Returning to Running with CBD

I recently herniated a disc in my spine, and spent the summer doing gentle physical therapy. We tend to be very active, so leaving my first appointment with the information that I have a series of stretches to only do and that I could not bend over or pick anything up resulted in some tears. Dramatic? Always. 

I was armed with the instruction that we would progressively overload my physical therapy, each week would introduce new movements back into my routine, and that if I was able to obsessively follow the “rules,” I would most likely be rewarded with a return to my normal fitness by the end of the summer. I am a rule follower to say the least, and by week 4 was lifting weights and getting ready to start running again. 

The first week of running, I was allowed to run .1 and walk .1 on and off. Being who I am, I went 7 miles the first run we did with .1 running and .1 walking. It took literally two hours, and my spine was fine. My legs and muscle recovery, on the other hand, were not.

This month, we’re talking about my glorious, embarrassingly slow, shockingly painful (on my muscles, don’t worry about my dang back!) return to running, and how I’m using CBD to help.  

Week 1

Week 1, I literally ran seven miles (again, I’m no Nick Bare. I walked and ran because I did pilates all summer), and my legs about fell off my body. My back was pain-free, and no annoying nerve pain down my legs, but my gosh, my muscles were not stoked. I love how taking an extended break from something you love (even for a good reason) makes you feel like a beginner again. It’s actually annoying, but it is cool to see new progress happen. I lifted weights the next day, and then did cycle sprints the day after that. I’m really good at easing back into things (mostly sarcastic)  and basically a pro at recovery days (kind of true), but my gosh, the DOMS hit hard the next day.

CBD Solution: MAX. Up and down the legs. Constantly. Before the run and after the run. Before bed and when I wake up.

Week 2

Week two I was distracted with the joy of being able to lift weights again and had the energy of a thousand suns. I directed this energy into not doing what my post PT graduation plan prescribed, and tried a little bit of everything. Still, I was sore. Turns out if you don’t lift moderately heavy things for six weeks even the lightest overhead press will make your arms falter. My body? Sore. My ability to sleep from the giddiness of being able to work out again? Zilch. 

CBD Solution: Stacking products. I need MAX for muscles and gummies before I fall asleep. Time to get CBD built up in my system (and lotion on my legs). 

Week 3

I decided to run every day in September. Tomorrow is day 3. The actual running is back to being easier (shoutout to sprinting for increasing lung capacity), and the MAX is my MVP. I still will have some flares with my back due to the nature of herniated discs, and while the MAX doesn’t make that pain go away (thanks deep nerves), it relaxes my muscles to the point where my PT feels therapeutic instead of just tight. Also, I went running today and definitely have shin sprints, so I will be slathering myself with MAX again.

I haven’t quite hit four weeks yet of returning to running, so stay tuned, friends and family for what my body does next. Whatever it is, there will be CBD involved in the recovery. 

I love ALL of our CBD products. I don’t use the ones with THC, so I especially love that we have an entire lineup guaranteed to be THC-free. The best part? They still make a difference in my sleep and post-workout pain. 

CBD is a great equalizer. No matter if you’re a workout pro or if you work a desk job and struggle to get enough steps a day or have joint pain, it can bring pain relief, support, and healing to tired bodies. We have supplements for every body and activity level - no matter what you’re looking for, we’re here to help.