Weight gain following race

So, yesterday I ran 1/2 marathon and probably ate 1200 calories. Today, I was up 2 pounds. My muscles are very sore and I just slept 11 hours! Do sore muscles hold fluids? This was a little alarming.

Worry not!

The sore muscles are teeny tiny micro tears. It's a good thing because the healing of these tears is what builds new muscle.

What also happens? Well when you injure yourself you swell up a little no? It's all water.

Make sure you get your protein in for the next couple of days (help build up those muscles) and drink lots of water.

Congrats on the 1/2 marathon!

 after long runs and races, I am always down initially from the water loss, but by bedtime after refueling, I almost always am up a couple pounds from where I started the day at.  Not sure why, I assume it has to do with fluid retention and also the body's desire to restore its energy stores as quick as possible (maybe a type of actual starvation response).   

fluid retention!  bsophie and andrew are right and your body will retain fluid as a reaction as well as to heal.  empirically, i can tell you this happens to me everytime as well.  the hydration swings in the days surrounding a big race for me are dramatic, 2 lbs is nothing to worry about!

Awesome! Thanks. :) Ya'll are so smart! 

also, this ALWAYS puts it in perspective for me.  it takes 3500 calories OVER AND BEYOND what you burn to gain 1 pound.  Did you eat 7000 calories in addition to what you normally eat that day?  probably not.