DNF, failed performance, struggles during the performance are familiar to most of the athletes. Not only professionals but amateur too. It doesn’t matter how hard we worked, but sometimes things don’t go as planned. Returning can be difficult, so what you should do after failing to be able to make a better return?
Continue reading “Failing the performance – Returning after the failing”
I have a great opportunity to get an interview with Juha Hautakorpi, sports massage therapist. Who also do endurance sports. He provided a lot of information about massage therapy and when it’s good for us and what to take into account when timing the visit.
I’m Juha Hautakorpi sports masseuse and VoiceWell therapist.
I graduated as a masseur in 2015 and a year later I attended a sports masseur course. I graduated as a Voicewell therapist in 2019.
Immediately after graduating from massage school, I started my own business, since that this is being my full-time job. Formerly, I’m a professional electrician, but that jobs were never my own thing. It was very difficult for the electricians to jump on the school bench. But the decision was right and I have not regretted it for a day!
Well-being, as well as exercise, have always been of interest and you could easily access this world through massage. The possibilities for further education are also completely limitless.
The slightly outdated idea is that sports massages are always better and harder than traditional classical massages. However, they do not differ in their massage technique in any way.
The professionalism of a sports masseur comes more through the right technique, strengths and various mobilizations that are adapted to the client’s possible sport.
For example, completely different treatment must be performed if the client has a marathon the next day or if he has run it the day before.
The greatest significance of massage is the improved recovery from exercise. Which in itself reduces the risk of injury and it also has a great effect on the psyche and general endurance. With a massage, you can also get rid of small jams quickly before they become big problems.
In massage, the frequency of visits is influenced by many things. It is difficult to say any rule suitable for everyone. In general, I recommend to everyone that you should visit for a massage as needed, but regularly! The more and harder you training, the more important body care becomes.
Training directly after a massage is rarely recommended. Unless the massage is done specifically as a pre-exercise.
Massage can be considered a kind of exercise for the muscles and nervous system, which, like training, requires its own recovery time. The stronger and deeper the treatment, the longer it is recommended to take a break from training.
In general, the next day training is okay, as long as you remember to do a good warm-up. Ideally, massages should be scheduled for a week that does not have maximum performance and is generally a lighter week. So that there are no technically demanding performances on the same or the next day. Because massage can momentarily interfere with muscle nerve.
After the massage, it is good to keep the small movement and a light walk is an excellent option. On the same day, it is also good to do light static as well as dynamic stretches at least an area that has been treated. Stretching after a massage allows the muscle to be better stretched to its own maximum muscle length, but no deep stretching should be done on the same day as it is often too hard a strain on the nerve in the muscle.
It’s a slightly old idea that sports massage is always more intense and it should hurt. There may be unpleasant moments during a massage, but pain alone is not the right measure of successful treatment. Communication between the client and the masseur is vital. However, pain is a personal thing for everyone and everyone experiences it differently.
Sometimes a hard massage is even worse than a lighter treatment, after a hard massage recovery takes longer through the micro-rupture of the muscles and the next performance is not as effective as after a lighter treatment.
I would say there is no reason to miss a massage, many have uncertainties about their own body and the idea of one criticizing is very understandable. When it comes to a professional, it doesn’t matter what your appearance is, or how poor condition you are. It may be that you are the masseuse’s seventh client on the same day, and she/he is not at work judging anyone but helping in the best way possible.
This question is encountered almost daily, I also advised to drink plenty of water at the end of each massage.
The general argument I hear is “massage removes toxins from the body,” but I have not found any justification for this. The muscles do not accumulate “waste” which the massage release and remove from the body.
During treatment, muscle tension is reduced, blood circulation is improved, fluid metabolism is accelerated which moves fluid from the muscles towards the kidneys and thereby dries out the body. For this reason, you can often visit the toilet immediately after the massage.
So it is important to get plenty of fluids back into the body, which will also ease the post-massage headaches that many experience.
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Runners tend to look after their legs and train them to stronger, but foot and ankle mobility is often overlooked and forgot. Poor foot and ankle mobility can cause injuries that can appear upper legs. It also affects the running technique and speed. Foot and ankle absorb the shock when we run, the force is transmitted all the up in the back. Poor shock absorption make ankles stiff and cause calf and shin stiffness and other problems.
Continue reading “Runners foot and ankle mobility for better performance”
Maybe you made a new year resolution or you are otherwise new to running and training. You are excited about a new hobby or pick up an old hobby again and have a new goal. It’s easy to do many things “wrong”, and learn “wrong” habits and some point slow down or stop progress.
Continue reading “Starting a new hobby – Starting the right order”
We all know that good running shoes are essential, and you should not use one pair year after year. But why have several different shoes, when you have found a good pair and want to use them? The shoes can affect the running speed, biomechanics and economy, and also injuries.
Continue reading “Why have several pair of running shoes?”
I got the opportunity to test Asics kayano 27 running shoes. I have one old pair of Asics shoes, which I like and I was happy to get my hands to a newer model. Also, to see which direction they have developed.
Continue reading “Asics Gel-Kayano 27 review – my experience”
We all have been there, the race which wasn’t going as it was planned. Some point every runner experience the bad race, but they are good for learning. There are many things which, can be overwhelming especially for new runners. Many of us might run our first race, without much knowledge and preparation. I did that too, so here are some things which I wish I had known before the first marathon, and points which many runners had said.
Continue reading “I wish I’d known these before the first marathon…”
I got an opportunity to test Chimpanzee sports nutrition products. The company was totally new to me, and I don’t normally do a collaboration with sports nutrition products and supplements as the field is so wild and there are many things to consider. But Chimpanzee sounded a different kind of company and their products were interesting.
Continue reading “Chimpanzee products reviews”
There is a difference if the exercise is approached by the time versus the distance. It’s not only training factors that makes difference, but also psychological factors. Depending on the exercises time-based training can be either easier or harder than distance-based. Some runners favour more the other exercise style, but you should mix these both.
Continue reading “Time-based vs distance-based training”
We often speak certain factors and their importance for running performance. But as often we forget the amount of these factors. Some of the training factors are not as important as others, some provide only minimal benefits or not at all, and still, we use them more than we know.
Continue reading “The perfect recipe of running”
Running world turned upside down when Covid-19 hit to the world and all the spring races being cancelled. Now many race organizer also cancels the autumn marathon. That means some runners might not be able to race this year at all and might be lost their motivation as there is anything that to expect. Try to remember, that you should always train for yourself and races are just extra.
Continue reading “Running challenges when races being cancelled”
Breakfast before morning run or just after? Some of the runners like to eat something before hitting the road, at the same time others struggle with breakfast. Early morning run, often means even earlier breakfast. It is suitable to eat breakfast at least an hour before the run, which might mean very early wake-up.
Continue reading “Fasted vs non-fasted running”
Long hours in the outside, sweating and discomfort. Runners know how to push their body to the limit, but do they know how to train their brain.
Mental training is not only for a professional athlete. Mental factors are seen as high self-esteem and confidence, but it’s much more.
How to build a training plan? What you should take account? What is periodization training cycle? This post will answer these questions and help to put your goals in the training plan.
Continue reading “Periodization training cycle”
I have written this topic a couple of times, you can find the earlier post here and here. But as the topic is important and there are still many people who feel lost at the gym and are not sure what to do. Here’s a little recap of why strength training is important and where to start.
Continue reading “Importance of strength training for runners”
Hello, and welcome the year 2020! Last year we have a series of books from different topics that are excellent for getting more knowledge about training, coaching and nutrition. Now, here’s the last part, sport psychology. This post is good for any runner, as we all sometimes struggle with lack of motivation, low self-esteem and nerves.
Continue reading “OTHER: Sport psychology books must-read list”
Cathy Heller is a podcaster, speaker, life coacher and now writer. As her first book was published 12th of November.
Continue reading “REVIEW: Don’t keep your daily job – Cathy Heller”
Let’s continue the list of the must-read books list. We have previously list sports science and nutrition book, and it’s time for coaching books.
Earlier this autumn I got to chance to read Neil Pasricha’s new book You are awesome -How to Navigate Change, Wrestle with Failure, and Live an Intentional Life.
Continue reading “REVIEW: Neil Pasricha – You are awesome”Book will be published 5th of November.
Blisters, black toenails, detached nails, basically nail technician nightmare and common for runners. Almost every runner have some experience of these and already find the best solutions to avoid them as good as possible and treat them. Beginners and those you have never get any blister from running, don’t worry your time will come, or otherwise, you are somehow lucky, or are you even run? Continue reading “OTHER: runners, nail technician nightmare”
Did you make new year resolution? Do you have a goal that you wish to achieve?
Have you written down your goal? The more important question, have you made a plan?
How to set a goal?
Whether you would like to lose weight, run half marathon, get better results from school, improve your overall health. Whatever your goal is, make sure it’s your goal! You are Continue reading “OTHER: Goal setting”
It’s that time again, the sun comes up late and goes down early. There are more dark hours than light, sometimes the sun hides behind clouds. Days feels shorter and sofa and warm blanket look way too comfortable. Training session waits, but you feel difficult to find energy for that. Here some tips to remember and beat this dark season of the year. Continue reading “Winter training; tired or dark?”
Do you find yourself out of the breath while running, even in easy pace? Well, you might be out of shape or running too fast for your fitness level. BUT, if you have been running for a while and still battle with catching breath even easy, slow pace, you might use wrong breathing technique.
Why should you vary your running terrains? First it gives diversity to your running, but it also prevents injuries, improve stamina and performance. It can help build those little leg muscles which play important role for technique and balance.
TRACK
Track is good terrain for interval training. Even if you are long distance runner, now speaking of marathon distance, you should do interval training. On the track you can easily set the distance, without looking continually to your watch. Track is also flat, Continue reading “Running on different terrains”
Okay, there might be many of you who has run marathon or a few of them, so this post might not bring anything new information for you, but those whose are about to take a part for their first marathon, you might find something good tips. I’m not write anything training, mental or nutrition tips here as I have spoken them earlier, these are more general little tips.
The last post wrote about running in the bad weather, now let’s look the other side of the coin, running in the heat.
During the heat season we can always choose when to go for the run, the best time of the day is before the sunrise. But we can’t change the start time of the marathon, so here are some tips how to survive. Continue reading “Running a marathon in hot day”
I thought to start the new series; my favourite. I will choose the running and sports related topic and list some of my favourite things, people, etc. I don’t know how often I will post these, maybe once in the month or more. If you have any a suggestion, I would like to hear them.
Let’s started with sports scientists, these include nutritionist, biomechanics, physical scientist, etc. As you know, there are tons of these people, but I have collected here some who I follow in social media and who are active in there and people whose book or other Continue reading “My favourite; sports scientists”
Most of us has bad habits, that’s okay, but if we constantly repeat them, the development and performance start to suffer. As running is not just running, to become faster and better we have to consider every aspect of our life. This doesn’t mean you have to live like elite athlete, but there are many little things which you can do, these also often prevent injuries and improve life quality. Can you recognize yourself any of these bad habits? Continue reading “Runner’s bad habits”
New year, New me! New Year resolution time is almost here, gyms are full of people in January, sports shop are selling products fast, fridges are filled up healthy food and plan list are filled up. Many of the people last whole month some quit after a week or two.
How to stick your new year resolution?
Start easy:
Make a little plans. For example if you want to lose weight and get fit, don’t go to the gym Continue reading “New Year resolution – tips to achieve them”
Training plan, running, food, Christmas Eve, family visit, hurry… PANIC!
STOP! Are you panicking how to survive for Christmas and training?
You may have training plan which you want to follow, but at the same there are a lot of happening during the Christmas, family visit, a lot of (unhealthy) food, all the preparations before the Christmas. Here are some tips how to survive over Christmas! Continue reading “Training and Christmas time”
Last summer I wrote about how to make treadmill running more fun, which you can find here. There are some tips on how to make treadmill running less boring especially for those how to find it boring.
But when you should use a treadmill? There are many cases when running on the treadmill will be more effective than running in outside.
1. Weather. You have to make yourself comfortable in running every weather, especially Continue reading “When to run on treadmill?”
