What's inside

  1. 01
    Refuel inside 45 minutes

    The window that closes fastest. Why delaying two hours cuts glycogen resynthesis in half.

  2. 02
    Hydration with sodium

    Water alone is not enough. The 150% rule and why sodium replacement is not optional.

  3. 03
    Sauna timing

    When to use it post-race, and when to skip it. The 90-minute rule that protects your sleep.

  4. 04
    Sleep priority

    The night after a race is your highest-leverage recovery block. What protects it and what destroys it.

  5. 05
    Foam rolling

    The effect is neurological, not structural. When it works and when aggressive technique backfires.

  6. 06
    Sports massage timing

    Why the same day is wrong. The 24-48h window that actually reduces perceived fatigue for up to 96 hours.

  7. 07
    Cupping, tension vs DOMS

    The thumb test that tells you whether to cup or leave it. Applying it wrong makes things worse.

  8. 08
    HRV-guided return to training

    How to read your variability score to know when you're actually ready. And what a single low reading really means.

Each protocol in this checklist has been personally tested over ≥3-4 weeks with Garmin tracking and supported by peer-reviewed research. No affiliate links. No sponsor bias.