I’m running the Twin Cities Marathon in October. I’ve been getting a massage about once a month while I’ve been training, but I'm not sure when to schedule my final massage before the race for optimal performance. Got any tips?
I’m running the Twin Cities Marathon in October. I’ve been getting a massage about once a month while I’ve been training, but I'm not sure when to schedule my final massage before the race for optimal performance. Got any tips?
two days before - get deep muscle work
One day before get a sports massage. A week before get a deep tissue, two days you may still experience soreness.
If you get regular massage as you said then I would say 5-7 days out from your marathon race you should be ok with a good deep massage.
Forward Moving wrote:
I’m running the Twin Cities Marathon in October. I’ve been getting a massage about once a month while I’ve been training, but I'm not sure when to schedule my final massage before the race for optimal performance. Got any tips?
2-3 days. When I travel (fly) to a race, I will get my massage the day before I leave unless the flight is later in evening then I will get one that morning. Otherwise if race is local, I will get my massage 2 days prior. This has worked well for me and I get deep tissue massages. Drink plenty of water afterwards.
Only if you get a happy ending
Who wants a body massage?
Mr. Body Massage Machine... GO!
what do you think about hot salt bath before race?
former duck wrote:
what do you think about hot salt bath before race?
You talking a few days before? Or race day?
I usually thought a hot soak on race day was a bad idea, like sweating would deplete you some how.
But before one race at UO, I was sore and tight, which never happened, so I was worried about being ready to race.
I decided to try a very warm, but not hot bath, and a short duration, ten minutes. I set a timer, read homework for ten minutes (distraction from pre-meet nerves) got ready, jogged over to Hayward...felt great and won my race!
So, I'd stay away from a hot soak the day of a race. A hot Epsom salt soak a few days before a race, or after your last hard workout is probably helpful for recovery.
As for massage. I wouldn't risk deep tissue too close to a race.
The closer to the race, the more I'd stick with an effleurage* focus than petrissage. There is a good study out there on the effect of massage for runners, whether it really helps clear lactic acid or not etc.
Maybe someone can post it.
*Lighter more "flushing" strokes, rather than deep tissue/trigger point type work. --You don't want to risk getting any deep tissue soreness before a race. This is also why it is good to have a regular therapist who knows your bod and your trouble spots and how deep much pressure they can give you without resulting in some soreness for a few days after etc.
If you are having your girlfriend or wife give the massage, by all means, embrace the "happy ending," just remember "Women Weaken Legs!" ;)
Hell yeah, the difference when i don't get massage is significant. 2-3 days prior is optimal for performance and recovery. My therapist isn't brutal and adjusts pressure according to my training/race schedule.