Thoughts from the Massage Table

I either completely suck at turning my brain off during a massage, or I am the poster child for train of thought relaxation during a massage.

• "I really should get back to blogging again."
• "Does she think I'm fat?"
• "I'm throwing a crapton of money at this. Let her think I'm fat."
• "OW. Yes, OK, my legs definitely needed this."
• "Oh. OK. That's better."
• "Why does a massage make me hungry? This happens every single time."
• "Do I need a snack? Maybe I'll get a snack when I'm done. Hey, that's better, I guess."
• "Ouch. Yes. That's a hip bone. Or maybe the flexor is just tight."
• "Oh, screw it. Everything is tight."
• "On the other hand, this is still more comfortable than an hour with Therapist 3.0." 
• "Maybe. That still really hurts."

I'm lucky in that after a rough start (maybe it is like psychotherapy afterall), I was so lucky to find a massage therapist who is beyond awesome. And, after walking around for way too long with generally tense muscles -- after our first session, she proclaimed that I was quite literally storing stress in my toes -- I decided that OK, if nothing else, I would get a massage after every race. 

In reality, I'd love to get a massage every other month. Sometimes, with the race schedule, that actually works out. But at any rate, still a worthwhile expense. 

Part of what I find invaluable about the massage routine is having someone who can take an objective look at my body, and point out what I may be missing -- or steer me back to a right direction. I've seen this massage therapist enough times now that she's comfortable making comparisons to how I've been before ... and likewise, since she's the one who knows musculature, I'm also comfortable asking questions that I may not be comfortable asking the Dietitian or Therapist 3.0. Especially since I don't feel like the massage therapist may have an ulterior motive. 

Don't see myself as a runner, I said. "I know you don't see yourself as one, but you've got the long and lean muscles of one."

Shouldn't I be gone of this water weight within a week? Cue laughter. "Um, no. Try two to three. At least."

Can I go for a swim since I need to do something to move? "Not unless you want to undo all of the work I just did."

And self-care? "Lots of water, and take it easy, and look at how your shoulder loosened up today."

I'll take it.