I’ve been training for 3 years and have never had a massage. I’ve received a gift certificate for a massage at a sports specific massage group and I’m wondering when and how often people get massages?
Are there different levels of massage? I see people say “deep tissue” is there “shallow tissue”
funny, I almost asked this same question. i’ve never had one formally, but i’m thinking about trying to get one today–especially for neck and shoulders…they’re killing me.
thing is i have a race sunday…granted it’s not terribly serious, but will wait if it’s a no no to get a massage this close to racing.
kittycat
I would love to get one once a week but they are so expensive. I just picked up some self massage rollers (that looks very bad when typed) and they seem to help a little pre and post rides. Like you, I tend to wait until I have a ton of pain then I go. The problem is that when I wait the muscles get even worse and the knots are much harder to get out. Very painful during the massage itself.
Day or two before a race is not recommended, especially if it’s your first. I’d probably go Monday, if the race was Sunday. Good way to kick off your taper week. Drink lots of water afterwards to flush out all the toxins and crap they loosen up. EXPECT to be sore as well.
Lance gets on every day. I believe Lisa Bentley (according to her “Lifesport” ad that talked about miles run, miles biked, bananas eaten, etc. said she got one like every 3 days ~120 for the year). 2-3 times per week is not uncommon for elite athletes, at least those who can afford it.
I try and get one at least once a month, but usually have to use my TP massage ball, quadballer, and “The Stick” for regular therapy.
Tues/Wed before a race is the norm for me.
i always get them the week of a big race. for instance, i got one yesterday in preperation for my 1/2im on sunday. i did the same thing the week of lake placid last year. throughout the year, i go see my a.r.t. guy who fixes up my neck and other little aches and pains i get while training. that’s only a $15 copay as opposed to $70 for the massage.
I get at least one at the end of one of my training cycles which last a total of 4 weeks with the last week being very hard. Massages are wonderful indulgences and might be considered necessary (at least that’s what I tell the wife) to fully recover at my advanced age (50). You will love it and you will be hooked like I am in no time.
Funny, my wife got me a gift certifcate for one which I used on Monday following NYC. I asked the same question of the massage therapist and he told me once a month is good as a rule, then get one the week of your race (no later than Weds. for a Sunday race), and then one shortly after the race to loosen things up and release toxins.
Although they are expensive, this didn’t seem too bad to me. I would have thought he would have suggested more visits than he did.
DON’T DO IT! Once you start you can’t stop! I’m a total massage ho! :-/
Once every two to three weeks, usually on a Monday following a high intenstiy or high volume week, or after an A race or a stage race. If anyone in S.D. has any reccomendations for sho they use, I am looking for another massage therapist in the La Jolla, UTC or coastal areas. Thx.
massages are the best - I get one every other week - usually on Monday to help after the hard weekend of training. I do not recommend 2 days before a race - 3-4 would be ok though.
massages are going to get me through my training for my first Ironman just like they did for my first marathon 
enjoy the chiro too- every other week for him too.
Gary, have you tried Cassidy in La Jolla? I just went there recently for the first time and they’re awesome!!
http://www.cassidysclinic.com/
They’re right behind Rock Bottom Brewery
As often as I can afford it!
As much as you can afford. During the Lance Chronicles, Lance was getting a massage after just about every ride. In Washington DC the going rate is about $75 per hour + tip ($50 for a 1/2 hour). I’m lucky, I’ve got the best one in town and he “only” charges me $50 per hour! I get 2 per month.
Dave in VA
I am currently studying to be a massage therapist(halfway through an 18 month program) and massage before an event should be a very specific race related massage done 15-30 minutes before the event. It should not take the place of your warm-up but done properly a pre-race warm-up will excite and stimulate all your muscles and nerves.
A post race(24-48) massage is always recommended. It is not only a physical release but emotional and physchological as well.
Until 2 years ago i had never had a massage but when I got serious(?) about tri I started having monthly and then when training for an IM weekly massages. I found that I was able to recover and thus work harder more quickly then when I did not receive a massage.
PM me if you would be interested in a free(not able to charge until licensed by the state) massage after your race.
Hi Kerri,
I actually spoke with him at SD Intl, I think I will be heading there next, just was looking for other’s experiences. Thanks for the tip, his office is super close too.
I hear Erynne is the best!! I wasn’t able to see her as she was all booked, so I saw someone else, who was also great, but I’ve heard such great things about Erynne that I’d like to check her out sometime!
I would never recommend getting “deep” work done day before a major competition. With my clients, I have found that very deep work is the most effective the 2nd or 3rd day leading up to the event. But, this is when the athlete has been having regular maintenance and is very conditioned with regular treatments. If this is your first massage, I wouldn’t recommend getting any deep work done during that time-frame… it might be more beneficial to get a post-race flushing the day after or a few days after the event(depending on when you have replenished your “stores” with nutrients).
There are many different levels of massage… but, it is all about giving the therapist proper feedback. remember, “its all for you”… so let them know what areas are tender or if the pressure is too deep/light.
If you can, try to get a massage at least once a month…(if you can afford it, Once every other week or every week would be great). The whole point is to break that cycle and get some consistancy with treatments. That way, the cycles of “aches/pains” will diminish or disappear.
I talked to her a bit at the race in the transition area, she was the swimmer for the relay team, with Chris as the runner and my TT buddy Grant, I was running team support duties and not racing. She seemed to know her stuff, I explained my knee problem, running injuries, etc.
I have heard positive reviews of the facility, will try it out, I ride right past it all the time, sometimes on the way back from a ride I’ll pop in for grilled fish tacos at Rubios in the mall across the street