running shirts

From the first year I worked in the massage tent after the Twin Cities Marathon I have been impressed and inspired by the devotion on the participants. They have approached the sport with the care of a scientist conducting research which could have a benevolent result for all of humanity. They maintain detailed records of their daily nutrition and mileage, the types of drills they include each week, thoughts, moods and results. It can be an expensive experiment once you add the protein supplements, shoes, clothes, medical support, gym fees, transportation and lodging for each event. So when an opportunity presented itself to sponsor a runner from my neighborhood I was happy to write a check. My logo printed of his compression shirt by Geez Teez is a great way to participate a little more than working the massage tent and it has been a happy arrangement which I would recommend to anyone.

Birthday Present Massage

It would be easy to drown in information detailing the benefits of massage. But there is less information regarding the frequency of massage. Some people will allow themselves once a month, others are in every week. And there are those who call only after being injured and worn down by the pain and discomfort of a chronic condition. The body responds best to a regular schedule whether it is exercise or eating or massage. It likes activities to occur in a predictable pattern, anticipating and preparing for the experience by becoming more receptive. When I don't see someone for a while I sometimes make the mistake of thinking they are receiving services somewhere else. Then, they call, injured or simply exhausted, and make an appointment confessing they have neglected self care. The soft tissue work appears to be a magical act in those cases because the damage is extensive. But it that kind of damage requires time and a methodical approach to completely release, in addition to a commitment to change habitual patterns which originally caused the injury. That doesn't mean you stop playing basketball 3 times a week. It means that you stretch for 15 minutes after the session, either at the side of the court or in the hot shower. Or it may mean taking a couple's massage class and committing to regular trades with your partner after identifying your problem areas.

Even 15 minutes, on a regular basis produces significant results. 

JS is a devoted runner. She received both Pilates reformer and massage sessions for restriction in her IT band, piriformis, and  hamstrings which were affecting her daily training sessions. After completing a series of sessions, she made a successful transition to Pilates mat work, which she could do on her own.  As her birthday approached she called me to  make an appointment, without significant concerns or injuries. We met on the morning of her birthday and after a brief intake we agreed her session would consist of a full body tune-up  with medium pressure unless I found some adhesion or more serious condition of which she was unaware. Like many of us, she carries a lot of her stress in the shoulders and neck areas. Difficult to release, those muscles become glued into a guarded, shortened position, sometimes causing migraine headaches. While I attempted to soften the dense tissues I could feel a grainy texture in the tiny muscle bellies under the traps. As I became more focused in my manipulation of the connective tissues the beads melted, leaving longer, more pliant muscle fibers. As I gently stretched her neck, the adhesion completely released. The area moved freely under my hands. Her body sighed involuntarily with relief. I held her in “stillpoint” position for a few moments to allow the release to move down her spine and into the rest of her body. From there the session proceeded without surprises. We finished with assisted stretches for her hip flexors which, in the past, had caused concern. She plans to run a 25K in the next month followed by the TC Marathon in October. 

She had arrived carrying something warm, wrapped in aluminum foil. As I waited in the reception area, I opened it, filling the room with the fragrance of sour cream, brown sugar streusel and chocolate. I handed her a glass of water as she came into the room. As she talked a little about her celebration plans for the rest of the day I sensed her body ground itself. Her skin was slightly pinker from the session and glowing with health. I reassured her that I had not found any skin conditions which might suggest melanoma, today's fastest growing cancer.  To celebrate her  commitment to ongoing self-care in the form of annual birthday massage I gifted her with a bottle of Columbia Crest Chardonnay. Our session was a present from her husband. What a great way to show someone how much you love them!