Each week, one of our our coaches jots down a short thought piece giving insight into elements of coaching, training, racing or mindset. This week Coach Chris talks about the importance of active recovery and how movement is often the best medicine.
When I first moved to Melbourne 8 years ago and started running longer distances, I would usually run with a good friend, Phil. We would run the same events, do the same training runs at the same paces, but would pull up totally differently over the following days. It used to confuse and frustrate the hell out of me. His legs would be fine, whilst I ached and had DOMS for several days. Then we figured out the difference…movement. Phil’s work required him to be on the move a lot of the time, whereas I sat on my arse at a desk for 8 hours the following day. Big difference.
This idea was further cemented when I started doing triathlon and I would do swims or bike rides in the days after a hard run, and again would pull up SO much better. Less DOMS, less stiffness and back into training so much quicker and better. As I often say, "Motion is lotion."
Not only is movement great for our physical recovery but is exceptionally effective at helping us mentally. How many times have you gone for a walk, run, swim or done some form of movement and felt instantly better for it, both physically and mentally? There is a tonne of research that shows positive effects of exercise on work and school performance, as well as mental health. It rarely fails.
There’s no doubt 2020 has been and continues to be a tough year for a lot of people. As a coach, I get a front row seat to a lot of the struggles that people go through and how they deal with them. So many times this year I have encouraged, coerced and virtually pushed people out of the door with the simple aim of moving their bodies, at a time when their minds are rebelling against them. Yes, there may have been a particular session I had in mind, but in this circumstance, that really doesn’t matter and it may even be adding to the mental load that person is dealing with.
So the aim for the day becomes simple.
Move.
Because movement is medicine.