Massage!

Team- Great job on going the extra mile this week with doing a few extra drills in the heat. You did it!

Make sure to go out and support this Austin Health initiative on:
Date: May 20, 2012; 10AM to 3PM
Location: Sixth Street between Brazos Street and Robert Martinez Jr. Street
Join the energetic fun at VIVA STREETS! ¬ -- a free festival that invites you to bicycle, play, get fit, people watch, and celebrate good health. Everyone is welcome - bring friends, bring the family or your whole team or neighborhood. Connect with the community and celebrate Austin. http://www.vivastreetsaustin.org/index.php/event-info/

February 19, 2012, I finished my first marathon. I set up a massage appointment a day after running 26.2 miles. I thought after running all those miles, I deserved a massage to relax. I had a speedy recovery time with the massage and stretching. Within a week later, I ran the ConocoPhillips-Houston 10K on February 25th with a time of 01:03:00. The benefits of a massage are that after long physical exercises it increases blood circulation, reduces muscle soreness, pain relief and stress. There are also studies that say that massage temporarily reduces blood pressure and anxiety. During a massage, you are finding “knots” or trigger points to relieve tension and relax contracted muscles. Once those points are alleviated, the blood starts to circulate again through that sore muscle. Increase in blood circulation for your muscles leads to improvement in muscle strength, endurance and fast recovery time. Try massaging your sore muscles using a foam roller, hands, a golf ball, The Stick or making a massage appointment. If these exercises don’t fix your “knots” or sore muscles, please consult a doctor or physical therapist.

Different types of massage and therapy for sore muscles and “knots”. Try them!

Foam Roller: http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-267--13796-0,00.html
Calves: http://bcove.me/3d2a718l
IT band: http://bcove.me/ngd9p3zm
Hamstrings: http://bcove.me/7x99x10j
Pririforms: http://bcove.me/12lpvigq
Adductors: http://bcove.me/dwlh7tia
Quadriceps: http://bcove.me/0btsk7rw

The stick: Golf ball:
Massage Leg:

Remember, when it comes to fitness. I want to see results…not excuses…it’s for your health!

-Coach ACT