Recovery

 Salam.

I joined Standard Chartered 10KM run yesterday. My last Standard Chartered run was in 2018 and I was way younger then, and with a lot more practices and preparations.

 I was contracted with COVID-19 3 weeks prior the run so the last run I had was a month before the event. Except for weekly hiking with my pals and weekly pilates, there was no running at all post COVID. It was evident that I was not prepared but to be honest I don’t feel that bad.

First, I know I could do better, with practices (lots of it and being consistent of course) and preparation. So I can blame lack of practice, but lack of practice was not entirely my fault, I was being careful because of COVID-19 post effect. Totally mastering the art of dodgery here. Just like empty promises I commit after previous running events, I will practice more prior to d-day for upcoming events. 

Second, I learned a lot on the recovery bits this time around. I read a book about recovery as part of preparation for running events, but it doesn’t really bother me that much because I thought that will only be applicable to the runner that ran for half marathon or full marathon. As a quarter-marathoner, I thought I will not require much of recovery. During previous running event, I usually had another outting with my friends either during lunch or in the evening because I don’t really feel the sore or discomfort. 

Apparently, recent running event prove me wrong. This was my first running event after I hit 30 and my usual training was not more than 5km, so having to run straight for 10km was totally a new experience. I obviously need that recovery this time around. 

I subscribe to weekly pilates and fortunately, my pilates instructor is also a physiotherapist, so she helped to do recovery massage on my legs and lower back. There were some ultrasound involved and patch with wires, looking like ECG giving small vibration to the area with the patch bringing me instant relief. The sore is still here but a lot less. 

I hope this is not another empty promises I commit to myself, but I will, as much as possible, incorporate recovery as part of my preparation. My physiotherapist asked me to not miss doing stretching before and after the run or any exercise, to help protect my muscle, or else I will face the music 30 years later. Perhaps earlier if I am still in denial, lazy, ignorant and take whatever privilege I am having now for granted. 

It occurs to me that in term of running, in order to get personal best and feel good about it, what I need to do are the basics in life. Preparation and recovery. 

Preparation as in the effort to reach the goals, it could be food intake, good rest and sleep, consistent practices. 

Recovery could be rest or treatment required (if any) with regards to injuries, heartbreak (in case of another tragedy in love department) and break for the body, soul and mind to absorb what is happening to us so we are clear on the next step. 

Rest, treatment and in overall, recovery, are what our body deserved after having to suffer with us, coping with our greed to prove our point and reach our goals. Crow Pose, Candlestick on the Cadillac, (I googled this), 10km within 50 mins or an hour, 42km within 5 hours could be the goals but none of these are possible without cooperative body and mind.

So let’s give our body, soul and mind the respect they deserved.