Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Guest Post: My Favorite Forms of Running Recovery

Posted by CheapRunnerMike

While the 3CheapRunners are slamming Singapore Slings on a Dominican beach, we have asked a few of our blogging buddies to handle our posts for us.  Today we have Chelsea from The Dancing Runner taking over…Thanks Chelsea!

Hello! My name is Chelsea Ross and I blog over at The Dancing Runner. I’m excited to be doing this guest post for my buds 3CheapRunners!

I’m an avid marathon runner and group fitness instructor in the Dallas, TX area. I have been teaching for a little over 2 years now and I love it! I teach spin classes 3 times a week and I also love to run. I have run 9 marathons, a slew of half marathons and various other distances. Running for me is more than just a workout…it’s a release and a moment I have to myself where I can clear my head and just hit the pavement. I have also made some amazing friendships through joining a local running group! That's me in the middle...the Black girl with the pink on.

chelsea

With all of the running and working out I do…I think it’s so important between races to focus on recovery. I think it’s one of the most important parts of a marathon training program! Recovery is a way to recharge your batteries both mentally and physically and prevents injury. I wanted to share with you some of my favorite forms of recovery!

Massage: Definitely my favorite way to recover is by getting a massage. I recommend sports/deep tissue massages! So good for your runners muscles and for getting the kinks out. I get these done about once a month and definitely a couple of days after a race. They tend to be a bit pricey but so worth it in the long run (pun intended). Also if you work for a corporation check with your benefits to see if they offer a flex spending account…and you can get them paid for each month! I love having the flex spending account option.

Yoga: Yoga has seriously been a lifesaver when it comes to my running. I now practice yoga twice a week and I am definitely reaping the benefits. As a runner our muscles (especially hamstrings and hips) tend to tighten up and staying loose and limber really is key. Here are some amazing yoga stretches you can do at home.  I do these after EVERY run. Taking the time to stretch may seem cumbersome but just do it. You will thank yourself later.

Foam rolling/Massage stick: I always try to have a foam roller/massage stick handy. I actually keep my foam roller in my living room as a constant reminder to get my roll on. I also recommend bringing a travel size version of either one of these with you if you are traveling for a marathon or race. Bring able to roll the kinks out post race is always beneficial!

Compression socks: Seriously do not know what I would do without these babies. I wear them around the house, at work, to sleep, during and after races! They really help with blood circulation and recovery. Plus they are just fun to wear and come in some pretty awesome colors. Check out the Pro Compression website and join their mailing list…they are always sending out some great deals and steals!

Thanks so much 3CheapRunners for letting me crash your blog today! Run hard and recover happy!

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