Rick Gilde Massage therapist, Rick Gilde, provided massages at the Boston Marathon on Monday. He will also help at the Rocky Coast Road Race/Bunny Run on Saturday, May 1. (Photo Kevin Burnham)

Rick has been there every year since 1983, except 1985, and currently serves as a Team Co-Captain. His duties include supervising the primary work area, where 75-100 massage tables are set up to receive the runners after they finish the race, helping plan and execute the set-up and clean-up of the area which the John Hancock Co. graciously allows the team to use, and generally keeping an eye out for anything else that needs to be done -- and making sure that it gets done! ``My experience at Boston gives me a pretty good idea of what's needed to make sure things run smoothly,'' said Gilde. ``Each year is a little different -- sometimes, it seems I spend a lot of time dealing with small crises, such as an athlete in extreme distress, running out of hot broth on a cold afternoon, or distraught family members trying to connect with ``their'' athletes. Other years, it's all that and massaging runners before and/or after the race.''

The Massage Team has become an integral part of the Medical Services provided to Boston Marathon runners. Team Captain Jeff Forrest of Massachusetts attends planning meetings with the Boston Athletic Association (BAA) all year long. On race day, the Massage Team begins setting up at 4:30 a.m., so therapists heading out to the start of the race in Hopkinton, can be checked in and aboard school buses at 6:30 a.m. Two massage teams are sent to the start of the race, one for the runners, and one for the wheelchair athletes. Massage treatments are offered right up to the start of the race at noon. The wheelchair athletes start a short while before the runners, and are treated by the same massage team at the end of the race. ``In past years, I've done pre-race massage for the wheelchair athletes,'' Rick added, ``and had them nearly beat our buses back to the finish line. They're incredible athletes and truly inspire everyone who meets them!''

After the runners cross the finish line, they are assessed by medical personnel (triage). Those who need immediate attention are brought into one of the medical tents. Those who are doing all right, are sent on a cool-down walk, and then may seek out massage treatments on their own. When runners enter the massage area, they are registered, and triaged again by therapists with medical backgrounds. Some athletes wind up in distress after they've had a chance to cool down, and any medical needs at this point are handled in triage. The runners then may choose treatment by members of the Chiropractic Team that work in the same area, and/or go on to get massaged. Once the runners are escorted to massage tables, they are again assessed by the therapists. They then receive a variety of soft tissue treatments aimed at helping them recover from the race. A team of Podiatrists also works along with the Massage Team at this time, dealing with blisters and other minor foot injuries. In about four hours, approximately 800 runners will have walked out with smiles on their faces, feeling good enough to dance the night away at their post-race party! By 8:30 p.m. the last of the clean-up in the massage area is done...and planning begins for next year's race.

``Massage Therapy, which is great for everyone, is especially helpful to athletes who compete in such grueling events,'' said Gilde. Before the race, massage helps to loosen tight muscles, relieve pre-race anxieties, and prepare runners to achieve their goals. After the race, massage helps relieve muscle soreness, return runners' systems to balance (homeostasis), and minimize any residual soreness in the days following the race. Many marathoners say they return to training in half the time when they receive a 10-20 minute massage right after the race. Regular massage treatments, as part of training, can improve performance, minimize injury, and aid in rehabilitation should injuries occur.

Rick has been providing Massage Therapy in Lincoln County since 1983, relocating his office to Boothbay Harbor from Damariscotta in 1998. He also maintained a summer office at the Newagen Inn for three years in the late 80s. If you plan to run the Rocky Coast Road Race at the YMCA on May 1st, look for Rick and get a complementary sports massage treatment after you've finished. For more information about Massage Therapy, please feel free to contact Rick at 633-1195.