Recovery run

Last night I wrote I was "exhausted" after the first interval training in the current cycle. At least I thought I was. Wrong again! Because when I got up this morning, then I realised what truly "exhausted" means. I felt extremely tired in my body; in my mind I thought I remembered the fatigue that comes after the intervals, but clearly I have forgotten! So it was a tough day to get through. Just as well I only planned a recovery run today.

Now I am sure to many of you "recovery run" sounds like self-contradictory terms. But in truth quick and easy runs help your legs to recover. Again according to the book by Pfitzinger and Douglas, "recovery runs improve blood flow through the muscles; this process improves the repair of damaged muscle cells, removes waste products, and brings nutrients to your muscles". And I can testify this is true. Psychologically, however, it is more difficult than you think to do a successful recovery run. As a runner your tendency is to run longer and faster, which obviously defeats the whole purpose of recovery run. It is even harder to decide when to take a day off completely from running. This is the time when I wish I had a coach. In January this year I got myself a serious injury for the first time since I started training for the marathon four years ago. I will write properly about this injury later, but of course with the benefit of hindsight I shouldn't have gone out for training on that day, and the injury could surely be avoided. Proper rest and quick recovery is a big key to complete your marathon training successfully.

Today: 5 miles
Weekly mileage 29 miles