Well I had to do something I didn't want to do. I had to put the word verification back on for my blog comments. I've been getting way too much spam and when I tagged them to go directly in my spam folder, real comments were going in there too and I was missing some comments readers were leaving. So incredibly annoying. I don't know what is worse, the spam or having to do word verification!
Today was another first for me. Well third actually. I went for a massage. Probably my first massage in at least 5 years, but I think even longer than that. I've only been for a massage two times before today and both experiences were horrible for me. It was painful and I was tense and on edge the entire time. I met the massage therapist I used today at a running clinic speak. He's also a runner and a karate instructor so he specializes in sports massage.
Now here's where I tell you to do as I say, not as I do. If you run, or are thinking of running, it is a good idea to stretch your muscles after a run. It's good practice for injury prevention. Me? I never stretch. Bad, bad, bad. The fact that I have never been injured since I started running this past March is still a miracle to me. I decided that even though it made me nervous, I had to bite the bullet and start receiving regular massage so I could at least be manually stretched.
I was super nervous going in because my last experiences were so horrible, but I actually had a great massage and felt relaxed afterwards. Now Mark (the massage therapist) admitted he went easy on me because it was my first massage in so long, but he really took the time to listen to my concerns about getting a massage and it worked out just fine. I'm booked to see him again in two weeks and he told me he was going to strip my quads at that time. I'm not going to lie, that scares the crap out of me because he warned me it would hurt. Basically he's going to find all my muscle knots and work them out. And I know there are lots, 'cos I never stretch. Oh the joys of being a runner!
I wonder if my good experience today had to do with the fact that the other two times I was massaged, I was also morbidly obese and the masseurs had to work me extra hard to even feel my muscles through my substantial layer of fat. I'm pretty bony now and it wasn't hard for Mark to find my tight areas and work them. He only did my back and my quads, but also stretched out my hamstrings. Next time I'll get him to work my calves too because they feel a bit achy tonight after my fast 5k with my half marathon clinic. All in all I'm glad I went and I think he's a keeper! I know a couple of other runners who go to him and they have nothing but nice things to say about his technique and professionalism. I was booked for a half hour, but I didn't leave for 70 minutes! I'm sure he massaged me for at least 45 minutes then took some time to ask me more questions about my running program and showed me some stretches to do. A very helpful and informative visit.
Tonight I ran with my half marathon clinic. We did the exact same route we did last week, and I did the exact same pace too. 6:34/km. I felt like I was going sooooooooo slow, but turns out it was all in my head. Last week I ran with people, tonight I ran alone most of the time. I chatted with a couple of the serious runners who passed me. They mostly mentioned the article from the Running Room magazine, then moved on. It's a big clinic, 30+ people and I know a few of the participants by name and many more by sight. I really need to brush up on the names. I'm so bad with names. Once someone tells me their name, it immediately goes out of my head. When I meet new people whose names I must remember, I repeat their name a lot during conversation. That's the only way I'll remember, and they likely think I'm strange. "So Justin, you mentioned that you liked cliff climbing Justin. Don't you think it's a dangerous sport Justin? Doesn't your mother worry Justin?" Weird right? But seriously, the only way I can remember names. It's an occupational hazard since I'm constantly meeting new people.
I'm off to bed. Tomorrow I have to spend the day in the car. I'm driving from Hamilton to Peterborough to Oshawa to Peterborough to Hamilton. So almost 600 km by the time the day is done. I hope I don't feel the after affects of my massage tomorrow. That would truly suck. I think I will treat myself to a Tim Horton's double cream coffee during my travels. Something I'll likely need when I hit the wall of sleepiness in the afternoon. I'm off to dream about running, and I'm not kidding. I've fallen asleep more than once reliving a good run in my head. I know, I know...STRANGE!!!!!!!