And after the marathon, what?

Phew! Everything has already happened and we are alive. Dust, but alive. Some miracle, but alive. Many of us have recently run the marathon. Some were already veterans, but for others it was the first (and cruel and addictive) experience.

Neither one of us has been out of it. Those who least have some discomfort, stiffness, tired legs. The worst unemployed? Well, you know, those who could not cross the finish line or, what is worse, who ended up in one of the health posts.

What worries everyone the most in the weeks leading up to the race (and now) was not whether he would complete practice or whether he would be able to finish his particular challenge. What really took them away (and takes away) their sleep is what they are going to do now, that the race has already passed. This is not a strange feeling in the world of athletes. They strive to meet a goal, the test comes, they do it and they are left empty. Although it is easy to get out of this mental quagmire. With the training we have done, our physique is more prepared than ever, while our mind has been relieved of the heavy burden of meeting the challenge in mind. That is, we are free and we have plenty of powers. You just have to channel them into other goals.

Take another race, for example. We are in the middle of the popular tests season. More than 5.000 of these events are held in Spain and most do not exceed 15 kilometres.

Well, now a few tips that you ran for on Sunday. They are very simple and can help you, who may be walking down the stairs on your back from what your quadriceps hurt. Your bodies it will take between two weeks and a month to recover, depending on your nature and the degree of training carried out. That is if you are not injured, which then will be longer.

Speed ​​up the recovery of muscles and joints by moving a little these days. It has to be done. Okay, if you're 'very sick' don't do it, but the right thing to do is jog (very lightly, much slower than running) for a little while (no more than 20 minutes), then undergo a thorough leg and back stretching session . Those who do not run, must stretch. The food these days post-marathon is just as important. We must emphasize carbohydrates, which must be ingested in greater proportion than proteins and lipids. Drinking plenty of water helps cell regeneration. An adequate quantity is three liters per day; the best place to drink it, the office.

No medicines, although a somewhat higher contribution of vitamin C does not hurt. Echinacea (herb with restorative virtues that is available in herbalists) works miracles. Although sometimes taking an aspirin with breakfast for the first few days is 'holy hand'.

Another thing for addicts. Although there are machacas that have run up to 56 marathons in a row, one per week, it is not recommended to run more than 2 or, at most, 3 a year. So, you already know if you have been hooked: think of the autumn ones, like New York, for example. While, to be limited to races of up to half a marathon. Or, much better, think of another sport.

Courage and think about the next one!