If you take your running seriously, you might be following a strict training plan to help you achieve new personal bests. You might be consumed with every detail of how to structure that threshold run or hill session. It’s easy to get embroiled in the minutiae of your training plan, but how much thought are you giving to your recovery strategy after a hard session?
If you want to keep improving and reduce injury risk, it’s hugely important to plan your recovery and treat it with as much respect as your training plan. “Recovery is as important as hard training,” says physiotherapist Mark Buckingham from Witty Pask & Buckingham (wpbphysio.co.uk). “During the recovery process, your body is able to make the adaptations and gains driven by the hard sessions. If you skimp on the recovery you will not get the best from your training.”