Reading Half Marathon 2016 Review

Personal trainer, Matt Gleed reviews this year's Half Marathon in Reading plus some post race tips.

Reading half marathon was a huge success again with 16,000+ participants coming from all over to join in one of the U.K.'s largest half marathon events from the vitality series of events. The weather was great and the whole event was well organised. The marshals did a great job at getting all the participants into their relevant areas. To start the marathon was the wheelchair event, heading off first at 10 o'clock followed by the elite runners and then through the waves. These were each set off by Sir John Madejski accompanied by 400 meter gold medallist Iwan Thomas, who was also on the start line inspiring the early starters as they set off. He then joined the runners himself on the gruelling 13.1 mile half marathon run.

Yet again the Reading locals were out in full support cheering on with full voice. Great bands played brilliant music in several different areas including the favourite as always; the steel drums under the Oracle bypass bridge. Many charities which several runners were endorsing and supporting were evident with several overwhelming and humbling stories.

As is now normal these days, plenty of people dressed up in costumes such as power rangers, super heroes such as Spiderman and Ironman. In addition to this, a MacMillan coffee mug, a two person camel and not too forget a lobster that went past at one point! I hope a massive amount of money for local charities and national charities were pledged.

If you were one of the runners, to help you recover from the Reading half marathon, here is my top five tips to get you moving over the next few days to help you recover the quickest.

Keep moving
If you keep your body moving over the next few days your muscles will still be kept active and the aches will ease.

Drink plenty of water                   
It takes time for you to rehydrate after an endurance event so make sure you're taking plenty of water.

Try yoga
Whether it be trying a little stretching at home or a workout at the nearby yoga studio, it will help getting into some yoga poses to get the mobility and flexibility back.

Eat well
Make sure your body restores its nutrition values so make sure your meals are good of the next couple of days.

Next race
As the sense of pride goes through you that you've just succeeded at 13.1 miles go-ahead and book your next race straight away it will give you something to aim for and stay focused on.