anything to consider here? I am not a message regular and only been after races. I am going to get one before AZ and wondering if I need to consider any timing issues to get the most benefit?
I am a massage regular (not a therapist, although I am sure there are some on this board), I usually try and time my last session before an IM about 5-7 days out. If your therapist works pretty deep, and you are not used to it, my advise would error on the safe side and go about 10 days prior to your big day.
My prerace (IMAZ) massage is on April 4th. If you aren’t used to getting a massage I wouldn’t do one to close to the race. I normally go 2-3 weeks between sessions and I would have liked to get a massage about 3 days before the race but I’ll be in traveling to AZ during that time frame.
I’m a licensed massage therapist and familiar with ironman massage and race timing. Don’t get any kind of deep massage near the race. Even if your body is experiencing some problem areas- your body has most likely adjusted to the problems during training (ie tight quads and even a muscle tear). You don’t want to change your body mechanics now. Work on it after the race. Do not assume you need a sports massage just because you are an athlete or a deep tissue massage just because you like a lot of pressure. I recommend a regular swedish massage by someone who knows how to massage an athlete. Ask if the therapist knows how to work the IT band and glute area. If you go to a good therapist he/she should know what to do and when to ease off. 3 days prior to your race is a good time frame for your last massage.
Good luck to you.
Too late in the game to change your strategy.
Getting a massage is a nice way to screw things up at this point…
Why do you think it will screw me up, I have two weeks? I don’t have to do it just thought it was a good idea.
If it ain’t broke don’t fix it rule. Sometimes it’s broke and you don’t know it because your body has compensated elsewhere. It can screw you up if the therapist finds a problem areas and decides to “fix it” for you. Often during a massage, the therapist will find a problem area you didn’t even know you had. Let’s say the therapist works out the kink- the kink which other muscles have been compensating for- now you’ve changed body mechanics which can lead to other problems and you don’t want that to happen race week. It is perfectly fine to get a massage pre-race (especially race week). Just go easy.
What dscvr says is spot on. If you’re not used to deep tissue type stuff, 2-3 weeks out, if you are then maybe a week out. 2-3 days is fine for just a swedish massage. I like to get one a couple of days before the race to just ease out the muscles but tend to make sure it’s pretty light which I find difficult sometimes as I tend to get deep massages most often at other times.
The old adage, don’t change anything for race day.
When choosing a therapist, try to get recommendations, I’ve found a lot of so-called ‘sports therapists’ really don’t know that much. I tend to get a lot of the runners/cyclists directed to me at work, they appreciate someone who knows and understands their sports when looking for therapy.