Congratulations! You are a marathoner. For months, you've focused on that one goal - had nightmares about it and spent sleepless nights fretting about what shoes to wear. Well, now you've gone and done it, and the medal is hanging around your neck. So, what now?

Treat the recovery the same way as you did the training - as an integral part of the marathon process, and you'll soon be back and raring to go. Get back too soon and push too early, and you risk injury.