26.2 miles isn’t just 26.2 miles. It’s 1,000s of miles of training to support the actual race. That’s a lot of pavement underneath my feet. When I signed up for the Boston marathon I walked into it with little knowledge. I foolishly figured I would just run weekly and eventually have enough mileage, strength and endurance to cross the finish line. But I realized early on that going the distance was more than just running.
Like pregnancy and motherhood, my journey to the marathon included a ton of surprises—and lots of late-night researching. I spent countless hours looking for the perfect gear that wouldn’t chafe and shoes that fit in just the right way (and would cause the least amount of toenail loss—gross, I know). Quality and quantity of the right meals were also challenges. Figuring out what to eat pre- and post-training to avoid upsetting my stomach or making me sluggish. I also learned how crucial it was to find the right fit in a running group and a coach who could help me find the right balance of miles in my training—and encouragement to find the time while balancing being a mom.
Most importantly, I learned a lot about what I needed to do to support my body and allow for rest and recovery. The training process is physically and mentally BRUTAL. Allowing my body to rest and recuperate through active recovery was key to preventing injury—and insanity. Here are a few of the ways that I found to restore my body and mind while preparing for the finish line. Whether you’re training for a marathon or a 5K, I hope they help you go the extra mile!
Float therapy
Not only did training suck up a TON of time, but my perfectionist tendencies created additional stress. Float therapy was a saving grace, a way to chill out and forgive myself.
How it works: tanks in dark private rooms hold 1,000 pounds of epsom salts in 180 gallons of water to create an anti-gravity experience that takes all the pressure off your body. It feels like your floating on a cloud in a trippy, other-world. I’ve been a fan since day one when I tried it at Float House in Vancouver. It relieved some muscle soreness, but the real benefit to me was the meditative relief from the stress of training.
Prices vary and many spas offer special membership rates or discounted rates for your first float. It’s hard – if not impossible – to replicate the physical experience of a float at home, but if it’s the calming effect you’re after, draw an epsom salt bath and employ your favorite meditative practice during the soak (I personally like to put on a sound bath).
Meal-kit delivery service
Adding in a training regimen to three kiddos, work, and life demands wasn’t easy. I struggled to find time to eat as much as my body needed, let alone meal prep. So I turned to a Texas-based meal subscription called Snap Kitchen. GAME CHANGER.
I was able to choose from an extensive breakfast, lunch, dinner, drink and snack menu (my faves: bison quinoa hash and turkey bolognese) and the nutrient-rich meals were delivered straight to my door. Just like that, meal prep was done for the week. (Bonus, the food is all gluten free, and doesn’t have artificial preservatives or colors, antibiotics, or added hormones.) Life was a million times easier with the portable, pre-prepped meals that were substantial enough to fuel my training, soccer and school drop offs and work.
Meal subscription services not in your budget? I also found a ton of great resources here, here and here that can guide you through building a meal plan for training on your own.
IV hydration therapy
Pre-marathon training, I thought IV hydration therapy was just a fancy hangover cure. Turns out these nutrient-enhanced drips may also help jumpstart the recovery process by replenishing fluids and balancing mineral and vitamin deficiencies that you need after endurance training. There’s conflicting research surrounding IV therapy’s efficacy, but, even if it’s a placebo effect, I felt more hydrated after my Myers’ cocktail from IVitamin in Austin. My body tends to retain the infusion and feel a tad swollen for a few days post-drip, so I prefer smaller amounts and would recommend giving yourself a few days buffer before race day if you give it a try.
Total hydration isn’t cheap. IV therapy varies but is usually between $175 and $225 per drip. It delivers nutrients more quickly into your bloodstream, but you could use regular oral supplements instead and make sure to drink LOTS of water.
Sports massage
During training, I developed an issue with my IT band that caused my knee to go haywire. I thought I was going to have to get an MRI, but then my sister-in-law recommended that I get a sports massage at Myo Massage in Austin. These massages use DEEP pressure to increase blood flow to muscles, helping repair the damage sustained through intense activity. It hurt like hell and I was covered in bruises, but ultimately the benefits – decreased swelling, reduced muscle tension and soreness, injury prevention and reduced overall stress – were worth the pain. They worked my IT band out and now my knee is fixed!
Another great way to get a deep tissue massage is with a foam roller. These inexpensive workout tools can help you relieve pain, tightness and increase flexibility from the comfort of your home. Check out rolling techniques on YouTube.
Cryotherapy
Cryo treatments aid in recovery by exposing the body to intensely cold temperatures—like -220 Fahrenheit. Sounds insane, I know. The exposure—which comes via a liquid nitrogen-spewing cylindrical chamber—makes the blood rush from your arms and legs to your core. Your body then goes into survival mode and the experience resets your circulatory system. Research is limited, but anecdotal evidence suggests that cyro can help athletes reduce inflammation, speed tissue repair and temporarily abate muscle pain.
Jared swore by this practice during his training process, so I tried it. The truth? I HATED it. It’s a physically miserable process. It’s beyond freezing, you lose some feeling in your limbs and feel like you are being stuck with needles for three minutes. BUT you feel like a million bucks afterwards, so I think there is value in this type of recovery. (Though you won’t catch me in a cryo tube post-race – no thanks).
Cryo is pretty pricey at about $100 bucks for roughly a 3-minute treatment. If you don’t want to fork over the cash to freeze your ass off – I don’t blame you. A good, old-fashioned ice bath in your tub will give you similar benefits.
Supplements
The marathon training process really took a toll on me mentally, creating a lot of extra anxiety. My doctor recommended that I take Pure Encapsulations Ashwagandha supplements to nudge my body into processing cortisol a bit better. Ashwagandha is an herb in the pepper family that’s been used for several millennia to help the body moderate physical and mental stress. It also supports cardiovascular health, cognition and memory function. Once I started taking it regularly, I felt much better. I also take their Glutathione supplement – a powerful antioxidant with a wealth of benefits that helps the body function optimally.
34 Comments
Stephanie T
For me, I do easy yoga, easy swimming, and long walks with my dog for the following few days. The only distance I’ve completed is a half, but a marathon is on my bucket list. Immediately after long races is a deep massage and icing my joints. Both you and Jared did amazing yesterday! So proud of both of you!
Carly
You were awesome Gen! Congrats on finishing! 🙂
Emilee
Hey Gen! This is awesome! I’m training for my first half and super struggling on the rest and recovery part. I feel like if I’m not out putting in the work and getting in the miles then there’s no way I will make my goal come race day. I know, I KNOW that it’s wrong. I am going to try out some of your tips.
Tracy
Hey Gen, just wondering how far in advance
Did you start training?
Samantha
All you insanely hard work paid off! Congratulations!
Alison
You did awesome Gen! Thanks for the tips. I ran my first 5k a few years ago. I didn’t realize at that time how important it is to take care of yourself after the race.I ended up feeling pretty sick afterward. I have been wanting to run again. These are great tips!
Mary Elizabeth Wallin
Congratulations on the finish!! I LOVE all your post marathon restoration! I did a Tough Mudder in 2013 and couldn’t believe how sore I was the next day! But we went to a bluegrass concert that night, a Sunday, and it was low in attendance. We spent the set break on the floor doing yoga. It was an incredible weekend that I will never forget! So, I would add bluegrass and yoga to your list! 😉
Diane L Amendola
Gen I was so inspired by your drive and passion to run this marathon. It made me decide to be my daughter’s running partner in her Girl’s on the Run 5k this Saturday. I used to run all the time when I was in the Army but after multiple knee injuries I gave up running. Now over 10 years later I have motivation from my baby girl (well she’s not a baby anymore) and was inspired by both you and Jared so much that I’ve been prepping myself as well. Thank you for the tips in this blog post, I currently use a few of these already but I’m grateful for the additional tips too. Thank you!
Karen
You had a great marathon! Can you do a post on the gear you found best as well?
Stacy
This is GREAT to know!! Thank you. I would like to do my first 5K and have quite a way to go. I have no idea where to start.
Susan Zamzow
Gen, so inspired by you and Jared’s accomplishment! You are so inspiring! Thanks for being so honest in your blog. I really appreciate your candor. Many blessings to you & the family –
Paula
It is awesome that you went out and tried this….. I drink a gallon A-day water take my Supplements. I tried a mill prep every week but sometimes I’ll use a service… I don’t do float their AP but a nice hot Epsom salt bath is great for recovery.
Erika Sudz
Excellent job in Boston! I was cheering both of you on from the comfort of my office in San Antonio. I am just now starting some training after a health issue and I really appreciate your tips. I’ve done cryotherapy here in Boerne. No thank you! I also did vitamin c infusion during cancer treatment. It works wonders! Very excited to see what wonderful things you and Jared will do once SPN ends . I sincerely hope y’all take time to enjoy your beautiful family.
Beth Hagen
Congrats to you both on the Boston Marathon those hills are a killer especially Heartbreak Hill
Till next year
Kim Jacobs
Great blog post! I love that you have also included some inexpensive alternatives as well as the more pricey options. Not everyone can afford those, but still want to train or compete.
You should be absolutely proud of yourself for not only finishing the Boston Marathon, but also for doing in a pretty decent time. Your were nearly an hour faster than that husband of yours! Well done.
Sanskriti
Congrats Gen on finishing the marathon!?
Ashlea long
GREAT JOB!! I AM SO PROUD OF YOU AND JARED. INHAVE THE WORST TIME RUNNING , I AM VERY HARD ON MYSELF AND SEEM TO HAVE AN ISSUE WITH BREATHING. ANY TIPS ?
Becky Houseman
Loved the blog, Gen, and congrats on this accomplishment! I really appreciate you adding some budget friendly alternatives as well. I am not training for a marathon but I am trying to work out more so some of these will come in handy! I use Pure Encapsulations vitamins as well and they’re just wonderful.
Elena Alkhimova
Genevieve, you and Jared are such great persons! What you do is very important for many people. you are an example to follow in everything. I love you and your beautiful kids. Be happy Padalecki Family!
Helen Harfield
Gen, first, congratulations! What an achievement! I’ve been following your progress and you’ve really inspired me to keep going. Second, thanks for this- really useful info and great that you’ve got the inexpensive options in the mix too.
Thanks for keeping me going and enjoy your post-marathon high and rest! I hope you’ll treat yourself to a pizza or burger and a milkshake though- you’ve earned it!
Morgane
I’ve begun running since November (Thanks to the Bad Idea Tour actually) and you guys are such an inspiration! Running was the sport I hated the most before I started and now I’m running every two days. As far as I’m concerned I drink orange juice after my training, I take a hot shower to relax my muscles and I sleep a looooot (but I assume it’s not easy with 3 kids 🙁 )
Oh and yeah: the foam roller is my lovely friend!
By the way congratulations to you and Jared for finishing the Boston Marathon!! I followed the race throughout my phone and I was so happy to see both of you crossing the finish line 😉
Paige
Congratulations on finishing the marathon!!! I’m so proud of y’all!!! If y’all want to run another one, we would love to have you in Nashville! There is a half and a full marathon that is happening in a few days! I hope y’all have a speedy recovery! Love y’all!!! ❤❤❤ #restpadsrest
Laura Rogers
Congratulations on all your hard work and success. Thank you for you tips and I really appreciate that you made your suggestions but also added a similar tip that isn’t as costly. Keep up the great blogs. You ROCK!!!
Mona
You and Jared did a great run . Congratulations on the Boston Marathon !
Rhonda
Gen, I did not realize what all you did just to prepare for the Boston Marathon. Now I have even more respect for you. I admire you as a wife and mother, I don’t know how you do it.
Sherri
Congratulations Gen! You and Jared did a fabulous job reaching that finish line! Thank you so much for all these awesome tips! Many blessings to you, Jared and your children.
Roberta
Truly inspiring!!! Thank you for the recommendations. and congrats for finishing the marathon!!! Faster than jared even!! So proud of you girl!!
Maria Lyle
Gen, you are so amazing. Congratulations on your win. It’s such a huge accomplishment and you rocked it out of the park. Take care. Love always to you and your family
Mirelle Ozeryanskiy
SO proud of you!!!☺️???
Andrea
Dear Gen,
I have been trying to train for a marathon too in my town. However, it’s not a far distance, it’s only a 10k. I struggle to get myself into the right mind set to just do it, and my question is, how did you motivate yourself to do train everyday.
I’m strict on myself with routine, and planning but I just can’t get myself to stick to it, and I’m a huge fan of running. I just stopped, and decided to give it a try after seeing how you train and you did it for a good cause, and that just really inspired me.
Jen F
Meal services are a GODSEND in my house! As a working mom of 3, I don’t have the time or energy to be creative. I subscribe to two: Hello Fresh and Everyplate, and my family LOVES them!
Eileen
Congrats, you flew! Really amazing finish for both you and Jared. I signed up for Strava and joined the challenge, but none of my activity is registering. Others are also having the same problem. There doesn’t seem to be anywhere on the Strava app to request help or report an issue. If the premium app upgrade is required to join the 5K challlenge, I feel like that wasn’t mentioned. Can you help?
CHRISTINE
I appreciate your honest assessment of some of these approaches. Congratulations on your marathon. You really owned it. I’m very proud of you and Jared for raising money for girls participating in sports. Really, a great cause.
Vince Borja
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