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Many companies have realised that ‘recovery’, and the art of it, is a multi-billion pound concept when it comes to running and exercise in general.
The fact that getting enough sleep, eating healthy, and listening to your body are more important than any device you can buy is often overlooked by people looking for a shortcut.
Over the past year, I’ve taken control of my sleep and diet, although stressful periods still impact these aspects. However, this “listening to your body” part of the equation is a tricky one.
When your brain is inherently trying to keep you safe, it becomes difficult to know when you actually need a break.
I’m writing this column almost two weeks after running the Helsinki Marathon and my legs, and my body in general, still don’t feel ready for any effort.
As I was naively planning my programme, I thought I would go all out this weekend at Run Norwich. After a midweek run with a friend, it became clear that I wouldn’t be able to do that. What would normally have been an easy pace took me straight back to the final miles of the marathon. It wasn’t a pretty sight.
I’m really looking forward to being part of one of the Wymondham AC teams in the Round Norfolk Relay so I’m determined to get my legs back to life before then.
The Berlin Marathon is only two weeks away, and I think less is better until the energy is restored. Like many, I may have underestimated the effort required to run a full marathon.
The great thing is that I spent part of my “recovery” last week in Chamonix with friends. We got to watch a few of the UTMB races take place and saw the winner Katie Schide on her way to victory. The smile on her face as she arrived in Chamonix will stay with me for a long time and you would have to have a heart of stone not to feel for these runners who conquered the 106 miles with over 10,000m of elevation gain. I just can’t get my head around it.
The UTMB finish line (Image: Mark Armstrong)
If you think you sometimes take running a little too seriously, then go to Chamonix. I felt underdressed without a hydration pack. If there are any “real runners” then this is where they go.
I managed to get a few runs/walks in at the end of the holiday and you won’t find a more scenic running track anywhere; something my son, Logan, loved to do.
Mark Armstrong goes exploring in Chamonix (Photo: Alison Armstrong)
It was a very different holiday to what we are all used to and I loved every minute of it. Although I didn’t get to run as much as I would have liked after the marathon, I managed to get in plenty of yoga with the most beautiful mountain backdrop and lots of walking certainly got the blood flowing in the legs to help with recovery; we won’t stress too much that there was also plenty of beer, bread and brie… but it was a holiday and you have to live a little.
So I end by wishing every runner the best of luck for Run Norwich on Sunday. However you plan to run the race, it remains one of the highlights of the running calendar.
The opportunity to run in our beautiful city can never be missed… I might even enjoy it by taking it a little easier this year.
