Auckland Marathon 2014 – final week!

It’s that time of the year again: The Auckland marathon is next weekend , how exciting! Same as last year I will be attending the celebrations by sports massaging exclusively at the hospitality tent of Chapman Tripp. With another lot of runners itching to get out there (headed by an inspiration of a boss pacing the 3 hours 30 run for the Heart Foundation) I am sure the day is just going to fly by.

If ever there is a perfect time to schedule a sports massage, it would have to be just before an event or immediately after. Now, when I say immediately I mean either straight away (before Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness ) DOMS sets in or just as soon as the worst of your sore legs have subsided (i.e. day 3- 5 after).  If you are having a massage straight after the event, most people find a flush out of 10 – 20 minutes just legs is perfect, along with any tlc on lower back/ shoulders or knees you may need. The point is mostly to stop inflammation from settling into your legs by encouraging blood flow out of your muscles. The same effect is achieved by post event ice baths or cooling your legs by standing in cold water (a lake is always popular if at hand 🙂 or even by wearing compression gear, such as calf sleeves over night. Personally I like Compress Sport (see http://www.triathletescorner.co.nz/shop/Run/Running+clothing.html ) , but Skins and 2XU are also very popular.

If you are having your massage a few days after your run, you may as well wait until the worst of  your soreness has subsided, because pressure on sore muscles is not going to be pleasant or beneficial, and who wants to have a tickle for a sports massage ? I usually recommend day 3 to 5 after the event and at least you know the peak of the post event pain is behind you and the massage will help to settle the muscles down.

In any case, all you beauties , who are going out there to run across the wonderful Auckland Harbour Bridge this weekend, you know what you have to do: Start thinking about your post event massage NOW!

Book on www.massageakl.clinicalendar.com or call 0800 100 368 .

Happy running – see you at the finish line 🙂 Carmen