Fitness Pro Educates LLS Marathoners

Debbie Roberts, LMT, NASMT, with the help of
Joanie Moore presentsvaluable information to several
LLS marathoners.

STUART, FL. – On Saturday, August 28, 2010, Debbie Roberts, licensed massage therapist (LMT), National Academy of Sports Medicine Trainer (NASMT), Titliest Medical Level 3 Trainer, and owner of Massage & Fitness Professionals of the Treasure Coast provided some valuable lessons to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) marathon training for the Team in Training (TNT) program. Roberts presented a brief educational seminar about common issues runners face with muscle imbalances and how to correct them.

The crowd was given two sheets of exercises with 12 exercises per sheet. The first page addressed the flexibility issues that runners will face. Participants were given instructions to make sure that he or she focused on the front, rear, inside and outside of both the lower compartment of the leg and the upper thigh region. The stretching consisted of the gastrocnemius or calf muscle, anterior or front portion of the lower leg, hamstring, adductor group along with the three tendons that attach at the medial knee (satorius, gracilis, and semitendinosus), the iliotibial band, quadriceps, and psoas or hip flexor as most people call it. Roberts then moved on to explain, “….the hip has eight hip rotators that could get tight which is why the runners were given an out of gravity hip oblique stretch and a knee to chest stretch to get those big powerful gluts stretched out; and the knee to chest stretch is to help open up the low back (which takes a vibrational brunt from running). Roberts then talked about the importance of the next two stretches on the sheets, which were child’s pose and cat stretch to help maintain the flexibility in the spine to absorb the brunt of walking and running. They  were given two other out of gravity stretches for the hips.” 

Roberts also presented information on the importance of strength, in hamstrings, glutes, back, and core. Finally, Roberts presented information and a demonstration about the plantar surface of the foot and how if the calf muscle stays to tight it pulls on the heel and as the foot pushes off it can contribute to over stretching the under surface of the foot. Roberts continued to show the runners that, “it is easier to prevent a condition than to fix it afterwards. Therefore, if they knew that their foot was pronating in they should probably get an orthotic for their shoe. Roberts broke it down into three simple things that would help prevent plantar fasciitis:

1. Good fitting shoes.
2. Stretching the calf or gastroc.
3. Getting an orthotic if necessary depending on foot structure.

For more information on plantar fasciitis go to www.mayoclinic.com/health/plantar-fasciitis.” Runners appreciated that Roberts shared her extensive knowledge of the anatomy, Debbie Duffy (participant)commented, “I have been running for over 10 years, and found Robert’s presentation informative and helpful.”

Roberts is honored to have been asked to support the TNT runners on the Treasure Coast. TNT began in 1988, when Bruce Cleland of Rye, NY formed a team that raised funds and trained to run the New York City Marathon in honor of Cleland's daughter Georgia, a leukemia survivor. Treasure Coast athletes have committed to join the more than 40,000 runners, walkers, cyclists, hikers and triathletes who will participate in the world's major marathons, triathlons, hiking adventures and century rides this year on behalf of LLS.

Treasure Coast runners meet at the Shell gas station at the base of the Roosevelt Bridge in Stuart on Saturday mornings. For more information, how you might also join Team in Training, please contact Nicole Switzer at Nicole.switzer@lls.org, or call (561)775-9954. For more information about TNT, please see: www.teamintraining.org/pb/.

Jon Blakeslee and Joanie Moore have committed to coaching the athletes that are raising money for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The Treasure Coast TNT endurance program is for three different events: The  Women’s Running Magazine’s Women’s Half-Marathon in St. Petersburg on Nov. 21, The Palm Beaches Marathon Festival Half-Marathon on Dec.5, or Disney full or half-marathon Jan. 8 & 9, 2011. Additionally, for the month September 2010, any monetary donation to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society will warrant a 20% discount off the regular price of either ½ or 1-hour massage. To find out more about the services offered by Massage & Fitness Professionals of the Treasure Coast, please see: www.massage-fitnessspa.com/about.html or visit: 2215 S. Kanner Highway Stuart, FL 34994, or call: 772-288-0073. 

For more information about Debbie Roberts Seminars, and you too might use her techniques to prevent injuries and improve performance, please visit:  www.massage-fitnessspa.com Roberts staff (with over 30 years combined experience) can leave you feeling refreshed, renewed, and rejuvenated. To find out more about the three different departments of Massage & Fitness Professionals of the Treasure Coast (massage, fitness, and aesthetics), why equipment can make people weak; and why exercise should be based on functional training not muscle isolation, please call the office for a personal appointment or to schedule a speaking engagement for your group.