Recovery isn’t just an afterthought – it’s how you adapt to your run training and actually get faster!
Since 1998, I’ve been running workouts, racing, and trying to run high mileage. I’ve put myself through the rigors of cross country, trail races, the steeplechase, and my college coach’s brutal workouts.
Starting in 2010, I’ve been coaching endurance runners around the world competing in a variety of races and goals. From staying healthy to new marathon PR’s, passing the FBI’s fitness test, or building a big aerobic engine, coaching has provided an avenue for solving runner’s problems.
Throughout it all, recovery strategies have been put to the test:
- Ice baths
- Dry needling
- Full rest
- Massage guns
- Foam rollers
- Compression boots
- Supplements
I even interviewed 9 pro athletes on their personal favorite approaches to recovery, compiling their advice in a free digital book. I’m a little obsessed.
And while I love all the fun recovery toys on the market (they all have some value, in some contexts!), they’re not the most effective recovery strategies for runners that exist.
If you wanted to focus on what worked best – and truly dial in your recovery – what would you focus on?
Today’s episode of the Strength Running Podcast explores this important question.
Running’s Best Recovery Strategies
My coaching focus on recovery started because I was injury-prone as an athlete. Particularly during my cross country and track career at Connecticut College, I was routinely injured and couldn’t train.
I’ve had nearly every major injury:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Achilles tendinopathy
- IT Band Syndrome
- SI Joint problems
- Arch, hamstring, and calf strains
Each injury brought reduced training, mental anguish, and the sinking feeling that I was watching all of my hard-earned running fitness disappear. It was horrible.
As a coach, it’s my goal to help you prevent the problems I experienced and use best practices to stay healthier.
Today on the podcast, I’m sharing the lessons I’ve learned about the best recovery strategies for runners. For more, get our Little Black Book of Recovery & Prevention.
Make sure you’re subscribed to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen!
Resources:
- Step by step injury prevention (email series)
- Recovery best practices (video)
- Strengthen your midstance (podcast)
Thank you Previnex!
After resisting most supplements for the better part of my life, I’m cautiously changing my tune. I’m now a Masters runner and in my personal life, I’m optimizing for longevity. I want to be my healthiest self for as long as possible and I’m excited to partner with Previnex to make that happen.
Previnex uses the most bioavailable, clinically tested ingredients, the optimal form and dose of each ingredient, pharmaceutical grade manufacturing, testing of raw ingredients and finished products. For every purchase you make, they also donate vitamins to kids in need.
Their new Muscle Health Plus is something I’m now taking. Turning 40 – and having a thin frame – has made me realize that I need to prioritize lean muscle mass to stay healthy and age well. Muscle Health Plus has creatine, essential and branched chain amino acids, and it’s designed in a way to maximize protein synthesis and the absorption of amino acids.
Muscle Health Plus will help you prevent muscle damage, which is particularly important for aging runners who want to protect themselves from muscle loss and recover faster after hard workouts. As is true for all of their products, Previnex adheres to the highest of standards: their ingredients are clinically proven to do what they say they’re going to do.
They’re now offering international shipping so if you live in the UK, Canada, Australia, or anywhere around the world, you can try Previnex as well.
Previnex offers a 30-day money back guarantee. If you don’t feel the benefits of their product, you get your money back no questions asked. With their focus on quality and customer satisfaction, I hope you’ll try it!
Use code jason15 for 15% off your first order at Previnex!
Thank you LMNT!
A big thanks to LMNT for their support of this episode! They make electrolyte drinks for athletes and low-carb folks with no sugar, artificial ingredients, or colors. They are offering a free gift with your purchase at LMNT. And this does NOT have to be your first purchase. You’ll get a sample pack with every flavor so you can try them all before deciding what you like best.
And BIG news! Their newest flavor is now available for a limited time: LEMONADE SALT!
LMNT’s products have some of the highest sodium concentrations that you can find. Anybody who runs a lot knows that sodium, as well as other electrolytes like magnesium and potassium, are essential to our performance and how we feel throughout the day.
If you’re not familiar, LMNT is my favorite way to hydrate. They make electrolytes for athletes and low-carb folks with no Sugar, artificial ingredients, or colors. I’m now in the habit of giving away boxes of LMNT at group runs around Denver and Boulder and everyone loves this stuff.
Boost your performance and your recovery with LMNT. They’re the exclusive hydration partner to Team USA Weightlifting and quite a few professional baseball, hockey, and basketball teams are on regular subscriptions. So check out LMNT to get a free sampler pack and get your hydration optimized for the upcoming season.
