massage

How to Recover Fast and Foods that Help

After working out, especially if you've worked out for over an hour, it’s essential that you replenish your muscles and body with the needed nutrients. During prolonged and/or intense exercise, your muscle tissue breaks down. By replenishing your muscles quickly, you will recover faster and feel stronger.

So, what does that mean and how do you repair your muscles? You eat and drink! First off, make sure you hydrate during the workout and then replace the lost fluids post workout. Next, eat a 4:1 carb to protein source. Carbs are your energy and protein provides the amino acids needed to rebuild muscle tissue. 

Here are some good options that will get you close to the recommended 4:1 ratio:

  • English muffin with 2 tbs of almond butter = 3:1
  • Banana and 2 tbs almond butter = 4:1
  • Smoothie: 1/2 c water, 1/2 c milk, banana & 1/2 c blueberries and 2 ice cubes = 3:1
  • Horizon Low fat Chocolate Milk box = 3:1

After eating and drinking, make sure you stretch out those tired muscles. And allow your body to rest, especially if the workout was intense, in order to allow the body to repair at a natural pace. We love foam rolling or getting a massage after a long run. 

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Half-Marathon Recovery

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Here are our top tips for optimal recovery the week after a Half-Marathon:

1) Take at least 2 days off from running and any strenous activity

2) Ice and then ice those muscles and joints some more (continue icing for as long as you feel sore)

3) Take a yoga or pilates class or go for a bike ride a few days after

4) Listen to your body - your recovery time will be different from others. Start running again when you feel ready! Make your first run back an easy, short run.

5) Get a massage! A massage will help repair and heal your muslces so you can get back out there.

6) Reward yourself and smile! You did it!

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7 Reasons Why Massage is Great for Runners

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We asked one of our favorite Brooklyn massage therapists (who has helped us recover from many a long run) to discuss the merits of massage and why it's great for runners. 

by Jennifer Mayer, LMT

PREVENT: Massage can help prevent injuries by increasing fluidity in tissues, increase range of motion and increase flexibility. Additionally, massage is an excellent way to gain valuable information about the condition of your muscles and work out any potential areas of tightness that could lead to an injury.

STRETCH: Stretching improves range of motion, muscle flexibility and prevents injury. All three are important factors to keep you running healthy and injury free.

FLUSH: Running produces lactic acid, a metabolic waste product the gets stuck in the muscles. Lactic acid causes pain and discomfort by irritating the nerves in the muscle tissue. Massage flushes lactic acid out of the muscles, enabling you to recover quicker, with less pain and discomfort from workouts.

EASE: Massage helps the body move freely and with more ease. When muscle repairs itself after exercise and strength building, the muscle fibers are misaligned. Massage helps realign these fibers.

HEAL: By increasing blood flow, massage helps injuries recover faster by bringing essential nutrients and tissue repairing cells to the injury site. This increased flow also removes wastes created by the injury quicker, further supporting the healing process.

SUPPORT: Massage with an emphasis on structural alignment helps runners keep good posture and structural integrity by releasing tightness throughout the body. Releasing tight feet can do wonders for your gate and low back or hip pain.

DOWN TIME: Rest is an important aspect of any training regime. Massage encourages time for rejuvenation to restore your reserves.

Jennifer Mayer is a licensed massage therapist practicing in Brooklyn, NY. Over the past 8 years as an LMT Jennifer has had the pleasure to work with athletes from all backgrounds. From eager rock climbing kids, to professional cyclo-cross racers to individuals training for 10ks and triathlons to Olympic runners. Jennifer also specializes in prenatal and postpartum massage. You can visit her website www.mamamoonnyc.com for more information.