Recovering from Ultras

[whiterhino]

Other than stretching, resting, fluids and possibly massage are there any other methods for hastening recovery between long events ?

Myself and 2 colleagues (all HM Forces personnel) are running 5 Ultras over the period 31 March to 23 June. This is roughly the period over which the Falklands Campaign was fought 25 years ago. We are raising funds for the chairty Combat Stress which provides ex-service personnel with treatment for mental injuries sustained during combat.

To raise the profile a little 3 of our races form the "Triple Crown" (Fling, Devil and full race along the West Highland Way), this involves doing a 42 miler on 9 June and a 95 miler on 23 June. We are getting lots of comment on why we should not attempt this, but little comment on how to maximise our chances.
We are doing decent training, and basically intend to do very little in between these last 2 races to maximise recovery. Does anybody have any tips ? Thanks.
More detail on our endeavour can be found here... www.justgiving.com/whwrace07

[Zinal]

phew.........cut out the booze, but there again it might be the only way to get through it? sounds like a great cause

[IainR]

Well done for trying the triple crown. I'm doing the Highland Fling and the WHW, I've done the Devil O The Highlands previously, but decided it was too close to the WHW.

When I did the WHW last time I did 3 ultras in 2 months, which I found harsh, especially as I didn't really recover from the WHW, the first race.

The main thing is getting the food in during the events and runing the events sensibly (well as sensible as you can run 96 miles), so you finish in the best possible shape, so really your recovery starts the moment you start the ultra. I generally take a few days off, then do light jogging.

If I eat well on route, and run off road, I can run 40 odd miles and be back running straight away. Generally after a 40 odd miler I don't even take a day off, but just a steady 5 k the next day, then back training.

Good luck. I do hope the move the DOTH back to August though.

[IainR]

Oh forgot to say, if possible try some sort of ice bath. I just lie in the nearest river, for a few minutes after the race, makes a massive difference to your recovery.

[Alf Tupper]

Wow , good luck to you and your mates, good cause.
Someone said they'd use a hard brush on their muscles and it'd worked , i tried it on Saturday and no DOMS next day or day after at all.
The only other thing which u may well have looked at is the use of 'skins' , these are really meant to work.
But rest , rest and more of the same. Tim Noakes 'Lore of running' is good reading , if a little wordy. Also i've found these useful movinshoes.com ultrunr.com and extremeultrarunning.com
Good Luck , You CAN do it.

[Grouse]

Alf: what is 'skins' please?