Observations on recovery from racing

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Written by Glenn Macnamara Sunday, 02 May 2010 15:47

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Observations on recovery from racing

Who does NOT want to achieve the best possible result from their races?

A rhetorical question I guess!

It always fascinates me listening and watching our bodies recover from endurance events. There seems to be distinct differences in the-shall we say- abilities of athletes to recuperate from races. Usually elite athletes recover the quickest from these long and demanding exertions.

Some athletes certainly have remarkable powers to recover and perform soon after big races. Two athletes who spring to mind in this regard are Raynard Tissink and the late great Benny Vansteelant.

I count myself very fortunate to have trained with both athletes.

Somehow, both of them could produce top class performances within a very short space of time. Benny always said it was due to conditioning.

While I feel he was correct to some extent, I think certain genetic disposition also plays a role. Benny could race two Powerman duathlons in consecutive weekends and win them comfortably. Raynard did similar feats last year when he raced two Ironman races within 3 weeks and managed to win the second race and get a top finish in the other race. We cannot all follow their examples though and expect to keep recording top results. There is an old proverb about wanting all the cookies in the cookie jar. (now a Hip-Hop song too: can't keep my hand, my hand, from the cookie jar!)

If you eat all the cookies close together there is indeed a chance you may feel ill. Just ask any kid at a party with a mouthful of cake and sweets in his stomach at the same time!

That’s my first point about racing and recovery.