Foam Rolling/Massage Counterproductive to Running?

yes, for me, it's a lifeline wrote:

i am chronically very tight and have tendency to develop hip/achilles and IT band issues and injuries. 34 years old

I wasn't really rolling/stretching/doing yoga type stuff and got to 2:37 marathon on about 45-55 miles a week

i started foam rolling twice a day, 15 minutes each. plus i build in a massage every 2-3 weeks for the 12-14 weeks before a marathon. Usually end up getting 4-5 massages before key race, after hard weeks or tune up races. i always foam roll before big races, workouts, and morning runs to loosen up

My marathon PB went to 2:29 on same mileage. Also ran a 1:11 half and 32:35 10k in ONE year since that 2:37

The foam rolling not only loosens you up before and after runs, before bed, but the time using it surprisingly strengthens your arms, triceps, and abs. I no longer do core work and have basically scaled back my pushups pullups by over 50% and look way more cut and am stronger than when i did no foam rolling. first time in my life i have a six pack

works for some, not others. i'd say if you are naturally loose, be careful about masage .but if you are always a tight, a massage makes you feel like you have new legs.

i feel like i lift my leg 3-4 inches higher when running a few days after a massage and feel much bouncier.

personal choice

jecht wrote:

yes, for me, it's a lifeline wrote:

i am chronically very tight and have tendency to develop hip/achilles and IT band issues and injuries. 34 years old

I wasn't really rolling/stretching/doing yoga type stuff and got to 2:37 marathon on about 45-55 miles a week

i started foam rolling twice a day, 15 minutes each. plus i build in a massage every 2-3 weeks for the 12-14 weeks before a marathon. Usually end up getting 4-5 massages before key race, after hard weeks or tune up races. i always foam roll before big races, workouts, and morning runs to loosen up

My marathon PB went to 2:29 on same mileage. Also ran a 1:11 half and 32:35 10k in ONE year since that 2:37

The foam rolling not only loosens you up before and after runs, before bed, but the time using it surprisingly strengthens your arms, triceps, and abs. I no longer do core work and have basically scaled back my pushups pullups by over 50% and look way more cut and am stronger than when i did no foam rolling. first time in my life i have a six pack

works for some, not others. i'd say if you are naturally loose, be careful about masage .but if you are always a tight, a massage makes you feel like you have new legs.

i feel like i lift my leg 3-4 inches higher when running a few days after a massage and feel much bouncier.

personal choice

Good to know this, I do 15 mins. a day but may do more. I don't lift or do strength training but looked at core workouts as a substitute. You are using more muscles keeping yourself steady when rolling your glutes, for instance.