From tight calves to lost toenails, racing takes its toll on the body. As a nine-time marathon runner (and an ultramarathoner), I know just how physically demanding the marathon distance is — and how long it can take you to recover from it.
However, there are a few gadgets and products I swear by that can help you get back on your feet (standing, if not running) sooner. From massage guns to Epsom salts, here’s my pick of the best post-marathon recovery products every runner needs.
Nutrition
If you're not going to be having a meal within half an hour of finishing a run or a race, a recovery drink – containing a combination of carbs and protein – can help kickstart the repair process. Likewise, the best electrolytes Health & Injuries.
Banana & Cocoa
Veloforte's recovery shake has a 'taste and texture similar to a homemade chocolate and banana smoothie', according to one tester, with a very natural flavour and thicker consistency. You get 13g complete plant protein from pea, brown rice and pumpkin, as well as 40g of natural carbohydrates, providing the ideal 3:1 recovery ratio.
Science in Sport Hydro Hydration Tablets, Pink Grapefruit Flavour
These effervescent tablets provide 300mg of electrolytes (sodium, calcium, magnesium and potassium) to keep your salts topped up, as well as B vitamins and green tea extract for an extra push. The zingy grapefruit flavour is refreshing, light and not too sickly, too.
Massage guns
These nifty pieces of kit use percussive therapy to reduce soreness, pummelling your muscles to promote blood flow to the targeted area. While they can be an investment, you'll get plenty of use out of them throughout your training, as well as post-race day.
This is one of the best massage guns we've tested, largely due to the heated and cooling head attachments. Pop the cooling head in the freezer and enjoy a powerful post-run cool down after your race. It's surprisingly quiet, too.
A more affordable alternative for pummelling away those post-mara DOMS, with eight different head attachments and 30 different speeds. Plus, it comes in a handy travel case for those marathoning abroad.
This versatile (and excellent value) massage gun gives its user plenty of control, with five speed settings and five massage heads to choose from. It can massage quickly and pretty fiercely, but our tester's experience was pain-free.
> The best massage guns for runners <
Bath soaks
There's no more relaxing way to soothe aching muscles than a warm Epsom salt bath.
Fragranced with violet, jasmine and sandalwood, lay back and soothe tired muscles with these Epsom bath salts. These skin-softening soak are also cruelty free, mineral oil free and vegan friendly.
These award-winning salts blend camomile, vetiver and lavender oils to help you relax and drift off.
Footcare
Your feet may need a revival after all those miles, so why not let this handy electric device do the hard work (after all, you've earned it). It comes with five replacement rollers and removes dry, dead skin and calluses. No need for batteries either, as it's rechargeable.
Remove hard skin in 60 minutes with these exfoliating foot socks. No cutting, scrubbing or pain required, and super easy to use.
Let's face it, those race-day shoes will need some life injected back into them after 26.2 miles. This four-pack of shoe deodorant should do the trick.
> Normatec Premier ditches the hose and compressor <
Recovery shoes
A recovery shoe provides extra support, cushioning and comfort to your feet after a race. The idea is to provide increased stability and support to the soles and the arches of the foot compared with a standard, everyday shoe. And — trust me — they're worth every penny.
These sliders from Crocs will give your feet some much-needed cushioning in the days after your race. Choose from a variety of stylish colours.
I pretty much lived in these the week after my 220km ultramarathon and my feet thanked me for it. They're a happy medium between a super-cushioned recovery shoe and a standard slider, with a luxuriously soft, plushy footbed. Oh, and there's plenty of colours to choose from too.
