Two days away from my first Olympic distance Triathlon of the season is just 5 days removed from my half Marathon. One of the most important part of the process is proper recovery. First things first, the best recovery happens during sleep so its important to get the proper amount of sleep. I'm not going to tell you how much sleep you need, I can't even tell you how much I need. Personally some nights I get 6 and feel great others 9. For me I have not used an alarm or didn't wake up before the clock was set to go off for many years including race day and travel days. Point is I don't force sleep but I don't short myself sleep either. Next thing I have been doing is Cryotherapy. I have been doing it a couple times a week for at least the last 6 months probably longer. You stand in a stall with your head sticking out the top and the stall is flooding with liquid nitrogen vapors. I have been doing - 190 F for 3 minutes. There is a whole list of health benefits associated with cold therapy. My understanding is that it improves blood flow to damaged tissue, reduces inflammation and a few other attributes but those first two are enough for me. And as a Triathlete being in the extreme cold gives me a chance to acclimate to the cold environment. Every swim I've done has been in cold water. The next thing I do and have done twice this week is get a sports massage. I can explain the benefits of working toxins out of your muscles and increasing blood and lymph flow but suffice to say who doesn't love a massage. I'm not a nutritionist but for me protein post event or workout is important and quality carbs to restore the Glucose stores. I just realized I'm running late for the dogs vet appt. I'll catch you on the next blog. Shawn