How Do Runners Recover? 7 Best Recovery Practices

How do runners recover? If you’re running every day or training for a marathon, you need to have a targeted recovery plan in place.

After a long run, how you wind down is equally important as how you warm up. When you exercise vigorously, glycogen is depleted because it’s stored for quick energy in your muscles, exercise also breaks down your muscle fibers, and you can get tired all over again. Fortunately, you can do things to make sure you recover properly after a run, like stretching, eating well, doing some light exercise, and more.

Developing a good practice for treating your body correctly after exercise can help to increase your performance and also prevent injuries. 

You might also find our guide on how do runners prevent chaffing useful.

7 Recovery Practices After Long Runs or Races

1. Start Recovery Before You Even Start Running

Prior to your run, be sure to do proper stretching. It can make all the difference in the success of your run and, more importantly, in your recovery following your run. 

Before I ever hit the track or route, I do dynamic stretches such as butt kicks, walking lunges, high knees, torso twists, and leg swings. 

2. Stretch 

You did your stretches before your run, but it’s just as important to do stretches after you finish your race. For this, you can do static stretching.

Try holding your stretches for 10-30 seconds. You can also do things such as standing quad stretches and toe touches. 

3. Cool Down After Your Runs 

After your run, walking for half a mile or even about 10 minutes is a great cool-down. This will help your body return to its normal status, and it will also help your body to redistribute blood flow, lower breathing and heart rate slowly, allow your body’s temperature to get lower, and flush out metabolic waste products. 

4. Light Exercise The Next Day

On the day following your race, consider a casual half-hour walk, yoga, or even light stretching. All of these things will help with recovery and blood flow. 

5. Use Foam Rollers For Muscle Soreness

One way to help ease muscle aches is to use a foam roller. This is an excellent tool that you can use both before you run and afterward. Foam rollers are a great way to self-massage, and your legs will thank you. 

6. Eat & Drink Well

One of the most important things you can do to jump-start your recovery is to plan your post-run nutrition. After running, many of us wait a couple of hours before we eat, but the best time to eat following a run is within 30 minutes after running. 

Your body will be eager to rebuild, and it needs proper nutrition. If you’re not hungry after a run, consider a smoothie or a protein shake. You need carbs and protein; another option is fruit with Greek yogurt. 

Most importantly, drink plenty of water following your run, and get those electrolytes into your body. 

Check out our guide on how do runners treat blisters.

7. Get Into Some Dry Clothing

Your clothing will be wet after your run, so you need to change as soon as possible. When you put on dry clothing, you’ll keep your muscles nice and warm. This will promote circulation, which will aid in your recovery. 

If you like running, you might be interested in our explainer on is barefoot running healthy?

FAQs About How Runners Recover