On the 13th of April, I raced in the #TimeToFly50K in California… you can read more about my race day experience here, but keep reading to learn about my post-race recovery efforts!

After a peak race (especially a very long race like a marathon or 50K), I generally take a couple of days totally off from physical activity before implementing some light jogging into my daily routine. During this period, I embrace the non-runner lifestyle to the maximum, and eat whatever my heart desires. I don’t believe in eliminating anything from my diet; rather, I believe that all things should be consumed in moderation. While I tend to limit refined sugars during my training, I definitely allow myself an extra serving of ice cream or a larger-than-normal slice of cake during this downtime. For more information on my typical diet, see this blog post on nutrition.

During these days of reduced activity, I spend lots of time cuddling with my cat, Richard Parker, sleeping, and catching up on international road racing news – honestly, this was the best time of the year to relax on the couch while streaming World Marathon Major races (did someone say Boston AND London within the same week?!).

After a few days away from my athletically oriented lifestyle, I start to become antsy to return to training – I miss the routine, and I miss pushing my body to its limits. Although relaxing in my apartment with Richard Parker is enjoyable for the first several days, my body craves some form of movement.

Three days after the race, my soreness faded enough to hobble down to the local natural hot springs, where my partner and I spent hours relaxing in the mineral-enriched water. Once we finally had enough of the intense sulfur odor, I realized that my muscles felt much better.

The following afternoon, after live-streaming the Boston Marathon, I decided to test out my legs with a thirty-minute jog. Surprisingly, I felt better than expected, and continued to perform short jogs throughout the remainder of the week. These midweek jogs were slower than my usual training pace, but were a way to maintain mental sanity despite abiding by a much more sedentary lifestyle.

That said, I’m not just sitting on my couch all day, every day – thankfully, here in Ecuador, I can go from sitting in my apartment to exploring the nearby Andes mountains within a matter of  hours. On Thursday, I climbed Ilianza Sur Volcan with some friends, a technical high altitude mountain located in the south of Quito. Within less than a week, I went from needing assistance to board a plane, to summiting a 17,000ft mountain – the body’s recovery abilities never cease to amaze me!

It’s important to note, however, that I have been diligent about foam rolling, stretching, and listening to my body during this time period. In the week following the race, I have primarily eschewed morning runs in favor of additional rest. As the body primarily recovers while in a state of relaxation (i.e. sleep), I emphasized the importance of rest.

However, it hasn’t been all fun and games. I did a light workout on Saturday, as I am excited for the next chapter of my running career… stay tuned for an announcement regarding my upcoming race plans!