Keeping Post-Event Massage in 'Mind'
Thursday, April 26, 2012 at 1:58PM The London Marathon. Originally an idea concocted by two guys having a drink in Richmond after one of their own runs and now one of the biggest races in the world. Crowds lined the streets to cheer on nearly 37, 500 runners this year so you can imagine how many people were involved in all the ‘behind the scenes’ work: from marshalling and drinks’ stations to the baggage truck drivers and banner and balloon decorators. The scale of the event is really off the chart and so it’s understandable that the number of people actually involved in one way or another isn’t fully comprehended.
As a runner myself, I admit that it can be slightly taken for granted. However, this year for the first time I was privileged to be volunteering with the mental health charity Mind. The amount of money raised for charity is phenomenal and accounts for the sheer mental determination to keep going at mile 22 when every fibre in your body wants you to stop!
After offering post event massage for Mind runners last year at the Royal Parks half marathon, and having such a fantastic day, I was really excited to get my elbows stuck into those completing London 2012. Having completed a few marathons myself, I know exactly how runners can be feeling: whether it’s a combination of elation and muscle pain from achieving a certain time (or the actual race itself), or a combination of disappointment and muscle pain from missing a time target.
I find these mixed emotions, also influenced by adrenaline, cortisol, sugar (from all the gels, jelly beans etc available on the course) and possible dehydration, have a massive effect on the body. Not to mention the amount of lactic acid that has built up over the 26.2miles and muscle fibre tears that are all part and parcel of running such a distance!
Before too long the first runners appeared in need of a massage. Hobbling into the room one by one runners plonked themselves down onto the massage tables absolutely exhausted. To be fair who could blame them? They’d just complete 26.2miles and trust me, if you’ve never done distance running before suddenly even a mile seems like a very long way after you’ve already completed 20!
One of the best aspects of massage though is the immediacy of it. You may question how effective a 10/15minute massage can be but increasing blood flow (and therefore oxygen, warmth etc) to tired, torn muscles, displacing all that lactic acid build up will have a massive effect on muscle recovery. By no means am I saying runners collapsed onto the couch and then 15minutes later hopped off ready for another run but that initial immediate treatment will mean that the days that follow the race will be lot easier!
Therefore, it goes without saying that those clients I have treated for a full hour will receive even greater benefits. Muscle soreness will ease so much more quickly, but still don’t underestimate how simply tired one can be after such a gruelling distance! Only gentle exercise for about a month after a marathon (depending on your fitness levels!) should ensure injury prevention as well as effective muscle recovery, so let me get my elbows stuck in and feel the results for yourself!
For details on how to get involved with the charity Mind or make a donation please visit their website www.mind.org.uk
Reader Comments (1)
Having finished a gruelling 26-mile marathon last year for the first time, I understand how runners feel once they’ve crossed the finish line. Usually, it’s a combination of sore muscles and a sense of pride for their achievement. That is why a good post-event message is what every runner looks forward to after a hard-earned run.