Thursday, March 13, 2008

Post-Marathon Recovery Tips, Part 1

Here are a few suggestions to help speed your recovery and enhance your marathon experience:

1. Do Hydrate: Water is OK, but fruit juices and sports drinks are better.

2. Do post-marathon walks or light jogging: this helps to flush the lactic acid out of tired, fatigued muscles.

3. Even better, Do Cross training Activities: Take a break from running. Swimming or biking works great! No pounding and helps to relieve mental burnout.

4. Do treat yourself to a massage: Feels great with many of the same benefits in #3 above. A good substitiute is to use The Stick, available at most running shops.

5. Stretch, stretch, stretch! Again, helps to flush lactic acid from the muscles and restore a comfortable muscualr range of motion. The Pro Stretch works great for the lower leg muscles.


Steven Loder, CSCS has been a competitive runner since 1978 and has completed numerous marathons and is a 1998 Boston Marathon Qualifier. You can check out his running and marathon coaching services through his website, www.newbeginning4all.com.

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