When running is your job, recovery after running is all in a day’s work. After an especially tough workout, pro runner and Polar Athlete Molly Huddle prioritizes recovery:
“I’ll take an ice bath, eat something, foam roll, and get a massage,” she says. “Sometimes I’ll try to take a nap, too.”
Recovery is as important to training as the training itself
Running, eating, a massage, and a nap: Sounds like a dream day, right? Many of us it would be but for Huddle – and as many athletes of all levels have come to learn – recovery is part of the job – it's as important to training as the training itself.
As a professional runner Huddle knows it takes more than just running hard and eating well to nab a spot on the podium. Here's how she invests in recovery after running.
Recovery after running a Short race
With goal races, Huddle knows that recovery is extra important, and is the key to getting back on her fast feet as soon as possible.
“After a shorter goal race, I usually take a week off from workouts and just do recovery runs,” she says. “And I make sure I see a chiropractor and get a massage to make sure nothing is injured.”
Recovery after running a marathon
For her New York City Marathon recovery – which came at the end of her season – Huddle’s post podium routine involved short, easy runs every other day for a week.
After a week of easy running on alternate days after a marathon, Huddle continues with easy runs and increases her distance every day for the following month.
Running allowed, hard efforts off-limits
“I don’t do any workouts for about five weeks after a goal race – which is a pretty big break for me,” Huddle says.
“I also tried to throw some yoga in there so I didn’t get too stiff. That’s something I usually try to do in the off-season because I’m so bad at it that it actually makes me a little sore and tired!"
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