Hello. Newbie post...
I just found this forum almost by accident and I wish I'd found it weeks ago - I ran the Oxford Half yesterday (a year ago I'd not even done a Parkrun and I am still surprised about this running lark!) and I'm currently stiff as a board with a very painful knee and hip. I had a hot Epsom salt bath and ibuprofen and (very) early night when i got in but does anyone have any tips please on how to help the recovery especially for those of us the far side of 50... 
thanks
First of all congratulations to you on completing the Oxford Half Marathon yesterday, it was ran in horrible conditions and just to finish it was a great achievement, several runners on this forum also ran at Oxford yesterday.
I suppose all you can do after a long run is to have a good rest, don't run again until any pain has completely gone, just sit back and relax. If I was working and considering running any more than a 10K, I would try and arrange my holidays on the week of the HM or marathon so I could relax and not worry about going to work the following day.
Hi! Welcome to the forum!!!!
As well as a hot bath I like to make sure I walk a lot - on the afternoon/evening after the race and on the days following. This helps stop the body tissues from seizing up. I have a break from running of a week or more.
If you are in pain you should have your GP check you over.
Good luck, and I hope to see more of you around here xxx
Agree with the previous posters. Take it easy but move a bit to get the blood flowing to aid recovery. If the pain doesn't go away, you need to go and see a doc or a physio. You've just run a HM, an amazing feet from C25k to HM in a year , it will take a while for your body to recover, but it will xxx
Oxford half here too, and I'm well over 50 (72). Still nursing my swollen knee -but that's an already existing weakness in a badly damaged leg, so only aggravated on Sunday. Surprisingly the rest of me is fine, so I'm frustrated as hell that i can't even walk far on this. I think the answer is in being very well prepared training wise before the event - though that's not much good to you now. I've run out of epsom salts but they've helped in the past. Roller painful calves with a wand or foam roller. Stretch legs gently. Ice any swollen bits. Also ibuprofen gel or Voltarol on painful joints. There is a case for not taking ibuprofen internally if you're over 60, or so I'm told. Conditions were grim on Sunday. One of the pacers is on another running forum and said he couldn't reach his target pace, so it's not surprising we are feeling it now. and huge well done! What was in the goody bag? I didn't get mine as my knee was too painful, I sent my partner to collect my drop off bag and he didn't realise about the tshirt etc.
Whoop!! Well done 👋 👌 🏅
We are all friendly here. Great advice already given. Hope u feel better soon
Welcome and congratulations for completing the oxford half in testing conditions... huge well done.
Have a rest week every so often, it allows your muscles to completely recover, do your stretches and walk but don't run.
Drink plenty!! Hydration will keep your joints functioning well - think oil in a car engine. Eat well too.
Wow loads of replies - thank you all. Glad to see I'm pretty much doing the right things. I didn't hurt at all after the London 10K in July so this was a bit of a shock.
I am resting at work 
– today’s much better. Don’t hurt nearly as much and I can walk freely. Been speaking with my PT and we’re definitely not meeting this week which was planned anyway, and seeing how it goes next. My fitbit is nagging me to go walk and I’m currently ignoring it…
Flick I think I saw you or at least someone in identical leggings! You might have seen me - I was wearing an umbrella to keep the rain off my specs. Goody bag – why not email the organisers and ask if they can send you the tee shirt? If you mention you were in first aid then I’m sure they’d do it and it's not as if they could use the spares again... There was another of the nut bars, a light beer, dry shampoo and a blonde eyebrow pen (!). Coated corn kernels (unpopped ones) and something else which escapes me.
Oh yes a Nuun strawberry electrolyte drink tablet.
Shopping list: more Epsom Salts
A blonde eyebrow pen????!!!! 😂😂😂
Yes, I’ve finally got hold of Virgin and they said they will send the stuff to me. Whoopee - can’t wait for the blonde eyebrow pen 🤪🤪🤪 I’m sure the men will love one! X
I’d keep moving and gets some walks in. They don’t have to be long. I always go for a jog the day after a race, to shake down my stiffness 🙂. I am nearly 62.
I am doing some some yoga at home today rather than my planned run as my ankle is sore from a recent trail race and HM I have another HM this weekend so want to be right for that
Just keep moving I think is the main thing 😃👍🏃♀️💪
One week on... and I feel like I can manage the gym again. Sleep patterns this week have been bizarre - either I've passed out and slept like a log or been staring at the ceiling gone midnight. It took the best part of three days not to wonder which leg to limp on, but now I'm back to occasional twinges and I restarted my lunchtime walks by Thursday. Doesn't help I've got a cold, but least I didn't last weekend! Stretching has been an issue too - some muscles are stiffer than I'd have liked and I've been trying to avoid cramp in my calves.
I'm really missing running after my enforced rest. I'd have done Parkrun yesterday had I not had a previous commitment. It's only been a week! Argh!
Friend has run the GSR today and so really pleased for her.
Flick so glad they're sending you your tee shirt etc. I can't wait for my next Parkrun so I'm actually wearing an event tee cos it's going to be a while before I get my 50!
Autumn running…just the best!😊🍂🏃♀️🍁🍂
More than half way 😁
GSR and the niggles on the way
Millennium Way Ultra Marathon ✅
