Recovery – Why it's important.

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As we head full steam ahead into racing season it is important to remember that recovery is just as important as the training itself. Recovery in this instance refers to us taking a break after a hard run or taking some time out during our training program. Even though we think recovery is important, it is often the thing that we fail to make sure that we do,  mostly out of fear that we will lose fitness or not hit the goal that we have set for ourselves.

In fact, this is indeed the opposite and unless you take recovery seriously and make sure that it is incorporated into your training plan,  you may find that its not just a day or two that you are taking off, but a whole MONTH OR FEW to recover from an injury that is most likely caused by over training  and hence no racing season for you!

Recovery following hard periods or days of training allows our bodies to adapt to the demands of these sessions and over time improve our performance. Of course, we know that recovery helps to reduce fatigue and you know yourself that hard sessions, especially if you are leading into the peak weeks of marathon training leave us feeling drained and depleted. These are the times to take these recovery days seriously as they will help re-build your glycogen and energy stores, restore those muscle fibres and get you ready for the next workout.

Some signs to look for that may send alarm bells that you need a recovery day are dehydration, a feeling of no energy, soreness that won’t go away, a high resting heart rate or a feeling that you just can’t be bothered!. These are signs that you may need to take a day or two off or even a bit longer to restore your body (or your mind) and let it rest.

Recovery doesn’t have to be total rest, you may opt for a day of cross training like swimming, walking or cycling, but at a lower intensity to what you are accustomed to in your training, but make sure that you allow yourself plenty of time for your body to recover from a hard training day.

Recovering after a race is VERY important and something that should not be avoided. You have worked hard, and you earned that medal, now its OKAY to give yourself a few days to a few weeks off. This may also not involve total rest, but gentle exercise and if you must return to running, build up the miles and speed gradually as your body (especially if you have just run a marathon) has worked a considerable amount and needs time to replenish and restore itself.

Take some time for you and relish in the fact that you made the distance.

Eating for recovery is also important. Making sure that we re-fuel our bodies with good food to help repair our muscles and replace our energy stores. After a hard workout it is important to make sure that you are consuming enough carbohydrate, protein and electrolytes to help replace what you have lost and allow your body to recover. A smoothie after a hard workout is a good option.

Is there something that you do to recover? Share with us in the comments below.

 

 

Lianne Christall – A journey from Marathon to Oxfam 100kms.

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Brisbane Mizuno Wear Test Session at Rebel Sport – Recap by Kaz Landry

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Brisbane Mizuno Wear Test Session at Rebel Sport was a fabulous night, Nicole & Nicole went all out to ensure we RMA gals were well looked after.  Even down to some pre-function entertainment, Justice Crew, which some young fogies didn’t appreciate, singing up a storm in the Queen St Mall.

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Jessica from Mizuno & Daniel the Rebel Sport Brisbane City Store manager were quick to greet us once the group had congregated in the foyer, opening the security gates, YES, we had after hours VIP access, & allowed us to enter Rebel’s inner sanctum.

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We alighted the premises like giddy school girls at their 1st Debutante Ball, not at all resembling crazed Boxing Day shoppers, plus Shez aka Miss Kat was securely harnessed in the praminator.  Once inside we warmly embraced the RMA family, like long lost relatives.

 

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Daniel welcomed us to his store and said how happy he was to have RMA here, there was no hard selling at all!  They offered a 20% discount on any Mizunos purchased on the night and he also allowed us free range of the store! Then got down to the all-important, shoe trialling!

 

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Miss Kat kept a couple of the Cinderella’s entertained during their shoe fittings, with SEVERAL games of Hide & Seek! Tah muchly Jo, Michelle, Kim & Gretlyn. Xx

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Once our fitting was complete & the obligatory photos were taken we headed off through the Queen St Mall with Nicole aka Running Girl guiding the group.

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We meandered over the Victoria Bridge at a nice steady pace, except for young Jo who was dashing back & forth taking photos like a little energiser bunny! We ran chatting & laughing through picturesque Southbank & back over the Brisbane River via the Goodwill Bridge, with only the occasional disruptive squawk from Miss Kat yelling out, ‘Faster mama faster, catch Nicole’!  Yeah right!

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Upon arrival at North Quay City Cat Terminal we posed for a couple (lots) more photos, whilst waiting for the rest of the group to catch up, then took some more photos, as you do.

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On returning to Rebel, we swapped our trial shoes for the real thing, some ladies re-tested the shoes on the treadmill whilst others wander freely around the store apparel shopping, & sampling some of the yummy, healthy refreshments from Body Science and the lovely Courtney talked us through all their products and let us know what would work for us with our running!

 

After purchasing our goods & thanking Jessica, Daniel and Courtney, we said our goodbyes & set off on our merry way home, out for dinner, drinks etc, some even wearing their newly purchased boots.

For someone who doesn’t normally go out on a school night, it was worth the bus trip into downtown Brisvegas, dragging the skilid kicking & screaming, I/we thoroughly enjoyed it!

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