I'm right there with you as I finished the Baltimore Marathon on Saturday.  I usually stick to cross-training for the first few days as a way to avoid impact.  I did an easy bike spin the day after the race and the past few days I have been on an elliptical machine.  I may try a short run tomorrow depending on how my blisters are doing.  I will gradually work runs back into my exercise routine over the next few weeks and will essentially go with the reversed taper model of slowly rebuilding mileage.  I hope that helps.  Let me know if you have any more questions or comments.

Good luck and happy running!

Jay

All I can tell you is this: I tried to follow other's advice on "a light mile or two on monday is essential after a marathon."  Huh, I barely made it half a mile. I laid up for a week or so and got back into some light  running a week or so after that. Why put yourself through more pain when what your muscles and joints need is rest?

Congratulations!  I also completed my first marathon on Sunday in Chicago.  The second I finished the race, I thought I would never do that again.  But, by day 3 I was already trying to figure out when my next one will be.  I think I may be addicted!

My muscles were very, very sore the first two days, but Ibuprofen seemed to help a little.  The best thing I did though was get a sports massage on Tuesday.  It was a little painful, but I felt like I could jump off that table and start running again.