MKingMassage

It’s been ages since I last posted so the comeback had to be something special. And I think it is. Earlier this year I got wind that an old mate from New Zealand, Kevin Fink, was competing in an event I’d never heard of before – The UTA100. I was intrigued by the name alone and, knowing that Kevin was a keen runner, my interest was piqued well and truly. The UTA100 is a 100klm ultra-marathon through the ranges of the Blue Mountains outside of Sydney, Australia. It’s an intense endurance event which tests every aspect of the runner – physical, mental, spiritual – and the chance to speak to someone I know personally who had completed it was too good an opportunity to turn down.

Kevin very graciously gave me his time a week or so after completing the UTA100 and I thank him dearly for it. I will be eagerly watching Kevin’s future achievements.

Follow Kevin and his running adventures on Instagram: @kevinthefinkpanther

 NB: Some of the place names and/or events mentioned have been linked to for further information.

 MKMT - Has the enormity of what you've achieved sunk in by now? 

KF - Honestly at the time it felt like a big deal, like something that I had been working on for a long time, was clearly nervous about and was in the balance for the majority of the event, but now looking back it feels like no big thing. Like its time to set my new goal and start another adventure

 MKMT - How long have you had your eye on this event?

KF - My mate and I used to watch a TV show that aired on ESPN called "Search4Hurt". They would go to different high-profile sports teams and try and train with them. We would then take those techniques and use them in our workout regime. It was something that kept me sane and focused during a difficult personal situation. Anyway back in 2015 they did a highlight in what was then called the North Face 100 in the Blue Mountains (Aus). It just blew me away that people, ordinary fit people, could run 100k in the mountains. A seed was sown, and I started running more and lifting less

 MKMT - How long have you been running long distance events for?

KF - That’s a really good question. I ran a series of half marathon road races without really pushing my limits. When I advised my partner that I was planning on running an ultra at some stage she laughed and said I hadn’t even run a marathon before so it was a silly goal.  Next day I got up and ran 42k….It took five and a half hours and I felt stuffed at the end of it. That was late 2015. In March 2016 I ran with a group of guys around the Karapoti Classic course which is around 48k and has 2000m of elevation gain. I was really nervous about that one, was worried that I would hold everyone up but, although it was hard, I needn’t have worried. That was probably my first proper big run

 MKMT - Were you able to - or was there a need to - work training for this event in with other events you were running in? For example - were there any other races which you competed in and used as part of your over-all training for the UTA?

KF - I was supposed to, yeah, that was the plan. I was to attend the Shotover moonlight marathon which takes place in February in Queenstown (NZ). Unfortunately, late last year I managed to injure myself completing a north- south traverse of the Tararuas (NZ) so was unable to attend. It also meant that I couldn't start running until mid-February.

  MKMT - How did you develop a training plan for a run of this size? Did you work on upping your total miles each week or did you work on more of a length of time training schedule?

KF - Until I healed my training was really dictated by my injury. Lots of time at the gym on the spin cycle and lots of time building strength (single leg deadlifts, pistol squats, core strength work etc). When I could finally run I aimed for distance over the week - my goal being 100k. In reality I only ever hit this a handful of times. My other focus was obviously plenty of hill work and stair repeats, lots of high intensity style workouts to bring my overall fitness up. The idea being not only could I cover the distance, but the constant elevation changes wouldn’t affect me and when the track became runnable again I could run as fast as possible

 MKMT - Onto the race itself.

Can you talk me through your pre-race preparation?

KF - Mental or physical? Honestly this felt like any other big run I had been on. It was a little daunting not knowing the course at all but I knew that there would be good on course support if something went wrong.

Because the Blue Mountains is a good few hours out of Sydney I stayed in bunk beds at a cheap hostel the night before. Made sure I had all my mandatory kit laid out the night before and ate my usual breakfast of porridge and yoghurt the morning of. I didn’t get much sleep but again because of the nature and location of the big runs I often attend staying in DOC huts etc is pretty standard.

 MKMT - Did you have a support crew during the race? If so, can you say who they were and what their roles were?

KF - I did not. Unbelievably despite paying for my fiancé to come and support me she decided that a day shopping in Sydney was more fun than standing around in the middle of nowhere to give me food.  They had 3 drop bag locations which I used and my partner came out to cheer me through the finish line chute and bring me chocolate milk which was pretty awesome.

 MKMT - Were there any essential items you HAD to pack for during the race - either as instructed in the race rules or simply from your own requirements?

KF - Yeah the UTA rules are hardout. Thermal top and leggings, waterproof jacket, beanie, two headlamps, mobile phone, compass, whistle, emergency space blanket, dry sack, first aid kit, minimum water carrying capacity of two litres, waterproof map case, food portions, gloves, map of course. All these things were included and are pretty standard on long runs but we also needed a compression bandage, firelighter block, windproof matches, waterproof pants, polar fleece top, High viz top which had to be worn after four-thirty PM.

 MKMT - Can you talk me through the race itself. What were the other competitors like? Is there a sense of camaraderie during the event?

KF - Yes! Everyone is in it together, there is no place for massive egos. I find in trail races especially people have a really good understanding of letting faster people through until you are naturally running with people at a similar pace as yourself. It’s going to be a long day so naturally you get chatting, "Where are you from? Have you been here before? Target times? What do you do for a job?" etc. Then at about the 60 odd k mark you run through the Katoomba township again and people come out of their houses and line the streets. Pretty awesome vibe! You get high fives from all the kids and the old boys sit there with their box of Fosters cheering you on. Great work from volunteers in the aid stations too 

 MKMT - Would you consider massage to be an effective/complimentary training and recovery tool for someone considering a run of this distance and/or ANY long-distance events?

KF - I always thought it was a little bit silly until one day at the end of the first day of a 3 day race. One of the participants partners who was staying with us gave me a massage. From that day on I’ve been a convert. I think it’s easy to get caught up in a training regime mentality without thinking of the larger picture which is we want out tendons, muscles and joints moving as efficiently as possible. I also find having an expert look over your body for issues or tightness that you should work on very beneficial. I often find things that I’m concerned about are non-issues and things I didn’t know about are a much bigger deal overall.

 MKMT - Have you used massage specifically for running before? 

KF - Yes

 MKMT - What’s next on the agenda? Do you now go even bigger or do you aim to wind it back a little?

Whilst this blog has recently focused on the benefits of massage in sporting and corporate scenarios, I thought it about time to touch on holistic massage and, in particular, one valuable benefit to us all. Cast your mind back to my very first blog – you can always browse back through them to that first one if you like as well…there aren’t too many to work through….go on. In that initial blog I mentioned that the one thing that first drew me to massage was my fascination with the ability of our hands to be healing instruments. Massage, for me, is a pure form of healing through touch. This isn’t a new or particularly original train of thought – as a species mankind has been using massage as an instrument of healing for centuries: The first recorded use of massage was in a Chinese medical text called the Nei-Jing between 722-481 BC. Interesting side note – the Nei-Jing is often said to have become the foundation text of Traditional Chinese Medicine.  In ancient Greece, no less, Hippocrates believed that physicians, ALL physicians, should hone their skills in therapeutic massage or, as he termed it, ‘medicinal rubbing’.

But what about our modern times? It is widely acknowledged that, amongst other things, massage helps boost the immune system and aids in fighting illness, relaxes and helps repair tired muscles, aids in flexibility, improves digestion, reduces fatigue and increases blood flow & lymph circulation. However, I wanted to spend a little time looking at the benefits of massage on the mind. On our mental health and wellbeing.

The world around us can seem a frantic and stressful environment and as physical beings of this world we can become something of a sponge for those stresses. Many people are aware of the simple pleasure that comes with receiving a massage – the feeling that the stresses of the day are washing away. This ‘feeling’ also has the backing of the scientific community with studies showing that ‘tactile massage can reduce anxiety…and stress’. The above is quoted from research carried out by Lenita Lindgren and Umea University in Sweden and subsequently reported by sciencenordic.com. Read the full article here.

During consultation, I will ask how the clients stress levels are and I will get them to rate their stress in different aspects of life – at home and at work for example – between 1-10. Whilst we may all, at times, downplay the level of stress that we feel, it is difficult for a client’s physical self to disguise that same stress. Stress displays itself in a myriad of different ways physically. Whether it be angry, stooped shoulders or a high level of muscular tension in the back, for example, as a therapist it is my obligation to look out for signs of stress in a client. The change in most people at the end of a treatment is remarkable – posture improves and their physical self appears more relaxed. And this is visible after only one treatment! If this is the impact that massage is having on stress in its physical form I am sure that it must also be having a positive effect on the brain and, duly, the mental health of the client – this is something that I will research further and write in a follow-up blog.

So if you are feeling stressed or if your anxiety levels feel like they are rising, book yourself an holistic massage and let your mind relax – along with your muscles – for an hour. I am available at [email protected] or on 0871808413 at any time.

The benefits of massage therapy for you, the individual, are well documented. Aside from the obvious benefits – muscle repair and relaxation among them – studies have shown massage can help alleviate anxiety, digestive disorders & stress related insomnia.

But what about the benefits of massage to the work place? What happens when forward thinking employers offer massage as an employee benefit? Whilst living in Australia I was fortunate enough to work for a company that recognized the advantages gained from providing their staff with regular in house massage. The therapists day would be booked up long in advance of their arrival such was the eagerness of us, desk-based workers, to have 20 glorious minutes to let the stresses of working life melt away. As well as being an excellent benefit to offer their employees, the company owners were aware that a relaxed and comfortable workforce was more productive and happier in our roles.

Studies have linked massage to improved brainpower and productivity, a fact that may be a contributing factor in the increasing number of US businesses offering corporate massage to their staff. Forbes.com published an article in April 2016, quoting a survey conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management in which 11% of companies surveyed already offered chair-based corporate massage while another 3% of companies had plans to add corporate massage within the following 12 months. But why? Other than an attractive employee incentive what are some of the tangible benefits of a corporate massage scheme being rolled out in your workplace?

1.       Work place massage is good for business.

According to the American Institute of Stress, an estimated 1 million workers are absent every day due to stress. Whilst the numbers of absentee’s due to work place stress here in Ireland are, of course, going to be lower due to a much smaller population, the fact remains that stress related illness does have an impact on daily absenteeism. Massage has been shown to help reduce workplace stress related injuries, leading to reduced absenteeism, fewer worker’s compensation claims and thus less cost to employers.

2.       Chair massage helps desk-based workers.

If you have ever spent a day sat at a desk you will be well aware of the pressures this simple act puts on your body. A sore, stiff neck. Aching wrists. Shoulders so tight they feel like someone is slowly compacting them. As David Palmer, co-developer of the first massage chair and founder of the TouchPro Institute in San Francisco, says, most ‘office related physical symptoms can be attributed to a loss of circulation’. The simple act of sitting behind a desk all day – especially one which may be incorrectly ergonomically designed – impedes blood and lymph flow through the body. This in turn leads to tight muscles, mental fatigue, a decrease in energy and a greater chance of suffering repetitive stress injuries. A simple 20 minute chair-based massage for the back, neck and shoulders will increase circulation leading to an alert mind, increased energy levels and a relaxed and injury free body.  

3.       Massage helps you sleep better.

We all love deep, restful sleep. The unfortunate truth however is that many people do not enjoy a high quality of sleep. A lack of sleep can leave your work force feeling lethargic and low on energy. Studies have found people who receive regular massage treatments are more likely to spend a greater amount of time in deep sleep – the restorative stage of the sleep cycle.

 Whilst Corporate Massage is a familiar and commonplace employee benefit throughout workplaces in countries such as New Zealand, Australia & The USA, businesses in Ireland have only recently started to come around to the idea. Michael King Massage Therapy has a range of packages designed to ensure that your business can offer the benefits of regular massage to your employees at a competitive rate. Contact me at [email protected] or via mkingmassage.com to discuss including this advantageous and rewarding aspect of employee wellness in your work place.

2014 was quite a year. 

I started studying massage with Holistic College Dublin. My wife and I got our first cat together - Arthur, the green eyed gentleman - you'll be forever missed mate. And I signed up to run my first marathon.

I've been a running enthusiast for as long as I can remember. Growing up in New Zealand I used to compete in school athletics competitions and loved the cross country running events that would be held around the wider Wellington region - I have vivid memories of my first cross country event as a young boy in the woods and park land of Pinehaven, north of Wellington. As I got older I competed in less official 'meets' but would still run as often as I could. Eventually the lush terrain of Mt Victoria and the Green Belt became the site for regular runs. It was an opportunity to not only stretch those underused muscles but to also revel in the sights and sounds of the world going by that we don't always pay attention to whether on a bus, a bike or some other form of transport.

After completing a half Marathon earlier in 2014 I decided that I was ready to attempt my first full marathon and The Dublin Marathon was it. I spoke to people who'd completed marathons themselves to get an idea of what I could expect - the pain, the preparation, the over whelming sense of accomplishment upon finishing. While peoples experiences were all rather different there was one thing that everyone agreed on: the need for quality preparation before and recovery afterwards. A marathon, by definition, isn't something to be entered into halfheartedly and so I threw myself into training full of gusto and wide eyed enthusiasm. As well as focusing on nutrition, appropriate hydration and getting the training miles under my belt I knew I had to incorporate regular massage into my training. Whether it was sessions of holistic massage to relax my whole body and prepare for the training ahead or targeted sports massage to work out the strains from my calves following a hard week of training, building massage into my training routine was a vital ingredient in getting me from signing up for the marathon to actually finishing. My therapist was wonderfully open and eager to assist me in the goal of running the Dublin marathon and she developed a dedicated massage plan to work alongside the hours of training I was doing. Every second Wednesday I would visit her and we'd discuss how my training had been between sessions and from there work out what was going to be the most beneficial form of massage for the following fortnight or what parts of my body (very often the legs, I won't lie) needed a little bit of extra attention.

After the marathon I was sore. I hurt - again, there is no point in my acting like a superman here - but I was able to recover faster than I otherwise would have by having my muscles, as well as my mind, in good shape pre-marathon. This was in no small part due to the regular massage hours that had been a part of my training. I booked in for a couple of recovery massage sessions in the week or two after the marathon and the feeling of relief for my tired and worn muscles was amazing.

As marathon season is fast approaching here in Ireland, I'd recommend everyone who is in the midst of, or just starting, their training to consider building regular massage therapy into their schedule. At Michael King Massage Therapy we can tailor a massage development plan just for you to ensure that your muscles AND your mind are ready and willing to push you through those tough times, to achieve your final goal and get you across that finish line. Don't hesitate to contact me and book an initial consultation in the therapy room of the iyoga studio's in Phibsboro. Reach me at mkingmassage.com, via email at [email protected] or via Facebook (Michael King Massage Therapy).

And here we are! The study has been completed. Experience gained. The logo is all go and now....the website goes live! All that is remaining is this blog. And this feels like the hardest part. So why not a little bit about myself and then a little about what we can expect from this blog. Sounds good? Yeah it does.

ALBAM - A little bit about me.

I’ve been fascinated by the importance of human contact for a long long time. We live in a world where it’s become easier than ever to avoid any form of direct human contact - and by human contact I don’t mean liking someones post or increasing our followers....I mean good old fashioned human touch. Whether it be a simple hug, a crisp high five or the electricity of holding someones hand, human contact is vitally important to our emotional, personal and physical well being. A number of friends of mine have been practicing in different aspects of complimentary medicine for quite some time and I’d always been (and still am of course!) eager to speak to them and hear their experiences first hand. One thing that they all kept coming back to was human contact. Human Touch. As a tool for healing and easing and relaxing and empowering. Human Touch couldn’t be more important in our ever expanding but increasingly isolated world. So when I was at a loose end for something new to turn my attention to my lovely wife nudged me closer and closer towards studying massage - so close that, if truth be told, she graciously booked me on an initial experience gathering weekend course just ‘to see if you like it’. And like it I did. So much so that I eventually went on to study Holistic AND Sports massage with HCD in Dublin, Ireland. 

The holistic side of massage was what first drew me to study but I became a hard and fast convert to the practice of Sports Massage. I am a running enthusiast - read: I’ve run the Dublin Marathon and a couple of Half Marathons but am in no way breaking or even attempting to break any records other than personal ones - and receiving Sports Massage as part of my training and then my recovery have become key parts of my enjoyment of the pursuit.

WWCEFTB - What We Can Expect From This Blog.

This blog will be an ever evolving and changing place for thoughts to develop. A place where relevant and interesting articles will be posted and, I hope, expanded on. This will ideally also become a place where other practitioners of massage and complimentary treatments can share their wisdom and findings with us. This will really be a place for thought and chat and hopefully a decent dose of information.

So that is that. Phase one is complete! I look forward to many more of these to come.

Peace and Light,