Recovery Suggestions?

ArchyJill

Ugh...still trying to recover from a big bout of running I did this weekend. Some funky muscles (e.g. hip flexors) are awful sore...I'm walking around looking like I've ridden a horse all week. Any non-drug suggestions for relief? Ice baths are out for various reasons, but I'm open to pretty much anything at this point. Thanks!

kelsully

I went to GNC this weekend to look for arnica...like Wendy suggested...found a cream called Agility Cream...it is a topical lotion with MSM, Glucosamine Sulfate, Potassium Complex and Arnica...didn't use it yesterday but am about to before I head to gym to see what might work for me for the next week or two...the GNC lady also said arnica is good but MSM supplement is good for recovery and you don't have to take it as often....so we will see....

Could you throw a good yoga session in to stretch everything out?

Janeen216

Bikram Yoga is the best. You get the heat to loosen all those sore muscles while you stretch...

JudoJones

Hot shower before a light workout. You can use very light weights to help stretch. As in doing the circuts but just going through the motions to warm the muscles and help stretch them. Lots of anti-inflamatories to reduce the swelling and alllow the the healing to happen. I know you said no ice baths but after i was recovering from some 2 hamstring pulls & a left quad pull leading up to some major competition. (dehydration due to cutting weight) The routine was workout, massage, ice bath. Most of the team was already doing ice baths anyway due to the excessive training schedule.

Time is also a great rememdy
scott

ArchyJill

I don't usually stretch...in fact I almost never stretch...but this weekend I did! Stupid stretching...lol.

Due for a trip to GNC at any rate so will look for products you mentioned Kels and I am LOVING Scott's idea of a hot shower before the workout.

Thanks

koosdel

Lots of stretching, walking at a moderate pace, and a deep massage.

RunRideRay

What works for me, but a big disclaimer that it may not work for you

1) Ice baths immediately after the workout, actually I do a cold shower...brrrr
2) Ibuprofen (thins the blood and reduces inflammation), take all day.
3) Recovery drink, protein etc.. immediately after
4) Stay active with walking or stretching 4 or 5 hours after the workout
5) Use a foam roller or the running roller to massage my legs, you have to get all the free radicals out, and the tissue is inflamed. This stimulates blood flow and pushes all that garbage out.
6) The legs will be stiff for a few days, so I do a day "off' and try to cycle on the 2nd day after.

Hope it helps, I've done this many, many times and it works great for me.

JudoJones

rainman broke it down pretty good and i forgot about how much the 'foam roller' can help AND it feels sooo good I'm adding that to my list of equipment to get.

gentlebreeze2

Advil, stretching (I stretch my leg muscles in the shower every morning... lol), and yoga is also good. Do you get enough potassium (it's water soluable)? That can make a dif as well.

Suzy12

You own stock in GNC? No? Ok, then don't go there. Buy turmeric. Yep, McCormicks spice. Take a teaspoon with some water and some stevia. Couple times a day......

Natural anti-inflammatory.....and a money saver. Win/win!!

ArchyJill

You own stock in GNC? No? Ok, then don't go there.

LOL....maybe I should buy some stock, eh? Prices aren't that bad if you go the first week of the month and watch for a sale. On the other hand turmeric is cheap and gives me a great excuse to eat lots of curry!