Tips For Recovery From An Event Like An Ironman

The Ironman is for sure an amazing accomplishment for any athlete.  There are those athletes out there that compete  in Ironmans around the world.  Some do them back to back with very little recovery time.  

How do they recover?

There are many ways to recover after strenuous activity.  I would like to bring your attention to the following suggestions:

IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE RACE :

• Replenish -  Carbs, Proteins and fluids – lots of them!
• Movement – Keep walking and moving around
• Massage – A light flushing massage is best!
• Take a cool bath – immerse body
• Elevate your feet – for a short while and rest
• Walk more – in the early evening
• Sleep – get to be early

THE DAY AFTER…

• Replenish – All food is fine!
• Movement – light activity for no more than 20min.
• Love your legs – compress them, elevate them, gently massage them

These suggestions should help you feel better the next couple of days following an extreme event such as an Ironman.  Truthfully, the above suggestions would help anyone recover after any strenuous activity.  The above information can be expanded on by going to the source where I found the information.  It is called xtri.com.  The article was written by Chuckie V for an athlete that he coached who competed in 2 Ironmans 35days apart.  Chuckie goes into great detail and also discusses what to do the over the following 2 weeks after an Ironman.  The article is called Post Ironman Recovery.

What caught my eye was the advice given about not eating fats after the race, using compression and gentle massage.  Not eating fats can be easily done.  Finding compression shorts and other clothing is easy as well.  Compression clothing is in a lot of the literature out right now.  There are compression suites, socks, shorts etc.  The gentle massage can be achieved by going to somebody, having a friend massage you or massaging yourself.

This is where The Stick comes in.  When you use The Stick as a massage tool, you control the intensity 100%.  As you roll over your muscles, you are able to go as light or as heavy as you like.  The other beautiful thing is, you don’t need to leave your house, hotel or anywhere you are staying.  You do not need any special equipment, like a mat or gloves or electricity.  You can simply just sit, stand, lie or kneel and roll out your muscles!

Original Body Stick

Videos About How to Use The Stick On Horses

I found a fantastic website for Horses!  What is even more exciting, is that there is video of The Stick and The TriggerWheel being used on a horse named “Big Guy”.  The tips that are posted in the video apply to handling a horse and responding to what the horse is telling you as you massage their muscles.

I should mention that using The Stick on horses is not a new thing!  Equine or horse massage has been around for years.  Many equine Massage Therapists and Chiropractors use tools such as The Stick and TriggerWheel to help them in their work.

This is the video using The Stick

 

This is the video using The TriggerWheel

 

The Blog is called Horse Ideology.  There is loads of very good information.  I would go there if I were you!

The Stick and Recovery

I always love to hear how people are using The Stick!  I actually search for people who use this muscle device and see how they apply it to their daily routines.

Many people refer to The Stick as a muscle massager, massage stick or muscle stick.  Whatever you like to call it, The Stick works!

I just found a guy named Tim Hull.  He calls himself and his website TheStrengthDoctor.com.  Here is his bio:

“My Name is Tim Hull. I have worked in the health and fitness field in various ways for over 15 years. I have licenses in Physical Therapy and Massage Therapy.  Currently I work in a Physical Therapy outpatient clinic in Ohio working with a variety of patients. Also working on some exciting projects to be announced soon!

My passion is developing workouts that offer variety, fun, are challenging, and most of all are effective. I love to share my knowledge of training and rehabilitation, so that others may benefit and improve their health. ”

On Tim’s blog, he wrote:

Recovery With Massage Stick

There is a growing movement of people using foam rollers to prepare the muscles for exercise and recover from their workouts. Though rollers do a good job, prefer to use “The Stick”.

I feel that The Stick works better for me and is not as awkward as foam rollers.

Go -here- for the whole article!

He really has some good stuff on his site!!

 

 

Best Stretches at Your Desk.

I found a nice little article that gives some tips for stretching out @ your desk when you are at work or working in the siting position for some time.  Here is an exert:

“Sitting in front of a desk every day can wreak havoc on your body, especially since most of us don’t have the best posture. Hunching the shoulders and slumping in your seat can cause back pain, headaches, tension and tightness in your back, neck and shoulders. The following stretches target the muscles of the back, neck and shoulders as well as the hips and glutes. Taking time to do some of these stretches throughout the day can help increase flexibility and reduce tension and stress.”

You can find the whole article here – Best Stretches for Office Workers

I would like to add in my two cents by saying that The Stick is in fact, the perfect tool for putting the “pop” back into your busy lifestyle.  By rolling out your muscles, you increase circulation, flexibility and reduce stress all at the same time. 

I have included a video and a picture to help see what I mean!!

Forearms

 For more pictures, please go here – Specific Techniques .  I have loads of pictures!  Everything from standing to sitting to kneeling to sitting on the ground!!