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 ones 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.

Read more on recovery runs here in this article from Training Peaks- Recovery Runs

And when you finish the Reggae Marathon, you can do you recovery run on Seven Mile Beach!