Training weakens your body. The body is stressed, then rebuilds itself after the training so it can better withstand the stress the next time.
It's during the recovery that your body gets stronger, faster and more powerful. So, the more you can do to enhance recovery, the better. Here is an article about multi-faceted recovery:
http://xlathlete.org/blog/articles/entry/a_multidimensional_approach_to_enhancing
The idea is that recovery depends on many different factors and they should all be addressed. Sleep is one of the most important factors in recovery. Nutrition and hydration are also very important. Emotional and psychological factors are also important factors in recovery. And of course, the physical aspect of recovery is important and inter-related to these other factors.
To improve your recovery, and therefore your performance, make sure you are getting plenty of sleep, good post-workout nutrition and hydration. And do some things that help you relax. Stress is counter-productive. And do active recovery methods in between workouts.
Include recovery in your training plan. And in your training log. When you plan your training, you should be planning your recovery as well. What kind of active recovery will you do? What type of nutrition and sleep should you get between workouts? Plan it and write it down, the same way you would write in full lengths or short courses or weight workouts. Plan your recovery.
Here is the link to the article:
http://xlathlete.org/blog/articles/entry/a_multidimensional_approach_to_enhancing
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