From bath salts to joint gel, we test pain remedies this marathon season
IF you are one of the runners training for next week’s London Marathon, you will know about pain, injuries and soreness.
But have you thought about recovery?
If you want to make a swift return to training – and running – you need to think of recovery as part of the marathon process just as training is.
Today Jane Atkinson looks at cool ways to ease the pain . . .
Sprinkle some salts
YOGA Om Recovery Bath Salts by Verdant Alchemy claim to aid recovery and relax the body.
The main ingredient is magnesium sulfate (Epsom salts), which helps regulate the contraction of muscles to prevent them from cramping or going into spasm.
It also helps replenish red blood cells which provide your body with oxygen during exertion.
These bath salts also have a heady mix of oils from grapefruit, ylang ylang, patchouli, lemongrass and basil which combine to improve mood, relax muscles and boost energy levels.
You need one handful under a running bath and it smells like you’re in a fancy spa.
It’s not cheap at £12 for 100g and £45 for 500g but my muscles did feel more relaxed after a long run.
Chill out in cold baths
COLD showers and ice baths are highly recommended to reduce inflammation.
In the days following runs, they can help promote blood flow and circulation which helps to accelerate healing time.
This may seem extreme, but the Lumi Recovery Pod is a home ice bath that you can pop up in your garden.
It aids recovery and five minutes submerging your body in 5C can help to boost immunity, circulation, energy and sleep patterns.
I thought this might be a faff but it took a couple of minutes to assemble, then I filled it with water and a bag of ice.
It has an all-weather lid or a flat pack bag to store away.
It was so reinvigorating both for muscles and mind and I felt re-energised after.
- Lumi Recovery Pod Ice Bath, £75 reduced from £125, lumitherapy.co.uk
Time to gel
HEMPE CBD Ice Muscle and Joint Gel constricts blood vessels, which helps reduce swelling, inflammation, bruising and eases pain by numbing the area.
Non-greasy and fast absorbing, the gel is enriched with CBD and blended with menthol and other essential oils, such as pinus sylvestris oil, for a nice cooling sensation.
It also does a hot gel which stretches the muscles and increases movement with less pain, allowing the muscles to relax while the joints are soothed, accelerating healing time.
This felt great on my tired legs – the massage helps too.
- HEMPE CBD Ice Muscle and Joint Gel, 50ml , £21.99, hir.global/collections/hempe