The Top 5 Worst Things I Have Done for Recovery

So as per my previous post I have a contest focussed around recovery with some great prize packs from Powered by Chocolate Milk to give away.

For all the details of how to enter visit the post at http://opensourcetriathlon.blogspot.ca/2014/04/prize-packs-to-be-won-thanks-to-powered.html.

However as we all know we often learn from our mistakes and I thought I would share my top 5 things I have done in the past that may have inhibited my ability to recover from that workout or race


5 - Drive 5 to 10 hours immediately post race (or the day after)

Heck, this is often unavoidable but I do remember having to drive back 10 hours following Ironman Couer d'Alene as Leslie had to work the next day. The rest stops were the worst part where I had to lift myself out of the car each time due to my quads not being in a fully functioning state.

An honourable mention goes to flying across the world, have also done that and I tell you 20 hours on a plane post racing is far from optimal!

4 - Not having a change of clothes for "Destination Training Sessions"

To be honest I am not a big fan of driving somewhere to go train from a time efficiency perspective but when I do I have on occasion forgotten to bring a change of clothes. Sitting in bike or run shorts for a long drive home is not something that I  enjoy - so remembering a comfortable set of clothes for post workout is always good to remember.

Another thing to remember is to have adequate food, cold water in the car for post ride. Having a cooler with some ice is good for this and prevents the temptation to eat crap food on the drive home.

3 - Waiting till an injury to visit my Physio or Chiro

I am a big fan of proactive visits to my chiro. I often find that when I wait till an injury or niggle I remember ho many other things are not functioning 100% which often can be the cause of the niggle/injury

2 - Not wearing socks in a Ironman

I will do this again so this is why it is not no.1 but not wearing socks in a ironman run while giving the opportunity for fast T2's does have it side effects. In my last race it was the beautiful appearance of bandage socks

1 - Wearing Dress Shoes to Formal events the night after a 100km Event

So unbeknownst to many I have done a 100km event back in my time in Australia called the Oxfam Trailwalker in Melbourne. All I can say that is after covering 100km you can most probably get a pass for wearing non dress shoes to a engagement party that evening. As over time the feet seem to keep swelling and if you ever take those shoes off you will be walking home shoeless.