Instead of making fancy cards for your significant other or buying flowers and chocolate I thought it might be nice to turn it around and treat yourself as a Valentine, runner’s style. I think we can all admit that when it comes to ourselves we are really good at the punishment of those long running miles but not very good at the pampering and recovering portion. So below is a list of ideas you can do for yourself to keep running well and stay healthy:
Give yourself the gift of a downward facing dog. I totally understand that you don’t have time for an entire yoga class. Heck, I often have these great intentions of doing a full online yoga class and rarely does it actually come together. Sometimes I proudly announce to my husband that I will be in the office for an hour doing some yoga, only to come out 10 minutes later and shrug, “I just wasn’t feeling it.” So maybe you don’t do a full yoga class. But you can certainly give yourself a few minutes of doing some downward facing dogs. This one stretch, when held for about 30 seconds, can help loosen tight calves, hamstrings and lower back muscles. Take some time and pedal out the calves to work deeper into those knotted muscles.
Just stick it. Like the Nazareth song says, “Love hurts.” Spend a few minutes post long run using the stick. This bad boy will get deep into painful calves, hamstrings and quads. All I can say is that it hurts so good. If you have never used one of these, it is an incredible tool. Just don’t expect it to feel like a nice little massage. This is meant to dig in and hurt. But the results are pretty awesome.
Go ahead and dig into that Valentine’s Day dark chocolate. It is full of antioxidants that help lower your cholesterol and keep your heart healthy. It also helps ward off blood clots and even inflammation. Just don’t give yourself the go ahead and eat ALL of the dark chocolate because if you are anything like me that is a recipe for a another long run to make up for the indulgence!
Whenever we can find Neuhaus chocolates in the U.S. we go ahead and splurge!
Prop your feet up and be a slug. Just for a day! Sometimes the one thing we runners are worst at is taking a break. Although you should keep moving to some extent on your rest days it is ok to give yourself an occasional full day off. Settle in on the couch and read a good book or even better watch some Olympics. I don’t know about you but I can’t get enough right now! Go wild and even take a midday nap!
Bottoms up! Some research says that an ice cold beer after a long run can improve recovery and provide you with some post run antioxidants. It seems the jury is still out on this one, but while they sit and deliberate I say go ahead and have a cold one.
This is my favorite beer of all time. Huma Lupa Licious from Short’s Brewery in MI. If you can get your hands on this IPA go for it!
There are dozens of nice things you can do for yourself. Pull out that dusty foam roller and give it a go, get a manicure and pedicure, whatever it takes to make you feel refreshed and ready to hit the road. Do something nice for yourself and of course don’t forget your loved ones. I am especially lucky this year to have my husband as my Valentine and running partner. We sure make a good team. Perhaps we will be slugs on the couch together and watch some Olympics! Who says romance is dead?!
Running On Healthy 
Great post and suggestions! I will definitely do these and will enjoy splurging with some beer and dark chocolate :))
I always love an excuse for both!
Downward facing dog is awesome. I feel like it stretches my body in all the right places, and my legs especially feel great afterwards.
When I was a child, I never thought I’d ever say it, but: NAAAAAPS… If I could, I’d have them everyday!!!
Dark chocolate? Anytime! :S
On a side note, I’ve always been curious? What are your origins? It’s just that your last name sounds very Ukrainian. Am I mistaken? 😀 Great post as always!
xoxo
Olena
My husband’s family is Polish 🙂
Aaaaaaahhhh! I seeeee! 😀 I’ve got some *very long time ago, but still some* Polish blood in me. Sorry about my curiosity, I just couldn’t contain it anymore lol! xoxo
Great ideas!
Thanks!
glorious. planning on a few of those 🙂
Same here!
I LOVE any kind of self-massage tool. This V-day, though, I think I will splurge on the real deal at the spa! 🙂
That is an excellent idea. Enjoy!
…well, this year I am single so I do have to spoil myself. Good suggestions, although I do have a 23-mile run on Saturday (prep for the LA Marathon) so couching it sounds like the best option.
Might as well throw a beer in there on the couch. Chalk it up to pre 23 mile recovery 🙂
Oh, that’s a given. Cheers!
downward facing dog is such a great multipurpose stretch. I can definitely do with the putting my feet up and eating some chocolate options too 😉
Good ideas! We’re getting so much snow right now, it’s too slushy to run outside, so maybe I’ll switch it up and do some yoga… downward facing dog, here I come!
That’s a great idea. Happy snow day!
Great ideas! I’ve been using the stick this week – it hurts so bad. I’ve also taken a complete rest day. Looks like I just need chocolate and beer and I’m done.
Sounds like a plan!
Nice stuff! I’ve never seen that beer. I seem to recall a trip to Michigan where the big beer was Bells, is that right?
Short’s is a brewery in MI. I grew up with the guy that started it and his beers are amazing. You are right, Bell’s is the MI beer. All good stuff 🙂
I need one of those sticks!
You can find them at about any running store. Pretty great investment.
Amazon has the stick
Awesome. Thanks!
Thanks!
Romance is in the eye of the beholder! Enjoy your day.
Great ideas, I’ll be doing most of them (yoga is out).
I just got the stick… And I love it! It really helps the soreness in the legs. I love your posts!
The stick is a great and painful too…and also works well as an air guitar 😉
Thanks for your positive words!
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