Pre and post race preparation.

Today I ran theYeovil Half Marathon, it is the first half I have run in 3 years, my usual distance is10K so I have worked quite hard to get my mileage up.

I have really enjoyed the training and have had some regular massage along the way, monthly by my usual therapist. I have a hamstring niggle that has hung around and rears it's ugly head now and then. My therapist keeps on top of it.

However, a few weeks ago my guy had to go off air so I had to muddle on without treatment. I realised last week that my legs really needed some work. I had a few good training sessions and got ready to 'taper' wind down before the race, I managed to get an appointment 2 days ago.

The massage was excellent, my legs felt light, loose, flexible and ready to run. The timing was perfect. If anyone is in a position to, even just this one pre race treatment would be enough to alter performance on the day.

For me it was running 5 minutes quicker than I had hoped for! I am thrilled. 

The Olympic cycling team talk about a 1% extra they give to their training schedule that gives them the edge, for them it is things like training on Christmas day as well as excellent support care.

My 1% today was the treatment I got on Friday. Without question.

If we are going to motivate ourselves to achieve a goal surely recovery massage makes sense, the prevention or cure argument again. My hamstring felt good today, what can be a background distraction did not dominate my run, my mind could be put to focusing on the end goal.

After finishing I got a 10 minute leg rub from the volunteers on site at the race, whilst these therapists cannot deal with anyones serious issues they can promote recovery and healing and right now 12 hours on, my legs feel pretty ok!

All in all a very good day, I k=have done the training so got the result but definitely not without help!