Prioritizing Recovery!
What’s up guys?! I hope you’re having a wonderful day today. You’re halfway through the week and I’m so thankful you decided to stop by and check out my blog. Today we’re talking about prioritizing recovery! As an athlete, recovery is a MUST. Even if you don’t think you’re “at that level” you still need to take care of your body!
Stretching and foam rolling was nothing something that I used to do very often. However, when I first started my fitness journey, I was already at a disadvantage. When I was a teenager, I got into a bad car wreck so my back needs occasional alignments. Add endurance running and weight lifting to that and I need EXTRA help. This time around, I know better and have gone through all the rehab to understand the important of prioritizing recovery!
Stretching and Foam Rolling
I mentioned these first because these are the simplest to do and the cheapest. Foam rollers are inexpensive but you can also use a softball to hit certain spots. Being able to perform myofascial release is important because your muscles will get tight from working out. Stretching is a daily thing for me. A quick stretch after a workout is great but deeper stretching will be extremely beneficial in the long run.
Need help with foam rolling? Check out this simple lower body routine!
Chiropractor/Sports Doctor
This may not be in your price range but it may be beneficial if you find that you keep getting injured. However, this gets tricky. Some doctors are not runners and will want you to stop all activity. You may have to search until you find “the one”. These doctors understand what your needs are and will help you get better and keep you better. My chiropractor comes from a sports background and will frequently share tips to help me stay healthy while continuing to run. He understands my needs and adjusts me frequently to avoid having to take a break from running.
Compression/Cryotherapy
There are so many storefront therapy clinics opening up that cater to weekend warriors. These places tend to offer compression therapy, cryotherapy, as well as assisted stretching. If you don’t want to go to insurance/sports doctor route, this may be the way for you. Whenever my miles start adding up and I want to help the recovery process, I’ll pop in for some time in the compression boots. These apply pressure to your legs and help aid recovery. Using these tools wisely will keep you running at your full potential.
What do you do to prioritize recovery?
