u/PollutionStraight93

I picked up a part time server job recently. First time doing anything like this, and I'm doing food runs most of the shift.

The first couple days were mostly sore feet and tired legs. I figured I'd get used to it.

By day six though, my legs and feet were hurting way more. My knees and calves were the worst, especially that night.

I also noticed a few tiny purple spots around my knees and lower legs. I don't remember seeing them before I started this job. I'm guessing six days of standing and walking around is a shock when I'm used to sitting most of the day, but those purple spots have me a bit concerned.

Anyone here had something similar when they first started? Did your body adjust after a couple weeks, or did you have to change something with breaks or compression socks?

Trying to figure out what's normal stuff and what's worth getting checked.

Running 55 to 65 mpw for about two years. Tried most of the recovery stuff people recommend. Some of it helped, some of it was a waste.

Things I actually stuck with:

Foam roller and stick roller for calves. Not exciting but I use at least one of them every day. Maybe $40 combined.

Sleep. Not a tool but it matters more than everything else combined. The weeks I get 7 hours vs 6, my recovery feels like a different person.

Compression boots. I didn’t expect a huge difference, but they’ve been one of the few recovery tools I’ve kept using consistently.

Things I dropped:

Massage gun. Used it for a month, gave it to a friend. Felt good in the moment but zero change in actual recovery.

Ice baths. Did these for a full training block. Recovery felt the same and I was just cold and annoyed.

Normatec at the PT clinic. Fine experience but at the price point I couldn't see the home version being worth it.

The boring stuff (sleep, easy days run easy, foam rolling, nutrition within 30 minutes of finishing) does 80 percent of the work. The tools help with the last bit. But if you're skipping the basics, no recovery gadget fixes that.

What's one thing that's surprisingly worked for you?

Running 55 to 65 mpw for about two years. Tried most of the recovery stuff people recommend. Some of it helped, some of it was a waste.

Things I actually stuck with:

Foam roller and stick roller for calves. Not exciting but I use at least one of them every day. Maybe $40 combined.

Sleep. Not a tool but it matters more than everything else combined. The weeks I get 7 hours vs 6, my recovery feels like a different person.

Compression boots. I didn’t expect a huge difference, but they’ve been one of the few recovery tools I’ve kept using consistently.

Things I dropped:

Massage gun. Used it for a month, gave it to a friend. Felt good in the moment but zero change in actual recovery.

Ice baths. Did these for a full training block. Recovery felt the same and I was just cold and annoyed.

Normatec at the PT clinic. Fine experience but at the price point I couldn't see the home version being worth it.

The boring stuff (sleep, easy days run easy, foam rolling, nutrition within 30 minutes of finishing) does 80 percent of the work. The tools help with the last bit. But if you're skipping the basics, no recovery gadget fixes that.

What's one thing that's surprisingly worked for you?