How long does it take for sore leg muscles to fully recover after a long 5K run? Can I speed the recovery?

Question

How long does it take for sore leg muscles to fully recover after a long 5K run? Can I speed the recovery?

Answer 1

couple days you'll start feeling better.  for the sore muscles if you get some muscle cream from the local phamacy (stuff smells tho) and keep moving around - the more you sit the stiffer your muscles will be and longer it takes for them to fully recover...

Answer 2

the answer can depend on a few things; how hard you ran, your physical endurance or shape etc. After most aerobic activity, it would take muscles anywhere from 36-48 hours to fully recover, but eating foods with proteins (building blocks of muscles), stretching, warming up and cooling down before and after you race, and putting heat, not ice, but heat on your sore muscle spots can really speed up your recovery. Hope this helps!

Answer 3

There is no exact time period.  It may take two or three days for the soreness to really go away, but sitting and doing nothing will not aid this process.  Go out for light, 20-30 minute runs and you'll feel a bit better.  Getting enough water will help as well.  If you eat within 20 minutes of the run, it helps refuel and recover, and the final thing is if you ice, you may feel better

~Abab

Answer 4

Depends on the shape your in, how often you race, and how hard you pushed yourself.  In general the rule is 1 easy day for each mile raced........so that would be 3.  Like another said, just go out and run easy 20-30 min., this will speed the process up and you'll feel great!