Massage Day Before Event -- HELP

i would vote against a massage the day before...as this will oust any bad in your muscles and you'll be sore possibly for the race.

They get a massage AFTER to help relieve the stress in the muscles.  And the soigneurs know how to acommodate cyclists needs specifically as opposed to a general masseuse.

From everything I've read, getting a deep tissue massage the day before an event is a bad idea because it is like a strong workout and you need a day or two to "recover" from it.

I got a massage the day before my first tri- best decision I ever made. I slept better the night before and I did not have any soreness even after working out some serious knots. 

I think it's a 'to each his own' kind of decision. If you do get the massage, make sure it's not too intense, otherwise, you will end up with a lot of pain.

Good luck this weekend!

I might have if it had been 3 or 4 days before, but i'm way too sore from deep tissue stuff that i would never do it the day before.  You kinda have to know your massage therapist and know your body to be able to make that call.

And fwiw, even 3 or 4 days out...i would never have a massage therapist work on my feet.  In fact, my guy won't work on anyone's feet that close out to a race.

Yes, you can have a massage the day before an event. Make sure you tell the them you're racing/event though. The masseuse will not go 'deep', your massage should be kept in the relaxing category.

The deep tissue stuff will leave you pretty sore for 24-48 hrs. I generally will get the deep stuff down 5 or so days out if I have major tightness and I think its going to be an issue for an upcoming race.

Nothing wrong with a relaxing massage - just not a miracle cure.

I wasn't thinking deep tissue, just a relaxing massage focused on my legs and sore shoulder. Can you tell I'm freaking out!!!

Since I'm so close, I'm leaning against it. I just want my legs to feel "loose" and "relaxed."

I was hoping it might help me focus my nervous energy (slight fear) into more focused excitement.

Thanks.

depends what kind but personally *I* wouldn't get one the day before (4-5 days yes) because I have trained hard for many months to get ready for the race and I wouldn't want to risk anything making my legs feel off, sore, flat, etc. the next day...

i suggest some good stretching sessions...long sessions....stretching is always good. no?

I get them about 10 days out from a big race (1/2 IM, etc) but no closer to the event. I get a lot of tight painful spots worked out and my body needs time to recover from that. At this point, the DR is coming up fast (my friend is riding it too) and I'd wait till the day after.

Depends. Muscles tightness is caused by muscle spasms forming and creating tiny little knots (feel like a frozen peas). Think of tying a rubber band into a knot and stretching it....snaps quicker.

I would use foam roller, the stick, and the trigger point tools before stretching.

I'm convinced. No massage. I've been training too long to have something go wrong the day before. Thanks...you're all rock stars.

I almost always get a light compression massage a day or two before a long or intense race, and feel noticeably better during the event. The therapist I go to in Boulder, CO, says athletes come in a day or two prior to an event just to keep things loose and help stimulate some of those smaller/harder to fire up tendons. I'm not an expert, but I've never had any negative effects w/ light massages shortly before a race. Probably a personal decision.

Note: this type of massage is very different from deep tissue. That's a big no-no prior to an event.

Edited by cooutdoors 2009-07-09 1:01 PM

Last July I did DoubleMussel -- the sprint on Saturday, the half iron on Sunday. During the sprint I twanged my right calf, and wondered how it would hold up on the hilly 13.1-mile Musselman run.

I was staying in the "Athlete's Village" (dorms of Hobart and William Smith College), and knew that the race was putting up a massage therapy in the dorms for cases similar to mine. So, at about 7:30 on the Saturday night, I had a gentle massage that was aimed specifically at my calves. The result? Absolutely NO soreness at all during the tough Sunday run! I'm not even remotely sure this would've been even remotely possible without the massage less than 15 hours before the run.

No, you don't want rolfing. No, you don't want aggressive A.R.T. But if you ask for something gentle just to loosen things up and flush out some of the garbage coursing through your tissues, then I think you will find it very beneficial. Do it!

Believe or not that is the question.  If you don't believe let it go and get it afterwards.  If you are to nervous it will not help and you will worry at every little pain you have during the race. 

I would go for the relaxing massage.  Hell the boys in france get one every night.  I would not enjoy my wife saying I told you so for a year or two. 

After speaking with my coach (who had gone MIA due to birth of child issues...slacker), I went and got a very easy/relaxing massage targeted at my lower back and legs. the day before. It really helped to calm my nerves, and I felt very loose but not tired afterwards. I had no muscle problems during the Death Ride, but I battled a knee issue from my 88 to the end at 129. I climbed the last pass on essentially one leg. It was my "good" knee, and I have never had that type of pain before. In any event, I apprecaited everyone's input, and I can't wait to get another one this week to get the knots out of my lower back!!!

I love this forum. I was able to instruct my massuse, who actually had worked with cyclists before, to treat me easy. She did.

One more thing off the Bucket List!