massage?

[dexter_ding]

Hi guys!

Just a quick question. Will you get a massage before a 70.3 or ironman? is it beneficial?

im racing SNG 70.3 this Sunday, feeling a lil tight in my hamstrings and glutes. should i get a massage?

im on my taper week, would it be a good idea. moderate or hard massage?

your .2cents?

dex

[JamesCunnama]

Massage before a race is usually a good idea, just to flush out the bad stuff and get the blood flowing through the muscles.
But not the day before the race. The day before the day before is best.

And if you are not used to massage and don't get it often, make sure the massage therapist does not go too deep or hard - just a gentle flush will do.

Good luck at Singapore 70.3. Wish I was there again.

[doc]

good advice
i like to have it the day before the day before the day before
sun race no later than thurs

[Matthieu O’Halloran - "M@"]

Hey dexter, I once heard a very good quote about massages.

"Massages are for AFTER hard work - NOT before!"

[dexter_ding]

To doc and james -  sir yes sir!

To m@ - really? enjoy my hometown cebu idol btw send us news if you get to reco the mactan bridge.

[Renner]

Massage can actually be inhibitory as in it will "shut off" the muscles and you want them to fire. That being said, get it done before the few days before the race if needed, then make sure your taper has some uptempo work in it to get everything snappy again. Same thing with static stretching, it inhibits and weakens the muscles for a period of time after you do it. Same with foam rolling, etc....

[doc]

exactly right  tenner

[DamienC]

Think of your muscles as you would any other piece of meat.  When you cook a steak, what do you do to soften it?  You kneed it, pull it, roll it, etc.  This breaks down the fibres, quite literally tearing them so that they aren't a big tight solid bunch anymore.  Massage, foam rolling and stretching does the same thing to your muscles.