Post Marathon: The key to Recovery

First of all, congratulations: you've completed your marathon! Running a marathon is a big achievement, whether it is your first attempt or not. It takes months of dedicated training to achieve this feat. But training isn’t all there is to it. Unless you wish to spend the coming few weeks plagued with soreness, lethargy and a soul-sapping sense of apathy, read on.

What you do in the days following a marathon is just as important as what you did before. Running 42 km places high demands on the body and you’re likely to end up with depleted energy stores, accumulated fluid in the muscles, dehydration and perhaps damaged muscle tissue. So, unsurprisingly, you will be susceptible to injury and infection in the days following the race. You may also be feeling disorientated – or even depressed – in the come-down after achieving such a significant running goal.

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While there’s no formula for calculating how long your body will take to recover, you can make sure you know exactly what your body needs. Here’s how to deal with the most common post-marathon ailments, how to combat the blues and, of course, advice on when and how to resume running.

Muscle Soreness

Most commonly termed as Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), muscle soremess can begin eight or more hours after the race and may linger for up to a week after the marathon. For the first 24 hours after the race, apply ice (wrapped in a cloth) frequently to any painful parts of your legs, keeping it on for about 12 minutes at a time. Elevate your legs and feet for at least an hour after the marathon and for 30 minutes a day for the following week, to help with the soreness.

In the days following the race, hydration is crucial as dehydrated cells can't transport nutrients around the body, nor can you synthesise glycogen correctly. It's important to drink little and often throughout the day, until your urine runs clear and is being produced in normal volume. This will also help flush out lactic acid build up, helping reduce muscle stiffness.

Lack of Energy

A general lack of energy in the week following marathon is typical and expected. Try to eat meals comprising 50-60 per cent carbohydrates to replenish your glycogen reserves, and foods rich in protein to assist your body in repairing muscle and tissue. Indulge any cravings you might have – this is likely your body’s way of telling you what it needs.

Research also indicates that many marathon runners lose around 3mg of iron (about the amount in a serving of beef stew) per day for up to five days after the marathon, so eat foods rich in iron – including meat, spinach, beans, peaches, parsley and peas – during your post-marathon week. To promote iron absorption, drink orange juice or consume other rich sources of vitamin C with your meals.

Weight Gain

Some runners complain of weight gain immediately after a marathon. This is most likely due to water retention as your muscles repair and rebuild. Don’t be tempted to start (or resume) any weight-loss regime during this time – your body requires a full complement of nutrients to recover from the stress of the race. Of course, if you are still gaining weight after your first recovery week, you might want to consider adjusting your calorie intake to suit your new activity levels.

Blisters

The best way to deal with blisters is leave them as they are. In fact, your main concern should be preventing infection. Twice a day, soak your feet for up to 20 minutes in water containing iodine solution. Gently dry your feet, and cover the blistered area with a sterile gauze or plaster. Continue this process until the blister no longer oozes.

If the blister hasn’t opened yet and the pain is unbearable, you might want to consider opening the blister yourself. Clean the area with antiseptic or rubbing alcohol, then pierce the skin close to the base of the blister with a sterilised needle. Apply gentle pressure to drain all the fluid, taking care not to remove the covering layer of skin. You should then treat the area with the instructions above.

If the pain persists, or a redness develops, seek professional advice as you may need antibiotics to fight an infection. Try not to alter your walking style despite any discomfort – by placing undue stress on other leg muscles you will only heighten your risk of a new injury.

Colds

The stress of running a marathon can depress your immune system, leaving you susceptible to colds, flu and other upper respiratory tract infections in the days immediately following the race. Self-care is the best way to reduce your risk of contracting a virus, so make sure you get plenty of sleep, eat well-balanced meals and drink lots of water. You might also find taking herbal remedies such as Echinacea, or nutritional supplements such as zinc and Vitamin C, beneficial. Steer clear of crowded places if possible to reduce your exposure to other people’s allergies.