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Active Recovery

6/10/2014

6 Comments

 
Ok, it's now Day 4 post-race, and my legs feel great! Pretty much back to normal. This is GREAT news, as, if you've been reading for a couple of weeks or more now, you'll know that there's the Gold Coast Half Marathon coming up in just over 3 weeks, where I'm aiming to try and beat my last official PB of 1:34. (I am going to try for 1:30!). So, fresh legs are needed.

However, I don't want to jinx myself or to have spoken too soon, so will still be taking it fairly easy for the rest of this week, and will probably do no running (if I can bear it, I may crack over the weekend). So far I have been heeding the advice of aiming for active recovery. That is, still moving, albeit different muscles/movements/exercises, and thus allowing the lactic acid in your sore muscles to dissipate faster, plus you're getting various stretching in too. So far, so good! I have been: walking (our Puppy, so maybe 2 ish kms at a time?), casual cycling around the corner to the shops and restaurants, and this morning I did about 40 minutes of yoga.

I read that unless you have an injury as a result of a race, then absolute bed rest and putting your feet/legs up for a long time leads to a much longer (frustrating) recovery time. However, obviously getting enough sleep is important too. As demonstrated by moi this morning - slept in until half 8 and then ate breakfast and went back to sleep for another couple of hours! Wow, that never happens. I am more than ok with this; my body clearly needed it.

Here are a few articles if you want to read more re: this active recovery vs. complete rest debate:

http://www.runnersworld.com/running-tips/your-best-rest?page=single

http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/training/active-versus-passive-recovery.html

http://running.competitor.com/2014/01/injury-prevention/the-long-run-putting-recovery-to-work_43017




Ok, here's to carrying on this active recovery and fingers crossed my legs continue to feel fine - just off into the hot, humid day to day said Puppy for a walk. Enjoy your day wherever you may be!




What do you like to do after a hard/challenging/big race? How long do you wait until you run again?




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6 Comments
the running schlub link
6/11/2014 03:30:53 am

Great job on the post race recovery. I'm horrible at post race recovery and have no real formula to go by. Your recovery is definitely helping me for my next race. Although I do like to get out for a bike ride when my legs are sore. So there's one lol

Reply
Lou link
6/12/2014 09:17:37 am

Thanks! yep, the bike riding has been helping a lot (although it is not very far at all, very very casual cycling). :)

Reply
dawn link
6/11/2014 10:47:29 am

i totally agree! active recovery is best. i've gone to a couple jazzercise classes this week and did a hot yoga class last night. i feel so much better today!

Reply
Lou link
6/12/2014 09:19:19 am

That's awesome Dawn! have always wanted to try hot yoga. Actually, when doing the quick aerobics/warm-up for the trail race I was reminded of how much I miss going to a class, like aerobics, or even pump or spin. Miss that about living somewhere like Oz or London.
Glad you're feeling heaps better Dawn! :)

Reply
Karen link
6/12/2014 06:04:54 am

That is wonderful you are feeling so good. You are amazingly strong! I bet you will rock the record and and break it. Sleep is a wonderful thing and I am trying to find a way to keep up with all the things life throws at you and still get to bed at a decent hour - a challenge! I love a late sleep day lol Rest and enjoy my friend :)

Reply
Lou link
6/12/2014 09:20:47 am

Thanks heaps Karen!! I hope so, that would be awesome. :) We'll see anyhoo...

Thanks, I have definitely been resting, but starting to feel antsy like I should be working out again already, d'oh...

:)

Reply



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