We’ve crushed the Dogtrekking White Carpathians, and the adrenaline has finally dropped. Now, the hard reality sets in: recovery after dogtrekking. Even though that grueling 62.4km beatdown really put my body through the wringer, the experience definitely changed me and sparked a new drive! Suddenly, I’m hooked on this type of challenge and would love to do it again. So, what did the days look like after the longest route we’ve ever hiked? And how did Brixie handle it?
Sunday: An Unexpectedly Quick Return to Prague
Surprisingly, on Sunday morning, I was able to drive the entire way home to Prague without a hitch. Sleep just wasn’t happening, so I was up around six. Instead of lounging in bed, I decided to put that unexpected burst of energy to use behind the wheel. The drive went great, with only one short traffic jam due to an accident.
We were home for lunch, tired, content, and proud of our effort. By eight in the evening, I was already drifting off, but sleep wasn’t ideal – I kept waking up from three to half past four in the morning. Oh, Monday was going to be fun!
Monday: Stairs, Hips, and a Bowling Warm-up
Monday brought the full force of regenerative pain. My legs moved, but it was pure agony. Pain in my upper thighs, hips, back… It suddenly hit me how many big stairs we have at home and that the walk to work is seriously downhill! Recovery after Dogtrekking White Carpathians meant every single bump and uneven surface felt a hundred times worse.
The highlight of the day: an evening company bowling event. That’s hilarious enough on its own, let alone with legs in this state! I’m never the best bowler, but surprisingly, I managed and even kept to my average score. Goes to show, you can still roll a ball even with busted hips!
Tuesday and Wednesday: Almost Home Free
Tuesday followed a similar pattern, though with slightly lower pain intensity – and I mean *slightly* lower. We even managed an afternoon 5km walk with the dogs. Finally, a small victory!
Today, Wednesday (day four post-event), it’s almost back to normal comfort. I only feel my hips now, and my legs are nearly fine. Sleep still isn’t 100%, but it’s helping. This afternoon, we managed an 8km walk. Looks like we might be back to standard routine tomorrow.
Brixie’s Recovery: An Unbelievable Partner
While I’m counting every stair, Brixie seems to be in full force! Her recovery was lightning-fast. Clearly, the pre- and post-race supplements and plenty of quality food did the trick. She’s running outside like a blur and is super. I think she’s completely forgotten about it and would go again right away.
But I really need to work on my fitness so it’s not such a terrible shock to the body next time. 62 km for my first Dogtrekking Mid was tough, but it was absolutely worth it. What are your tried-and-true tips for quick ultratrail recovery? Share them with us in the comments!
Dogtrekking Recovery Snapshot
- Pain Intensity (Monday): Absolute agony (thighs, hips, back)
- Pain Intensity (Wednesday): Only hips still sore, legs almost OK.
- Biggest Surprise: Ability to drive back to Prague on Sunday.
- Biggest Recovery Challenge: Stairs and the steep downhill walk to work.
- Brixie’s Condition: Full of beans, successful recovery.
- Future Goal: Work on fitness for easier recovery after the next event.
