Marathon blues are real: hormones and lost purpose cause the emotional crash
After a marathon, runners feel sad and unmotivated for several days. Two things cause this: hormones drop sharply and their training goal suddenly ends.
Runners often feel happy crossing the finish line. But within days, many feel sad, flat or unmotivated.
Two things cause this. First, the body drops dopamine and endorphins - chemicals that create the runner's high during the race.
Second, months of training suddenly end, so the structure and purpose vanishes. Sports psychologist Jaqui Louder says this happens to other athletes too.
But marathons make it stronger because they demand so much time, energy and planning. Generally, the blues last only a few days.
- within 24 hours
- Time to blues onset
- a few days
- Duration
Why it mattersRunners can feel let down when energy crashes instead of staying high. Knowing why it happens helps athletes prepare mentally and know the feeling is normal.
AustraliaThe TCS Sydney Marathon has partnered with an app called Marathon State of Mind to offer 40,000 participants free post-race mental support, including a month of after-care coaching.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 45 d ago
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