Jordan D. Metzl, M.D., is a nationally-recognized sports medicine physician who specializes in the treatment of athletic injuries at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. His practice treats more than 20,000 patients and is consistently voted among New York’s top sports medicine doctors by New York magazine. In addition to his medical practice, he is a 29-time marathon runner and nine-time Ironman finisher.
His new book, entitled “The Athlete’s Book of Home Remedies: 1,001 Doctor-Approved Health Fixes and Injury-Prevention Secrets for a Leaner, Fitter, More Athletic Body!” was released March 30, 2012 by Rodale, Inc. and is receiving widespread publicity and well-deserved praise.
Even a quick perusal of this book shows that it is destined, for many years to come, to become the next bible for athletes on issues ranging from prevention to treatment to everything in between. In Dr. Metzl’s words: “This book is dedicated to the millions of athletes who wake up each morning at 5:30, with no fanfare, and drag themselves out of bed to keep fit.” (Reprinted from: The Athlete’s Book of Home Remedies © 2012 by Dr. Jordan D. Metzl. Permission granted by Rodale, Inc. Available wherever books are sold).
I was lucky to see Dr. Metzl speak to a group of runners last night at a book signing at the Jack Rabbit Store on Lexington Avenue and 85th Street, in Manhattan. Within moments I was convinced that – for starters – I need to increase my strength training and use a foam roller – two things he stresses runners need to do to stay strong and avoid injury. During Q&A, I asked him what advice he would give to runners who travel to races. He advised that athletes often don’t give themselves enough travel time, and, that, as a result, at the time the event begins, the athlete is still stiff from the travel. What are your tips for traveling before a race or competitive event? My simplest ones would be to travel with a water bottle, and to take an aisle seat on a plane (both to stretch out legs, and for ease of getting up to walk around or to walk to the bathroom).
Dr. Metzl and Rodale, Inc. have generously donated two copies of the book for me to give away to dedicated readers of this blog. In order to enter the contest, you will need to do two things:
1. Leave a comment here on this blog with your tips on traveling before (or after) a competitive event, and
2. If you are on Twitter, please tweet the following: “win a copy of The Athlete’s Book of Home Remedies by Dr Metzl at http://www.willrunformiles.com/ @katruns26point2″
Only one entry per person. Winners will be chosen in a random drawing on May 15, 2012.
Please note: Will Run For Miles may have a financial relationship with some of the merchants advertised on the blog, and may receive compensation if consumers utilize the links located on this site and generate sales therefrom
A New York frequent flyer who elegantly combines her passions for worldwide travel, running a gazillion marathons all over the globe and staying fit ... without sacrificing her fancy for good wine and food.
For trips that involve long air travel, and multiple times zones, I suggest the following:
1. Ensure adequate hydration – it’s easy to become dehydrated on a long plane trip
2. Allow ample time before the race to attempt to get over jetlag. Flying cross country (or farther) the night before a goal race is a recipe for crashing midway through.
I tweeted! @pace_of_laurel
I definitely agree with making sure to stay hydrated, and if you have any compression gear they can work wonders! As for travel in general, I always try to keep my routine as much the same as possible. That means with food and the amount that I run
pack your running shoes in your carry on and wear compression socks/sleeves! i forgot to bring my compression gear once and spent the post-race flight in agony.
Keep moving. When flying after a race, I try to get an aisle seat so I can get up and stretch without bothering my neighbors.
Travel with plenty of time before race to adjust to time differences and temperature/climate/altitude differences. If flying drink plenty of fluids before and after to stay hydrated. Stick to routine foods before race, then go try all the new exciting local flavors AFTER the race to avoid any GI surprises.
Oooh, I’d LOVE to win this book! I already follow the “aisle” rule, but another one for me is to pack lots of familiar snacks so you’re not forced to eat sugary/unfamiliar snacks that could lead to GI distress.
When I used to travel for a lot of marathons, I actually would pack a toaster and peanut butter for my pre-race breakfast! I wonder what the TSA thought when they scanned my carry-on…
(I also tweeted about this giveaway – afhill262)
Get your feet up – sit on the floor, put them up on the next seat, lay down and put your feet on the wall. Especially immediately after the run, but as much as possible and for as long as possible post-run. If I’m the passenger in a car, I put them on the dash (I’m short) or sit on the back seat an get them up. Airports – sit on the floor; or lie on the floor and put your feet on the wall while waiting around for flights. Tweet done from @tmaclaren.
In addition to hydration and aisle seats for long flights with time zone changes, I’d recommend taking flights that enable your body to get into the destination time zone ASAP. For example, when I fly to the East Coast from the West Coast, early morning flights are ideal because I have to wake up very early (4-5 a.m.), which makes the transition occur even before I arrive at my destination!
ohh i travel for all of my races so I’m good at this!!
1. always bring your magic stick
2. always bring your race breakfast
3. if you like to soak in a tub after long runs do it after the race too and OH BABY compression pants!
I tweeted @yomommaruns.
And I always take as much compression gear as I can for before, during and after a race. Also, I take colon cleanse pills because nothing stops you up more than traveling. And that is not acceptable before a race!
When I travel, I make sure to have plenty of water to stay hydrated. When I am returning from a race, I do my best to reduce swelling by keeping my legs elevated and wearing compression gear.
Ah, but unfortunately airport security doesn’t always favor “the stick”. Had my last one confiscated in Argentina 2 days before a 20 miles trail run in Patagonia. Ouch.
Kinesiology tape is helpful for post race recover (as well as support during), and unlike the stick you won’t get any grief for taking it through security.
I tweeted out the link…
In terms of travel (for an out of state race), I typically will arrive at the event (at least) the day before. If it’s local, I may be slightly guilty of arriving at the start line an hour before the race.
For afterwards, there is usually a lot of stretching before I jump back in the car which is quickly followed by more stretching (and if necessary) icing once I’m home.
Excited to read the book and see all the WRONG things I’m doing.
I think the two most basic things that anyone could do who is traveling for an out of town race is:
1) Make sure you arrive a day early even if the race is not far away and 2) make sure that you pack two days early in order to cope with any unforeseen contingencies: injuries great and small, unexpected weather, degree of fatigue after the race
Before: If I fly, I make sure I stay very hydrated and amon the ground 24hrs before the event. If I drive to the event I make sure I am there at least in time for packet pickup. READ HOTEL REVIEWS! Nothing is worse than a bad nights sleep because you picked a bad hotel.
After: I make sure I have clean clothes and a towel. I check to see if there are shower facilities available near the finish. I also pack extra food. Sometimes you forget until you get in the car and then you are hungry. I also bring my favorite flip flops and a pull over dress…I travel home as comfortable as I can so I can crawl into bed when I get ehre.
Hi Kathy! It was nice meeting you at FTU yesterday. (I was the guy in the hunter green NYRR shirt.)
My travel tip is to pack Tylenol PM, for that all important pre-race sleep. I’ll only pop half a pill if already tired.
I tend to find Panera Breads b/c they’re healthy and have good pre- and post- food options (esp for vegetarians). I hate fast foods and found that is super great.
Also, pack flip flops/birkenstocks/something comfortable to wear on your feet!
I like to get in early enough to be able to drive the racecourse the day before so I know what to expect and also so my support team (my wife!) knows spots where we can meet up as she brings me my magic elixir – dill pickle juice (also have to go buy said dill pickle juice)!
Also, like Cherie I like to get to the start line at least 1-2 hours early, so we look to see if there is a Panera or other decent coffee shop/restaurant that we can relax in before the race. We don’t always stay within walking distance of the race if the close hotels are to expensive so it’s nice to beat the rush and closing streets.
Since I am a 4-5 hour marathon runner and can seldom get that late of a hotel checkout (unless it’s a really early start), so I also like to see if I can find a YMCA or fitness center that will allow my to use the shower facilities afterwards, before heading out.