It’s all about Recovery

Having been in the track and field business for many years and being a seasoned thrower I’ve learned that sports is about recovery.  If you want to preform at your best you have to be able to recover.  A key factor for my longevity in discus throwing has been focusing on recovery.  In looking up the definition of recovery I found, 1. The act, process, duration, or an instance of recovering.  2. A return to a normal condition.  3. Something gained or restored in recovering.

Like a fine wine, I like getting better with age!  And that has been possible by trying to find ways to recover better every year.  In college I started with Sleep, making sure I was getting a good night’s rest.  Then I learned about Icing and putting ice on a sore muscle after a workout.  I spent one whole summer doing yoga to maitain Flexibility. After competing in 3 Olympic games and working on number four, I’ve stepped up my recovery game.

Some things I do daily to help my body train at this level.  Staying Hydrated, I drink a gallon of water a day and I like to treat myself to an occasional coconut water.  Nutrition,  I continue to make dietary changes every year, but since focsuing on whole foods, organic foods and eating seasonal I feel way better than when I ate fastfood all the time.  A focused Warmup and Cool down, making sure I am ready to go before training and stretching really well after.  I used to get in the car and go straight home, talk about stiff, not anymore.  I’ve added in more Sports Massage over the years, I try to get treatment once or twice a week now.  My newest addition this year has been the NormaTec MVP system I first learned about it at World Championships and then I got to use it again at the Pan Am Games.  My legs and arms felt so much better that when I got home, I got a set.

The definition says to return to a normal condition, I want a Better Condition!!  #makeitcount  London 2012