A Rub Down Rub Down

The Role of Massage in Your Training Plan

If bank-account considerations are prohibitive, self-massage is an option—tools such as The Stick (www.thestick.com) allow runners to massage their calves, buttocks, and other areas themselves. When Shay can’t get to a massage therapist, he’ll use reference charts of trigger points to determine the sources of problem areas and work on himself. "This works pretty well," he says, "but it’s nothing like finding a good massage therapist."

Shay suggests looking for a massage therapist who is trained in applied kinesiology, does trigger-point work, and is experienced in working with athletes. Local running clubs and area coaches are good sources of referrals to qualified practitioners.

Given the range of potential benefits, all serious runners should consider incorporating massage therapy into their training regimens—and hitting the table before problems strike, not after.