Eugene Marathon Weekend and Post Race Recovery

Jesse Klein
May 3, 2023
3 min read

Updated: Apr 29

Eugene Marathon weekend is one of our favorites of the year (and quite the busy one).

Eugene Marathon Health and Wellness Expo - Post Race Recovery

Below, we have some brief tips on post race recovery (keep your eyes peeled for a more complete recovery article from Dr Jenn Randall post race)...

but first: the Zenith-PNW Weekend.

We were happy to participate in the Eugene Marathon Health & Wellness Expo and help share our expertise with runners before they took on their big race.

Look for us at the Expo on Friday and Saturday. We'll be at booth 17 (near Krusteaz pancake stand). Feel free to stop by and use our tools to loosen up, ask any last minute advice from a Doctor of Physical Therapy, and check out our exclusive race weekend deals.

Jenn Randall 5k Winner Eugene - Post Race Recovery

Then Sunday, Dr Mike Robinson will be participating in the half marathon while our Performance Manager, James Wellington will be on pacing duty.

Every year, we have dozens of clients participate, and countless friends and teammates. Lots of them set PRs and meet goals. It really feels like a celebration of our TrackTown running community. Congratulations to everyone who is participating and we wish you the best!

Post Race-Recovery

It always takes some bravery to go out and do something that you know is going to be uncomfortable, and downright hurt- both during the race and potentially for a few days afterwards. Whether or not you hit your goal times/efforts- just crossing the starting line, knowing what lies ahead (and the months of training lying behind you), is already something worth being proud of.

If you hit your race goal: congrats! That’s awesome.

If you don't, we're sorry to hear that.. It always sucks to put yourself on the line for something you know is going to be hard and not get it. But it’s better to try and fail than not try at all (something Shakespearian like that). Try to figure out what went wrong in preparation or goal setting for next time. If you can’t think of anything, maybe it was simply a bad day. Those happen.

BUT once you finish, there are several things you should focus on.

I'll go over those briefly here, but look out for a more complete post-race recovery blog from Dr Jenn Randall in the near future.

Side note: recovery starts before the race, with proper tapering and race-week preparation- see previous posts for that.

Tips for ideal recovery:

-NO RUNNING for at least a few days to allow your legs and body to recover

-Continue with gentle, active exercise to help your body recover. This can include walking, gentle stretching, light exercises.

-Passive modalities, while honestly not as good, are also helpful and downright feel good. These might include: soft tissue work, assisted stretching, Normatec or other compression garments and boots, percussive and vibrational devices, massage, etc.

These activities can help speed the recovery process and make you more ready for the easy running week two and resuming training 3-4 weeks post racing.

There are also important non-physical activities that we recommend. You just trained for a race, potentially for months.

It’s worth sitting down quietly, maybe with a journal, and reflecting on how the race went for you (social media race recaps work for this, but make sure you’re honest with yourself). What went well, what didn’t, what do you wish you would have done differently in training, in race week prep, or during the race. Write it down so you do it next time.

Enjoy your time off running to be with family, friends, and do the stuff you’ve neglected recently.

Contact us if you're needing massage therapy or a physical therapy appointment if you picked up an injury along the way. Our free injury consults are available online if you'd prefer to discuss over the phone.

See All

Maximize Your Taper: Tips for Spring Marathoners

Race Week Prep

Comments

A seamless transition from PT to strength training

I worked with Dr. Mariel Hammond who helped relieve my pain from an acute injury and identified the underlying cause. She worked with me to develop a longitudinal plan to prevent this injury from happening again. She was professional, supportive, and positive, and helped provide a seamless transition from physical therapy to a tailored strength training program. The whole Zenith team is great to work with—communication and scheduling is easy, they are friendly, and work with my schedule and individual needs. After graduating from physical therapy, I now participate in strength training sessions with Josh Harper and am happy with my progress. Thanks to Dr. Hammond, Josh Harper, and the whole Zenith team for providing excellent physical therapy care with a smooth transition to a tailored strength training program. If you’re looking for physical therapy, personal or group training in a supportive and respectful environment, Zenith is the place to go.

Christina M

Had me walking pain-free in just a week

An absolutely amazing experience! As I trained for my first marathon, the Eugene Marathon, I unfortunately overdid it and ended up injuring myself just 18 days before the race. Fortunately, Jesse, one of the owners of Zenith, overheard my conversation about the pain I was experiencing and recommended this place to me. I met with Mike Robinson, who quickly identified the issue and had me walking pain-free in just a week. With only a week and a half left before the marathon, I had three more sessions here—each boosting my confidence and ensuring I could run without pain. This place is incredible! I highly recommend it to anyone facing a potential setback due to injury. The team's communication, attention to detail, and dedication to their clients are truly exceptional. Five stars without a doubt!

Julian C

Zenith saw an opportunity no doctor had

After a year and a half of uncertainty regarding a lower leg injury I developed my freshman year, working with Jesse Klein is the only reason I can play pain free. After 4 MRIs, a compartment syndrome test, multiple X-rays, and people telling me it was time to give up my sport, Jesse saw an opportunity and brought to the table new knowledge and possibilities to my injury that none of the 3 doctors had mentioned to me. I am so thankful for this company and all they do for my team—but most importantly, huge thank you to Jesse for beating the odds and taking a new approach to heal me. After playing multiple sports my whole life, I knew something was wrong with my leg freshman year (2022). About two weeks into fall camp, I started experiencing swelling to almost double the size of my calf and leg spasms/cramps that would often keep me up at night. I attempted to push through and unfortunately ended up being diagnosed with bilateral tibial stress fractures and placed in a walking boot on my left side and an air cast on my right side for 2½ months, taking away my full freshman season. I went through about 3–4 months of physical therapy and attempted to return in March (2023) of my freshman season, but the pain wouldn't go away. I played through pain for about a month, but the swelling got to the point where I was having a hard time walking, and ultimately led me back to the boot from April to May. From June–August I was on a strict rehab schedule to get me back, which included no explosive or impact movement for the full time. I thought I was healed. I came back in August (2023) and the pain wouldn’t stop. At this point, I reached out to a new company and they wanted to discuss compartment syndrome testing, which ultimately took place in January—one of the doctors told me I should give it up if I wasn't reliant on scholarship. I went on break worried about what to do—and that’s when I met Jesse Klein. My coach introduced me to Jesse in January and told me he had a couple ideas on my injury. At this point I was looking for a miracle. I worked with Jesse from January to May (2024) and I plan to work with him in the future. We did weekly appointments and I followed his program that allowed me to begin play in moderation and keep up with exercises daily. Jesse brings a new view and unique take to PT and I would honestly recommend him to anyone. Because of him I am now pain free and can finally play the sport that I love. I played the whole 3 months of spring season with no pain and I can’t wait to come back and play in the fall. Without Jesse I don't know if I would be able to play anymore—he's made this experience efficient and comfortable, and my coach and I are eternally grateful.

Jessie M