Still, every single time I run a marathon, I can’t believe that I actually did it.Â
HOW did I cross the finish line of my seventh last weekend?
The older I’ve gotten, the more value I’ve put on recovery — because I love running and the joy it’s added to my life, so I want to be able to do it as long as possible.
Over the past few years after doing things like relays, running festivals and two marathons in one month…I’ve needed to learn how to recover for real.
Duh. Even/especially the pros do it.
2. Epsom Salt Bath.
 When I was younger, I used to be more hardcore and take ice baths…but I just can’t hang like that any more and prefer the coziness of a warm/hot bath. (Apparently I’m right on trend; a recent study found that heat is more helpful than ice on muscles. SWEET.)
I know, this thing looks like a torture device…and it sort of is. But man, does it help get into muscles to relieve restricted blood flow so that your muscles can grow and repair. And it feels a little easier to roll this over my muscles rather than putting all of my weight on top of a foam roller. It’s also awesome for traveling.
AND! You can win one by commenting below with your favorite recovery techniques.
I meannnnn, Ryan Hall did it, and he has the fastest U.S. half marathon record, so…
But I first tried these babies after Chicago a few years ago, and I really think they’re why I was able to go on and do a long run that weekend and then run NYCM two weeks after that.
My friends at Custom PT are offering a Fresh Legs special from now until December 31 — buy one, get one 50% off. Their Fresh Legs includes 15 minutes in these babies and 30 minutes of hell soft tissue work.Â
OWWWWWW.Â
But…10/10, would Fresh Leg again. (Though, full disclosure, I got a free service to tell you about it, but I probably would have done it anyway.)
Tell me for a chance to win a Stick — what’s your fave running recovery method? [This will stay open until 9PM EST on 11/15)
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Taking a week off of exercise followed by all the yoga!!!
The Roll Recovery R8!
Rest and celebration of course! :)
I always do a warm bath (and some wine!)
My r8 and some torturous Gaston scraping! And a beer
I'm all about a long epsom salt bath and begging my husband to rub out my legs.
A friend recently suggested a short yoga video to do post-run, which I'm loving! I also love/hate foam rolling as recovery.
Yoga!
Compression calf sleeves. I feel like everyone has these, but I finally bought a pair after a half marathon last year and holy moly what a difference! I now wear them after every long distance race.
Roll out on a foam roller! I'd love to try the compression boots someday and I used to have the stick but someone "borrowed" it and never gave it back so it'd be awesome to win this one haha!