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Recovery Runs

186 bytes added, 21:47, 4 August 2010
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As you probably know from [[How Often To Run]] and [[Supercompensation and Why exercise does not make you fit|Supercompensation]], I do not believe short, easy runs are beneficial. Each run should have a purpose, and doing short, "easy " runs between quality workouts are just [[Toxic Miles]]. I believe in [[How Often To Run|running fewer days a week]] making all running "quality running". However, it is possible to run to improve recovery under some circumstances.
==Hair of the Dog that Bit You==
After a race it is quite possible to suffer from [[Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness]](DOMS). It is even possible to suffer from DOMS after a hard workout, but generally this indicates that the workout was too hard. One of the few ways of improving recovery from DOMS is to do a little bit of exercise. Running when you have DOMS is generally quite painful, and will be limited to shorter distances. These recovery runs will not be enough to build fitness or endurance; the sole goal of a recovery run is to get back to the point where real training can begin again.
==Recovery from Injury==
Some types of injury require complete rest, but there is evidence that a small amount of exercise stress helps rebuilding. With tendon injuries for instance, the new tendon material is laid down in a random pattern, which is weak. A small amount of stress on the tendon will align the material, making the repair much stronger. Too much stress and the tendon will be further injured, so get qualified medical advice.
If you are recovering from an injury (not simple DOMS), I would suggest you get medical advice. Find a sports doctor who is an athlete themselves – they understand the situation much better. In my experience a good sports doctor will only tell you to stop running for short periods or when it is the only option.
== See Also ==
* [[Golden Rule of Training]]
* [[Supercompensation and Why exercise does not make you fit]]
* [[Introduction to Workout Types]]
* [[Introduction to Interval Training]] and [[Safe Speedwork]]
* [[Toxic Miles]]
* [[Fartlek]]
* [[Walking Breaks]]