Episode #110: The Science of Recovery with Christie Aschwanden and Alex Hutchinson

In this episode, we start with a recap of fast times at the Houston Marathon and Half Marathon. Chris makes predictions about what the race means for Emily Sisson's future and pays homage to the career of Kara Goucher. Then starting at 18:50 into the episode, we turn to a fascinating discussion with Christie Aschwanden and Alex Hutchinson on the science of recovery modalities. Christie is a writer for the site www.fivethirtyeight.com and has a new book coming on February 5th called Good to Go, What the Athlete in All of Us Can Learn from the Strange Science of Recovery. In this discussion, we breakdown what science tells us about which recovery modalities actually work (from ice baths to massage), while also summarizing the most important elements of recovery in order to be your best running self.  For more info on how to purchase Christie's book, go to www.goodtogobook.com.  And, of course, buy Alex's book too if you haven't already: Endure, Mind, Boby and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance. Alex has also appeared on episodes 48, 64, and 81 of this podcast.