I’ve been thinking recently of how hard we work our bodies when we do this running thing. We know it’s a high impact exercise. All the miles we run, all the effort, the stress on our joints and bones 🥵 And for some, the extra stuff like the cross training, the strengthening work, the complementary exercises, the training plans, the races.
I’m sure most of us here are good runners 😇 and try to adhere to the Running Rulebook. We eat properly and keep hydrated and try to get decent sleep. But sometimes maybe we need to give our running bodies a little treat just to say thank you for putting up with all of our demands.
With all these thoughts in mind, I was out for lunch with a friend a few weeks ago and she was raving about this Thai massage she had had and how fabulous it was and that it was only in our nearest town… blah blah. She was going on and on about it and how she had already tempted two friends to go and then her husband. And they all thought it was divine and ….. … well, needless to say I booked an appointment and went.
Oh, my goodness!! I normally aim to have a sports massage once a month to keep the niggles at bay but, with the best will in the world, you can’t call a sports massage a relaxing experience 😫 But this was a completely different experience.
My therapist had such strong hands and knew exactly where my tight bits were and worked to loosen them up considerably. My neck, shoulders and back were especially rigid which I already knew but she also found tights bits on my hamstrings (that was a surprise) which could have been contributing to my lower back stiffness. She even worked on my feet and each toe which was bliss and they did crack a bit 🤣 but felt really good. The rest of my running body was relatively OK 🙂
She suggested that I do more warmup exercises for my shoulders before each run and basically I have to do those aeroplane movements which I think will be a lot of fun 😂
I slept like a baby that night and my body (and head) have clearly appreciated the attention.
What about you? Do you have any regular treatments or treats to help your running body? If not, then maybe it’s time to think about it. Go on, you know you’re worth it 🥰
Run hard, play hard but remember the treats too.
From The Marathon Team xxx
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⭐️ If you have a race coming up in July, any distance, and would like a pompom cheer then go here:
What a lovely read Irishprincess and the Thai massage sounds so good 😊 I like to do the same warm up and cool down each run and try and look after myself. For me it's very much a mental thing too. I've recently cut way down on my red wine consumption so for me it's been more what I don't do so much as what I do🍷🙈 I can then try and give myself the best chance each and every run for it to have positives in. Looking forward to the replies on this.
I love red wine but as I got older it started to affect me badly and now it’s just a treat every now and again. Let’s drink to that, a special reward every so often 🍷
I’m rubbish at any extras to complement my running. I would love to get a sports massage & lift weights at a gym but they’re now in the luxury bucket. Living costs have sky rocketed here in Oz. Feeding our boys & paying the mortgage & school fees is the priority. I do make sure I change my running shoes every 500k which can get expensive. I’ve switched to cheaper daily trainers due to cost. I also eat a pretty clean diet & aim for 8 hours sleep as that’s free 🤣. I gave up alcohol a year ago on my 48th birthday. 49 years young this week.
Hi IP and VRBs 😁I have sports massage once in a while but a relaxing one would be good, glad it relaxed you so much👌
Well July definitely isn't my month. I did 2 short shifts back at work Thurs/Fri, then my marshalling at parkrun Saturday. Didn't feel 100%, but OK. Sunday was a belated birthday trip for my dad to the Weald and Downland museum where we could get a glimpse of where The Repair Shop is filmed( his favourite!).
Stomach felt increasingly dodgy as day went on,and now have full blown dodgy belly. Not sure if it's the antibiotics or something I ate or a bug but not feeling great at all . So back off work again and feeling sorry for myself . 😪August got to be better for me!! 🤞xxx
Oh Ali, not what you needed at all! Still, at least you're having everything at once and then when you come out the other end, you can focus on getting back to a full recovery.
Hi Aliboo I hope you are ok and the tummy gets well soon. I’m not allowed to give details but my brother and I were at The Repair shop last weekend filming an episode. Very exciting!!
Oooh you'll have to let us know when your episode is aired!! The guide there was telling us how many applications he programme gets! Tummy improvement today so 🤞xxx
You’re doing everything right RW! Really well done on giving up the alcohol, you must feel so much better without it. I aim to have two alcohol-free nights a week, not sure I could do seven!
Think I will always miss a glass of red wine with good food but I think it’s easier for me to do 7 nights without alcohol. I struggled to not have a glass of wine at night so the 2 nights(any night off) off were a problem for me. My Dad was an alcoholic so it has been freeing for me to not worry about becoming that for my boys. I’m not sure whether I feel better as a glass of wine used to take the edge off my anxiety but I’m certainly learning lots about myself in mid life. Running continues to be a gift 😍
I’m sorry if my reply was a little too deep for a running treat post. I replied before my daily run & realised later that it was quite full on for the weekly chat. x
Not at all. It was admirable of you to share. Everything that shaped us from the past makes us who we are today and we can’t separate our running selves from our other selves. Thank you x
Hi IP. Apart from my apres run coffee routine and the odd swim, I don’t treat my ageing frame well at all! It is expected to work like clockwork with minimum attention….which just about sums me up 😂. Apart from one sports massage I had after my last HM, I only go to the physio when something isn’t working properly….hopeless case 🙂
I have been really lucky to start running late in life and be able to keep doing it….you are right; every run is a treat (ignoring the pre holiday one when I fell over!!). I managed a 3k yesterday; a bit quicker and heart rate a bit lower, so progress. Hopefully I will start building up distance again when we get back from Alaska; only two weeks to go….
I thought you’d be one of the sensible ones Beachcomber66 . You’re always so knowledgeable and full of sage advice. You’ve had one sports massage more than me! 😅
🙂 I had a great day today. After 3 weeks of wondering what the hell was wrong, I just felt like the (ab)normal me…no balance issues, no light sensitivity …..just normal. Let’s hope that is the end of this sorry saga. A run to celebrate in the morning would be good 🤞.
ooh I do love a relaxation massage. A hotel we stay at in the New Forest has Thai masseuse and they are extremely good. But I don’t have one on a regular basis. I’m not brilliant at doing exercises to help my running, until I have to see the physio for some reason. Then I do the exercises until the problems disappear.
I did a first this weekend! I ran parkrun in a gale while UpTheStanley volunteered. Then while he ran RunWalkLocal 5k on Sunday, I decided to run the 2k. I have never run 2 consecutive days in my 5 years of running. I actually enjoyed running 2k as a competitive distance and had much more in the tank for a sprint finish to beat a fellow runner to the line.
HI 👋. I don’t look after myself well enough. I’m always running around after others and trying to hold down a fuller than full time job 🥵 However, I know when to not push myself. Work has been full on the last couple of weeks and the weekends have also been full, so I’ve only run a couple of times and I don’t beat myself up over it. Things will settle and running will happen regularly again. I also make the time to go to a Pilates class every week. I go in feeling like an old lady and come out feeling like I’ve been stretched out and every ache and pain has been chased away. You also lie down on a mat a lot which is a bonus 😁
It sounds as if you have a good balance there and are being sensible. I love the idea of lying down for exercise but I know that in Pilates you don’t lie still for long 😂
I used to really enjoy my weekly Pilates and we used to have a relaxation session at the end. Our current instructor doesnt do that but does do a lot of planks and downward facing dog which I can’t currently do because of a dodgy shoulder. I will do bridges etc at home instead, along with my physio exercises.
We do a relaxation session at the end. It’s the best bit! I go to a very small class, only 12 people allowed, so the instructor can adapt the movements to suit each person. It costs a bit more but is worth it for the personal touch 😊
Hi IP, this is a reminder for me to book in for a sports massage soon as I can feel a few tight spots developing. I am lucky that I’ve found a great place that has a super chiropractor, podiatrist and massage therapist all under one roof.
That sounds divine IP! I suspect you’ll be going back there??? My therapist does my feet and alway comments on how much they crack, not my toes, just my feet! How do we get tight muscles in our feet? Seems to help the old plantar though.
I have a deep tissue massage about once a month. I’m due one now really but I’m a bit skint after our holiday so I’m dragging it out a bit. Every so often I go for a sports massage to target a particular area.
My right hip could definitely do with one soon but I’m hoping I’ve found the source of that problem after chatting to RunWillie 🤞 My Saucony Endorphin Speed 2s, the right one is very unstable, so I think it’s been throwing my right ITB out. I’m going to stop wearing them for a bit and see if that makes a difference. I’ve got my old Brooks Hyperion Tempos - not as squishy and no plate but a fine shoe anyway.
As for everything else, Katnap and I have just started week 4 of Amsterdam training. Cut back week next week. The scary bit of the plan is getting closer! I have deliberately not written the last quarter of the plan out yet in my spreadsheet so I don’t wind myself up with it. I hope I can find the motivation to see this through, I feel I’m just going through the motions at the moment.
Anyway, mentions of strength training, I’m stopping myself from going to the gym to get on those machines, so I must go. Have a great runny week everyone 🙌💪🙌
I suppose our feet take a real pounding so it’s no wonder all those little bones and muscles need a stretch. It felt really good though 😍 I do try to stretch my toes myself when I’m sitting down but obviously the professionals do it better.
Week 4 already! Gosh, that seems to have gone so quickly. You and Katnap aren’t Marathon newbies so nothing will scare you. Go forth and train both of you and good luck 🍀
Thanks IP. No, I can’t believe it either. Just waiting to be paid and I’ll get our flight tickets - exciting really and another international parkrun the day before too!
Thinking about it, it’s amazing what our feet have to put up with. They are amazing things really.
That sounds amazing - and interesting she told you to warm up your shoulders before a run. I do dynamic stretches before a run but I do leave my arms and shoulders out so I’ll look at putting them into my next routine 👍🏻
When you think about it, our upper body needs to work hard when we run. And our arms are continuously bent so it makes sense to stretch these areas out as well as our lower bits.
That’s really good to know, I did my whirly plane arms before a race tonight - I did notice some stiffness in my arms while running, I need to relax more.
I’m putting it out there that I’m useless at looking after myself. I’ve had literally one massage in my entire life (I’m too fidgety and ticklish to find it relaxing) and I do next to no supplementary exercises nowadays to compliment my running. Yoga is wonderful but I’m out of the habit. I’m too busy in the mornings and I can’t bring myself to do it at night. First world problem.
So I don’t really deserve treats (chocolate, crisps, gin - and most other food actually), but I do have them! Life is too short I think. Obviously if there was a medical reason why I had to cut anything things out, I would. The fact that I run at all is something of a miracle, and it’s my excuse to eat tasty food! 😋
HM Plan now on W5. I had the worst run ever at the weekend, but fortunately had a better one at the gym this morning. 🙏
Some people don’t like massage at all. I have a friend like you who hates them.
I thought you were a bit of a yoga regular Munks? I know our routines are sometimes interrupted and then it’s so hard to get back to things we did before. I haven’t returned to my Reformer Pilates since I hurt my back and I keep thinking I should but….life keeps getting in the way 😂
Good luck with your HM plan 🍀
Don’t tell anyone but I’m starting mine on Monday 🤞
Ooooh, that sounds divine IP! We have a Thai massage place right here in town - I could walk there (though maybe not back!), maybe I should look for an offer 🙃
I think I treat myself all the time - alcohol and food mostly, nails too 😍. Then the time I spend, all to myself, running or cycling feels like a treat too ... oh, and races - they definitely count as a treat (cost, travel, accommodation, meals out, celebratory drinks ...). Then there's shoes ... and clothes ... And I do try to get a sports massage every four or five weeks ...
Do you think I have room for another treat? The Thai massage perhaps? I know what my husband would say🙈
I'm still held back with a niggle in my hip; I think it simply needs time for the inflammation to go down. But my early Sept HM is in total jeopardy now. It would be foolish for me to attempt to build to 21k when I should really be coming back slowly. So I think I must change my entry to the 10k instead, save the half for another year. If all goes well, perhaps I can find an alternative half in November. I've deliberately written this here to make me do the sensible thing and change my entry!!!
So many treats Linda! You’re right though, every run is a treat for all sorts of reasons.
I don’t buy so many clothes or shoes, etc any more and I guess my only treat is a regular trip to the hairdressers. Bu then that doesn't impact my running. Mostly. When I got my eyebrows microbladed a few years ago I couldn’t sweat for 10 days so that DID impact my running 😂
You’re where I was last year when I had to cancel a few HM’s. It is hard but we know in our gut what the right decision is…. Go on, there will be loads of others 🥰
I remember the eyebrows 😍I am actively trying to cancel the HM, but at the moment they are charging extra to do so. Only £2.75, but why? Eapecially when the 10k was £10 less than I paid for the HM. Admin fee? Maybe ... but it's me doing the admin online and at this stage what other admin would be involved? 🤷♀️
Absolutely love this post! I’ve had sports massages from my physio and they’ve been utterly horrible. Not a treat like a lovely, aromatherapy massage with music and a calm dark room. Now that’s a special treat! I’ve got a friend I meet every few months and we often do a spa trip. I’m most definitely booking one for after the Great North Run!
My favourite post run treat is a bath. I like some lavender and valerian bath salts that I pick up cheap from B and M Bargains. Squeeze of cheapo Superdrug Shea butter bubble bath and a coffee and I’m happy for ages. I started using some massage balls and a foam roller more regularly. I’ve changed a lot things since I was injured so it’s hard to separate out what’s been effective and what’s something I’ve changed that’s just a coincidence but I’m liking having a better recovery “routine”. That sounds like something one of those Instagram runners has rather than an amateur like me!
It’s been a great week of runs up until getting a cold yesterday. I’m feeling much better today so I don’t think it will have a big effect. New 5k pb was the highlight! And new trainers…
A sports massage is definitely not a treat 😫 but a nice relaxing massage with heated towels and candles and gentle music… now, that IS a treat!
Your bath sounds lovely although I rarely have them myself. I use to have them regularly with a glass of wine and candles and lie for ages so I absolutely get how you feel when you have yours!
Sorry to hear about your cold but great that you're feeling better and it won’t impact the running. And well done on the 5K PB!!! Was that before or after the cold?
Sorry-what was I thinking! Shoes are here. I really like them!
New 5k PB was just before the cold. It was the first outing for the new trainers! I’ve been for a very plodding 6k today and I’m feeling much better. It’s supposed to be intervals tomorrow so that’s getting switched for a swim or a rest day instead!
I don’t often have a bath in the evening or wine would be a great choice instead of coffee!
Two minutes off my old time! That was a long time ago and I haven’t actually tried running a quick 5k in ages. I think it’s most likely all the physio strength work and the fact I’ve been doing speed runs consistently for a couple of months now. Still, the psychological effect of having new trainers must have really helped! 25’41 is a bit of a dream for me. Hooray for getting injured…
Replying very late, sorry, and I've no idea what to say as it's very much outside my comfort zone in all sorts of ways.
I'm not coping well with the ongoing heatwave. In fact at Saturday's neighbourhood get-together several people mentioned that they'd not seen me running as much 😔
However, I may have converted someone to C25K! They mentioned they'd like to start running but didn't know how, so I said I'd email them some info. Found a French translation and English summary online, plus the podcasts, so sent that with an explanation of the bits that were slightly different in the translation, and a bit of advice.
They've thanked me, though they're not planning to start until September... because it's too hot! 🥵
Happy runnning to those who can, and Bon courage to those who can't.
Good for you for, hopefully, converting someone to the dark side. Let’s hope they do give it a go and no wonder they are going to wait until cooler times.
Fingers and toes crossed for some relief in your weather. Just consider it a little rest for your running body 😎
Not so much a running celebrity as the only runner in a radius of several km! My running body's had far too much rest recently, I'm going to have to drag myself out in the morning even if it's only for a short distance. It dropped to about 16° overnight last night so I actually slept for nearly 7 hours without a break, which is unheard-of for me. I still didn't get out this morning though 😞
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