Hillary Allen: What Recovery Actually Feels Like

Hillary Allen reflects on the tool in her toolkit that facilitated a big-race double in May, which helped earn her a spot at the World Mountain Running Champs in September.

"Recovery is one of those things we all say we prioritize, but honestly? It's taken me years to understand what it actually means to recover well.

It's not just about foam rolling, sleep, or a giant smoothie post-run. Real recovery is how you feel the day after a big race, a heavy training block, or a long climb through fatigue. It’s whether you can get out of bed without wincing. Whether your energy feels steady. Whether you’re excited to move again.

After years of racing ultras, bouncing back from major injuries, and now balancing running with gravel riding and coaching, I've learned this: Recovery isn't passive. It's a practice.

And after racing the Tiger Claw Ascent and 50K double this month, a massive effort over two days that pushed me physically and mentally - I knew I needed a recovery strategy that worked with my body, not against it. That’s when CurraNZ became part of my toolkit.

🌿 Tiger Claw Ascent + 50K: A Real Test of Recovery 

 Tiger Claw is one of those events that sneaks up on you. It’s equal parts thrilling and brutal, especially when you decide to race both the Ascent and the full 50K back-to-back.

The first day was 3,000+ feet of vertical in just under 5 miles, a lung-busting grind straight uphill. The next day, I toed the line for the 50K with tired legs and a grateful heart, knowing this would be a true test of my training and recovery.

What followed was a long day in the mountains, full of technical terrain, massive climbs, and a tight women’s field that had me pushing harder than I expected.

In the past, this kind of double-effort would leave me wrecked. Sore for days. Struggling to bounce back. Training disrupted.

But this time was different.

🔸 Why I’m Taking New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract (and What the Research Says)

I started using CurraNZ leading into Tiger Claw, after hearing about its science-backed benefits for endurance athletes. What caught my attention most?

“CurraNZ reduces muscle soreness by 49% and accelerates recovery of muscle function three times faster after high-intensity exercise.”

These aren’t just general wellness claims. The research is specific to what we do, high-output, multi-day endurance efforts. And it’s backed by third-party testing.

CurraNZ is made from New Zealand blackcurrants, which are naturally rich in anthocyanins, compounds shown to support blood flow, reduce oxidative stress, and aid in muscle recovery.

I was curious, and maybe a little skeptical. But I added it to my daily routine in the months and weeks leading up to the race and continued in the days after.

👊 What Recovery Feels Like Now

Here's what I noticed:

1. Significantly less soreness in the days after the race - especially in my quads, which took a big hit after those long and steep descents.

2. I was able to return to easy movement and short rides within 48 hours.

3. Mentally, I felt sharper. This is important. Recovery isn't just about muscles, it's about mood, focus, and energy. I wasn’t dragging like I usually do post-ultra.

It wasn’t magic. I still felt fatigue. But it felt like the right kind of fatigue, earned, but not lingering. And with the continued use of CurraNZ in the days after the race, I could see my recovery in real time, it was faster and I got back to consistent movement without feeling like I was risking burnout or injury.

🏃♀ Recovery is a Practice

Whether you’re an ultrarunner, a weekend warrior, or training for your first 50K, recovery matters. It’s the foundation that allows you to keep showing up and to keep progressing year after year. 

For me, that means building recovery into every part of my life:

• Daily habits (mobility, nutrition, rest)

• Mental space (letting go of pressure to "bounce back" fast)

• And now, adding CurraNZ as a consistent part of my recovery stack

When I invest in recovery, I train better. I race more joyfully. And I stay healthy, which, in the long run, is the goal.