally. If I’m feeling better by September then I’ll register for IMOO in 2011.
Jason,
I'm so glad to read that. I feel it's really important to turn the negatives into learning experiences, and not just wallow. The more you do that, the more ANY experience--great or disappointing--can be used to make us stronger and more balanced as people and athletes. To move on from being shaken from disappointment, analyze why we are feeling that way in the first place, then objectively look at what can be learned and improved--that's Ironmind, baby. So much power to be had in doing that. Great on you!