My post-workout recovery has been years of trial and error and evolution, but i finally feel like i’ve got it nailed down. It’s now become routine and it requires no thought. It actually came to be after waking up one Sunday morning (after a week of heavy training) feeling completely fresh and rested. that morning, i did one of my best long runs in training that i can remember and since then, i’ve kept my saturday routine just about the same. why mess with something that works? call me superstitious, but if i can have fresh legs on sunday, i’ll do whatever it takes.
the Florida sun is brutal so it’s really important to stay cool and hydrated even after your workout. So, the second i walk in the door, i grab a water bottle from the fridge and an ice pack from the freezer (for my neck). I sip the water while i get my recovery smoothie blended up. (recipe below). As soon as it’s ready and my vitamix is clean, i grab the keys and jump in the car and go down the street to the gas station. i’m pretty sure the folks working there have caught onto my routine, b/c today the girl looked at me (dripping with sweat, still wearing my fuelbelt and compression gear) and asked “Ice?”. Yup. 40 pounds, please. $6.40 later, I get my upperbody workout in just carrying these awkward bags.
Once I’m back home, i feed my dog, turn the cold water on in my bathtub, and start the coffee maker. I grab a sweatshirt and reluctantly get my legs in the water. A friend of mine gave me a great tip– get in the tub while the water is going BEFORE adding the ice, it’s much less intense. for real.
After the ice melts, i jump in the shower, get clean and go straight for the kitchen. My breakfast always consists of a nice bowl of gRAWnola– 1/2 cup of raw granola i purchase from my local farmer’s market (i make my own fairly often, but the cost of ingredients + ample prep time totally make it worth buying to me. i eat it daily, so i go through it faster than i can make it. I add in half a banana, half a peach, and whatever organic berries i have on hand (fresh or frozen) and top it all with almond milk (homemade when possible). I grab my coffee and plop down on the couch with whatever trashy tv i have on my DVR.
Recover(ite)y Smoothie
Ingredients
• 1.5 scoops Recoverite (citrus flavor)
• 3/4 c almond milk (add more for desired consistency)
• large handful frozen organic strawberries
• Few slices frozen Organic mango
• 1 tsp MSM powder
• 1 TBS goji berries
• 6 ice cubes
Blend all ingredients in vitamix until fully blended.
LOVE THIS.
i pretty much end up remaining on my couch after I slip on (well, more like battle with to get on) my compression ice sleeves (seriously genius idea) until the farmer’s market opens at 2, which usually is only about an hour at this point.
hey, it’s not for everyone, but it’s my weekend, and i wouldn’t trade it for a thing.
