7 Reasons Sunday Long-Run Runners Are Adding Tart Cherry to Their Training Block

1Sunday's long run shouldn't cost you Monday's stairs

Jen loves her Sunday long run. Ten miles of gravel road, a few cows watching her go by, and a full pot of coffee waiting at home. Monday is another story: one hand on the rail, sideways, one step at a time, while the kids ask why she's walking like that.

If that sounds like your Monday, you're in good company. Nobody wants to run less. You'd just like the rest of the week back. Orchard Tart Cherry supports muscle recovery and joint comfort, so the miles you love can stay on Sunday.

“Really helps my "old man" aches and pains. Also helps with workout recovery.”

Robert W., Verified Buyer

See the recovery routine →

2Runners found tart cherry long before we did

Ask around your running club and somebody will bring up tart cherry juice. That reputation has research behind it. In one study, 54 distance runners drank tart cherry juice twice a day for a week before a long-distance race and on race day. Their post-race pain scores rose much less than the placebo group's: 12 points versus 37 on a 100-point scale (Kuehl et al., 2010). In another, 20 marathoners drinking tart cherry juice got their leg strength back faster after the race (Howatson et al., 2010).

Both of those were juice studies, a glass or two a day. Jen tried the juice. She liked the cherry fine. The fridge space, the sugar and remembering a second glass every evening wore her out.

Skip the juice, keep the cherry →

3The cherry in our capsule was tested on half-marathoners

Cherrypure® Tart Cherry Fruit Extract, 750 mg

Then researchers at Texas A&M tried the freeze-dried version. In a 10-day study, 27 endurance-trained athletes took 480 mg a day of CherryPURE tart cherry powder or a placebo around a half marathon. The cherry group reported 34% less quad soreness before the race than the placebo group (Levers et al., 2016; the study was funded by the powder's supplier).

Orchard Tart Cherry is made with that same CherryPURE powder, 750 mg in every two-capsule serving. Same cherry the half-marathoners took, minus the jug.

See the studied cherry →

4Start it a week or two before the long run

Here's the part most people skip. In both CherryPURE recovery studies, people took the cherry every day for about a week before the hard effort, then kept going after it. So Jen circles her long run on the calendar and starts her two capsules a week or two ahead, every day with breakfast.

Daily matters more than timing it to the minute. Take two capsules with whichever meal you'll remember. Then judge it the morning after your first big run: the stairs, the first mile of your Monday shakeout, climbing out of the car at work.

“I have been taking this Tart Cherry capsule for 2 weeks now. My joints and muscles feel less achy and I sleep better at night.”

Jeanne H., Verified Buyer

Plan your first two weeks →

5Two capsules fit in any race-weekend bag

Juice needs a fridge. Capsules need a pocket. Orchard Tart Cherry is two vegan capsules with zero sugar, so it rides along to the race hotel, the cabin, the in-laws' house, wherever this week's long run happens to be.

Inside is the skin of USA-grown Montmorency tart cherries, the deep red part of the fruit, gently freeze-dried so heat never touches it. It takes about 50 pounds of cherries to make one pound of that powder. A little organic celery seed and organic bilberry round out the blend.

Pack the capsules →

6Sleep belongs in the training plan too

Most coaches will tell you the miles happen on the road and the recovery happens in bed. Tart cherries naturally carry a little melatonin, the amount nature puts there, which is part of why the cherry has its reputation for restful sleep.

That is why we suggest taking your two capsules at night, within an hour before bed. Plenty of our reviewers mention better nights in the first week or two, often before anything else.

“This is a great supplement. I got it for support with exercise, also discovered that it helps for better sleep.”

Corey S., Verified Buyer

Add cherry to dinner →

799 days covers a whole training block

A half-marathon plan usually runs about 12 weeks. The 99-Day Groovy Guarantee runs a little longer than that, on purpose. Take Orchard Tart Cherry through the whole block, the long runs, the taper and race day, and see how your Mondays feel.

If it isn't for you, email us for a full refund. No return is necessary.

“I sleep like a rock when I take these. And my muscles feel good.”

Nicole S., Verified Buyer

Try it for a full block →