What do you think when you hear recovery run?  I can tell you with a great deal of confidence that when I head out for a run the day after a race or hard training run, I’m not thinking it’s a ‘recovery run’.  I’m thinking, “How the heck am I going to get through this and how do I have to go?”

Let’s start with a definition for recovery run: A relatively short easy-paced run performed within 24 hours of a hard training run or race.  This should be the easiest run of the week other than a rest day.  Benefits of a recovery run, running at a relaxed pace include:

• Help you build proper form
• Improve endurance
• Build base mileage
• Help speed up recovery

One of the biggest values from an easy recovery run is that it helps improves one’s endurance.  Mentally as well as physically.   It’s a toss-up which one is more important!  As mentioned above, the mind is screaming ‘NO!’  Beating that monster is a real triumph and is often the only goal when I’m on the road with lead in my legs and feel like I’m running in quicksand.  Physically, I struggle for the first half mile or so.  My legs are tired…it’s physically draining to get my legs turning over at any speed.  I learned to keep at it though…soon enough I’m running faster and more comfortably.  Conquering the mental and physical challenges is empowering.