Post-Race Procedures: After the Battle

In the past few installments we’ve covered all of the Pre-Race Procedures, and now it is time to cover the aprè race.  Now, if you have won your race, many of these come after your podium, prizes, etc., but since there are usually only a few podium spots, most folks can start here. 

Most of us are also not lucky enough to have a fleet of soigneurs to catch us at the line, and take care of everything for us.  Watching Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne a few weeks ago, they really showed the path of racers after a victory.  Bobbie Traxsel was greeted immediately after crossing the line, by his wife and newborn, his DS, and a number of soigneurs to catch him.  There is a tent, or building used at races to take the podium placers to after the race, where they are cleaned up, change, and today, warm up.  After 5hours racing in the rain and cold, I’d be absolutely freezing.  That’s where some post race discipline comes in:

1. Collect Your Stuff:  At the start line, you might have left that jacket, or warmers, or spare bottle.  Always try to fetch your stuff, especially if you are looking for warm clothes.  Primes, prize money also included.
2. Get out of that kit:  Everyone knows of the few guys that will finish their race, and continue for hours on end to stay in their kit.  This is bad on so many counts.  First, the chamois on your fancy shorts is a great breeding ground for bacteria that will lead to saddle sores.  That is why our chamois cream includes Tea Tree Oil.  The rest of the kit is also usually soaked with sweat, water, mud, and other elements that will keep you cold as long as you have the kit on.  Find a changing room, car, anywhere out of the elements and get changed.
3. Take care of yourself:  After a nasty ‘cross race, you are most likely coated in a combination of mud, embrocation, sand, and it is a great idea to get rid of it asap.  The embro will continue to burn as you stand around, and I prefer to remove it.  Winston’s has a remover coming, but a cold wet rag will do a pretty good job.  After removing your embro or debris, I will massage in a post ride/race cream.  We also have our own version of this coming very soon.  This cream is designed to soothe your muscles, and a massage will flush some toxins out of your legs.  Once you are cleaned up, find comfy clothes, compression socks or tights to help your recovery begin.  I use 2XU Tights, as well as Sugoi R+R socks.  I feel like it really helps me, others are still out on their effectiveness, but I really need them.
4. Drink, Eat, be Merry:  Before the race, you should have made a recovery bottle, or planned food to help your body repair itself.  Now is when you need it.  Researchers say that when recovery drinks or food is taken in within 30 minutes of activity, your body uses it as efficiently as possible.  That will restore glycogen stores, and the protein will repair your muscles.  Many recovery drinks will also include needed electrolytes, and amino acids that also do their part in speeding recovery.
5. Relax:  After I have all my other post-race procedures done, it is time for me to relax.  This can mean sitting, watching other races, or setting the cruise control to go home.  Once again, music helps calm me down, and allows me to reflect on the race that was.  I tend to relax and recover alone, because it helps me sort myself out, but once all the steps are done, I’ll join the fold again.

So, take some of these words to heart, and your legs will thank you.  Stay tuned for releases of the Winston’s Embrocation Remover, as well as the Winston’s Recovery Cream.  Please don’t let me catch you in your chamois three hours after the race….

Tags: 2XU, Compression, Embrocation, Embrocation Remover, massage, Post Race, Recovery, Sugoi