Massage Matters: How Post-Marathon Massage Supports Your Marathon Recovery
Crossing the finish line of the Chicago Marathon is a life-changing accomplishment. But after 26.2 miles, your body needs more than just rest and hydration—it needs targeted recovery. That’s where post-marathon massage can make all the difference in your marathon recovery plan.
We sat down with Carlos Saqiid, Clinical Massage Therapist at FFC, to learn why booking a massage after your race is one of the smartest things you can do for your body.
Why Massage is Crucial After a Marathon
According to Carlos, the biggest mistake runners make after the race is letting stiffness settle in.
“The smartest runners collapse right onto a massage table after the race,” he explains. “You don’t want to let everything sit and get stiff—you want to rehydrate, mobilize, and get out of that working running position.”
Massage helps restore balance to your muscles and joints—hips, knees, ankles, shoulders—after hours locked into a repetitive running stride. By improving circulation and loosening tight tissues, massage helps speed up recovery and prevent that post-race “stuck” feeling.
Boosting Blood Flow and Refeeding Muscles
Marathon recovery isn’t just about stretching; it’s also about fueling. Carlos emphasizes that massage supports nutrient delivery to muscles when your body needs it most.
“You want blood flow so your nutrients and hydration can actually move around,” he says. “Without some sort of rest and repair, you’re just going to be stagnant and unable to refeed your muscles.”
Massage increases circulation, moisturizes the skin, and ensures that when you rehydrate with water, coconut water, or electrolytes, your body can effectively use those nutrients to repair torn muscle fibers.
Exclusive Perks for Runners
Carlos also reminds marathoners that recovery should be celebrated—and rewarded.
Bring your race bib from the Chicago Marathon into the FFC Spa to receive special discounts on your post-race massage:
- $5 off a 30-minute massage
- $10 off a 60-minute massage
- $15 off a 90-minute massage
And it doesn’t stop there: “It can be from the Chicago Marathon or any race you’ve run anywhere in the world—we’ll honor it,” Carlos notes.
Book Your Post-Marathon Massage at FFC Spa
Whether it’s your first marathon or your fifteenth, don’t let soreness and stiffness overshadow your accomplishment. At the FFC Spa, our massage therapists specialize in helping athletes recover faster, feel looser, and get back to what they love.
Book your marathon recovery massage today through the FFC+ app. Not an FFC member? No problem. Book your massage through this link, or call your nearest FFC location, and we’ll get you taken care of.
