By Dane Rauschenberg, ASEA Athlete
Having run 52 marathons in 52 weekends, one of the most asked questions I get is how I recovered every week. I always inwardly sigh a bit because I know I don’t really have the answer. The truth is, no one else does either. But the difference is I am not afraid to admit it. With that caveat, however, I can tell you some of the things I have tried which appear to work for me.
BE PREPARED
The best way to recover from exercise and strenuous activity is to do your best to stay healthy and active for the majority of the time anyway. Obviously this is not the greatest of help to those who are looking to end a period of inactivity or unhealthy habits but it is a simple law of Newton’s: bodes in motion tend to stay in motion. Even if you are inactive, get moving. Today. Recovery will come much quicker once you lead a healthier lifestyle.
EAT WELL
Humans are complex machines, and no two are the same. What foods and drinks work well for one might not work for another. But there really is no secret to food, for the most part. Balance your proteins, carbs, and sugars with vegetables and fruits. It’s not sexy. I call it the common sense diet. Personally, I feel eating lean beef has always kept me in the best shape by helping me prepare my body for the strenuous activity I put it through on a regular basis.
THE INTANGIBLES
So much is unknown about how we do what we do. The old adage of picking right the parents to guarantee good genes is clever but can be misleading too. No one in my immediate family was a runner of any sort. There was no reason to believe I could do anything like I have done. Yet, I had the mindset to try and conquer what might be impossible. I have used ASEA for six years now to fill in the gaps of the unknown. I experiment with different sleeping cycles and training regimens. I do my best to shake things up whenever as possible. Mixing up life and keeping it fresh is the best way possible to help make sure each day is a revitalized and rejuvenated one.
And if all else fails, try a nice long run. It solves most of my problems.