Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Recovery runs–more harm than good?

The recovery run is much debated. It is commonly heard that a complete rest day will do you better than a few easy miles. And that might be true for an extremely challenging race effort or while training for short distances. Just so we are on the same page, I define a recovery run as a relatively short run (3 – 6 miles) at a very comfortable pace – for example a minute slower than a long run and about 2 minutes slower than marathon pace.

recoveryrun

The truth be told, a recovery run does little for recovery. Sure, it can ease the stiffness from the legs but it does not clear away toxins and other bad stuff from your extremities. Your body does a good job of this on its own within several hours of the intensive session.

So why do I like recovery runs? For triathlon and marathon training these types of runs help develop running fitness, plain and simple. But why? The day after a challenging workout your legs are in a fatigued state. In a tempo run it is not the first mile that is the most valuable but the last couple. The same can be said for the long run. You know when the session gets challenging and the legs are heavy. That is when you are making adaptations to run better, faster, farther. The recovery run can extend this beneficial window without all of the initial workout.

So how do you do a recovery run? You start out easy and stay easy for a relatively short distance. You give the run at least a mile for your legs to wake up – your legs will invariably feel fatigued and sluggish following a hard training session. If after that mile or two you are still struggling then shut the run down. Take it easy. Call it day. However, I would say that 9 times out of 10 if your give the session a fair shake you will find that the legs can and do respond. While I don’t get that huge satisfaction of a perfectly executed tempo run the recovery run is one of my favorite sessions. This is a great run to leave the watch at home and take the time to chat with friends and stop and smell the roses.

Disclaimer: A recovery run is great if the legs are tired and heavy. It is okay if the muscles are a little sore to the touch. However, if after a particularly challenging session the feet, ankles, knees, etc. hurt then I would skip the session entirely. The purpose of the run is not to exacerbate recovery but to build running fitness.

Further reading:

A Fresh Perspective on Recovery Runs By Matt Fitzgerald

What are Recovery Runs By Chaim Wizman

6 comments:

Bethany + Ryan said...

I never do recovery runs. Ever. If I feel inclined I might go out for a leisurely walk the next day but I never run. I've been running injury free for 14 years so I don't see the need to change what works for me.

Pounds To Miles said...

Great explanation!

Ransick said...

Very interesting. Thanks for the explanation. I find it hard to fit enough runs in with tri training but I might try to add a couple recovery runs.

Tri-James said...

For a triathlete a recovery ride is just as good if not better. Not as much impact on the bike.

Tri4Success said...

Personally, I prefer a recovery ride. Also works great the same day after a tough run.

Happy Feet 26.2 said...

for me, I think the recovery run is "more good than harm". For the past 2 years, I've increased my mileage. For me to meet my mileage goals, recovery runs are required. Most of the time, I find it to be a SUPER way to loosen up the legs. For me, most of the time, it's exactly as you described, the first mile is TOUGH, but then it starts to feel like a typical run.

For me, the recovery run is where I get the best use out of my Garmin. After the first mile, I start feeling better and have a tendency to want to go too fast. I use the Garmin to keep me slow and at recovery pace.