29/01/2026
RECOVERY TIPS AFTER THE BACKYARD ULTRA🏃🏼♀️
First 24 Hours: Control Soreness
Your goal here should be to calm inflammation, rehydrate and refuel
Rehydrate aggressively, but smartly - avoid chugging water. Regular sips throughout the day🥛
Eat high carb foods ASAP! Think: rice based meals, potatoes, oats, smoothies etc..
Gentle movement beats couch potato! 🛋️
A 20-30 min easy walking every couple of hours and light mobility will help, but no static stretching into pain
Sleep for a minimum of 8 hours 💤
Days 2-3: Restore, Don’t “Train”
Your goal here should be to restore nervous system and muscle & connective tissue
Zero intense exercise 👌🏻
Running should be at conversational pace ONLY, 30–45 min max
Reduce volume & intensity in the gym by at least 50% 🌓
Protein is key & carbs really matter - glycogen depletion is real after a backyard ultra!! 😴
Omega-3s (fish, flax seeds etc..), plenty of green veggies, and berries to help reduce inflammation further ⬇️
Soft tissue work 💆🏻♂️
Light sports massage to aid recovery, reduce inflammation & flush out. Avoid “digging for pain.” If it makes you tense up, it’s too much!
Days 3+: Rebuild the Engine
Your goal here should be to regain rhythm without re-breaking yourself
Follow the “2 good days” rule: Two consecutive days of feeling decent before increasing volume or intensity (back to your norm).
Continue mobility work, but for longer & deeper stretches 🙆🏻♂️
Soft tissue work: Slightly firmer sports massage to continue recovery, reduce muscle soreness & feel “reset” 💆♀️
BEST OF LUCK TO YOU ALL!! LEAVE EVERYTHING OUT THERE.… 💪🏻
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Rehabify - Injury & Sports Massage
Jay Adams | Clinical Lead 👨🏼💻
https://www.rehabify.co.uk
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