If you ran the Chicago marathon, recovery goes further than just taking drinking water, eating protein, and taking a long shower after you run the race. It is important to invest in your recovery, particularly if you want to continue to do marathons as the years go on. Whether this was your first marathon or your 20th, proper recovery is always extremely important. Here at Chicago Chiropractic & Sports Injury Centers, our team of experts can help you achieve optimal results post-marathon.
When you run a marathon, your biomechanics will breakdown slightly, meaning that one or more of your muscle groups are being used more than other groups on the each side of your body. Essentially, your body may be asymmetric when you cross the finish line, and you also may have incurred small injuries due to the strain of running 26.2 miles at once. Our chiropractors can re-align your body, and can customize strengthening exercises to get you back into long-distance running.
Additional Training
After you have run a marathon, take some time before you start running extremely long distances again. While you should still be moving, take time to cross-train and get stronger before running again. A new model for marathon recovery shows that getting oxygen-rich blood to damaged muscle tissue through other forms of exercise, such as swimming, can be extremely beneficial to your recovery. Biking, hiking, and cross-training on the elliptical are all great alternatives as well.
You will also want to spend some time on strength training; every runner has weaknesses that can be strengthened to improve their running speed. To improve as a runner, and to properly recover, spend time increasing your general strength, as well as your hip and ankle mobility. This is also a great preventative measure to injury.
At Chicago Chiropractic & Sports Injury Centers, we take marathon recovery seriously, which is why we are offering this promotion: With proof of marathon participation, such as marathon bib, registration, or photo, you can get a complimentary exam and X-ray (if medically necessary) and a treatment!
Contact us today to learn more!
