I've doing the Bramley 10 next Sunday and am planning to taper towards the end of next week but thought it would be beneficial also to have a sports massage the day before. Does anyone out there have these often and if so do you find them helpful? I can't imagine that it's going to do me any harm having one the day before the race.

I wouldn't. Sports massages sometimes leave you feeling bruised and battered for a day or so. I'd have one 3-5 days before, but no closer. Ideally, after your last long run before the race, but before your last light recovery run.

I agree with Greg massage leaves you feeling quite beaten up worth it though

I'm a sports therapist, and Greg's right... don't have one closer than 3 days before, preferably 5 or 6.

It amazed me at the FLM expo last year to see so many runners having deep sports massage on the Saturday...the day before the marathon. The sports masseurs should've known better!!

I also meant to say Cheryl...I'm doing the Bramley 20, so I'll see you there.
I'll be in blue club vest with 'Hogweed Trotters' on it.

How much are you all paying for a sports massage? The last one I got was £20 for about 45 mins which I thought was a bit expensive.

£20 for 45 mins seems a bit of a bargain to me. Not sure where you live but in my neck of the woods it's more like £20 for 30mins, £35 per hour.

Trinity, you're not in SW London/Surrey by any chance, are you? My therapist has gone back to Zimbabwe, quite like to find another...

Sorry Greg...no, I'm in Bristol.

I pay £44 per hour or £25 for half an hour...he is very good though, and does allignment work on me too.

However, for a sports massage I charge £18 per half hour, so selectomatic you are getting a bargain...just so long as the sports therapist is good.

£40.00 for an hour at my gym.

Trinity, the weather is supposed to be really bad on Sunday. Complete wash out.

Oh no!!! That could be a problem for me then... my asthma doesn't like wet conditions

It might change yet...the forecast isn't always right (she says hopefully)

How did you get on today Cheryl?

I had a great race

New PB... finished the 20 in 2.47

Got any ideas on how to fix the "John Wayne" legs??

They should have known better but they were happy to take the cash!
I am a qualified sports massage therapist and I recommend that people leave at least three days after a massage before a big race. You should treat it like a hard session if it is a really deep one!

Some years ago I did a sports massage course that took place on weekends.
One Saturday I had the class just before a steeplechase race.
As we practised on each other, my course partner practised on one of my legs but then didn't have time for the other.
I raced 1 hour later and it felt like I had one leg made of stone and the other made of rubber

I wouldn't have/give a massage on the day or two before a race unless it would be a superficial one for relaxation (even a back massage) to calm down if the runner would be feeling nervous.