When I first started training for half-marathons in Gainesville, Fla., I happened to live a few blocks from a friend of a friend who was a massage therapist. Every few weeks, she’d magically knead out the kinks and strains that inevitably pop up during training. Her office was a lavender-scented cocoon with Asian fountains, calming artwork and sleepy-time music involving flutes.
When I moved to Jacksonville, I cycled through the following: A runner who was a gifted massage therapist but talked about his latest ultra the whole time; a woman who squinted in confusion when I asked her to work on my IT band; and a woman who was so aggressive, she left bruises. The last one, an older woman with drawn-on eyebrows, was my personal favorite. Her office had white walls, an exam table with white sheets and a CD player loaded with what sounded like “Flight of the Bumblebees.”
So when Steve asked what I’d like for my birthday (coming up May 20 … mark it on your calendars), I hesitated before asking for a visit to a massage therapist. I want someone gentle enough to make it relaxing, but tough enough to work out all those funky running kinks. I want someone who understands runners, but who doesn’t confuse the massage with a group run. I also want to find someone affordable enough that I can actually consider going back.
Any ideas for someone in the greater Washington area who fits this description? Post a comment below. I’ll be sure to post a review here once I find one.
ohmygosh! what was her name again? the tranny-masseuse that i sent you to? she was THE BEST but totally kicked my ass when i saw “her.”
Her name, allegedly, was Lily. I still have nightmares of her saying, in that husky voice: “This is probably going to hurt.”
yes!!! lily!!!
why do i feel she found joy in our misery?
1st comment didn’t work out , so here’s a shortened version.
Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa – I gave Courtney a gift certificate for this place once. Not sure if they do massages. She might be able to offer a full review.
Or a massage on a beach overlooking the ocean at a caribbean resort (or maybe that’s what I want for my birthday – coming up May 1, mark you calendar)
Hmmm … I sense a joint birthday celebration coming up … you hook up the Caribbean connection, I’ll set up the massages.