Posted: January 6, 2005

Athletics: Olympians Help Marathon Runners Prepare For 'Muscle Ache Monday'

Marathoner Deena Kastor and Top Athletic Trainer Chris Carmichael Tackle Post-Race Muscle Aches and Pains At Nation's Top Marathons

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Jan. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- For marathon runners, the day after a race can sometimes be more challenging than the race itself because even the most seasoned athletes experience post- race muscle aches and pains. Marathoners, or any weekend athletes, are likely to feel the effects of a strenuous workout. In fact, marathoners, who usually race on Sundays, often refer to the following day as "Muscle Ache Monday."

The makers of Tylenol(R) 8 Hour are designating the day after a marathon as "Muscle Ache Monday." In recognition, they are launching a campaign to help runners across the country manage post-race muscle soreness. The campaign, which kicks off at the WALT DISNEY WORLD(R) Marathon on Sunday, January 9, 2005, will feature 2004 Olympic Marathon medalist Deena Kastor and world class trainer Chris Carmichael, and will offer tips on training, nutrition and stretching techniques.

"Muscle aches can last for several days after a marathon, so it is a good idea to have a post-race strategy in place that helps to manage muscle soreness," said Carmichael, a member of the 1984 Olympic Cycling Team and coach of six-time Tour de France winner, Lance Armstrong. "I often recommend that marathoners do plenty of stretching, follow a good nutritional plan and also use a pain reliever, such as acetaminophen, the ingredient in Tylenol(R) 8 Hour to manage post-race muscle soreness. I work with elite athletes and others who are just looking to get into shape and they both need to know how to recover. The same tips I give to elite athletes can be used by everyone."

Carmichael offers the following advice to the thousands of runners across the country who will collectively clock millions of training hours in 2005.

* Set a schedule. Establish a weekly training program that varies easy, moderate and challenging runs with rest days.

* Stretch it out. Take the time to stretch for five to 10 minutes before, after and sometimes during your run.

* Taper your training. Steadily scale back your runs the last few weeks leading up to the marathon.

* Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Drink water and sports drinks when you wake up, when you're training, during the race, and at the finish line.

* Manage muscle pain. Take an over-the-counter medication, such as acetaminophen, to treat muscle aches and pains on the day after a marathon or a long training run. (As with all medications, read and follow label directions.)

* Enjoy. Finishing a marathon is an incredible feat. Enjoy it for a while and give your body the time it needs and deserves to make a complete recovery.

About Tylenol(R) 8 Hour
Tylenol(R) 8 Hour, which contains acetaminophen (650mg/pill), is an extended release formulation that provides fast, effective relief from minor muscular aches and pains for up to 8 hours. The product has a unique patented bi-layer caplet: The first layer dissolves quickly to provide prompt pain relief and the second layer is time-released to provide up to 8 hours of relief. Tylenol(R) 8 Hour is available as caplets (non-coated) and geltabs. Recommended dosing of Tylenol(R) 8 Hour for adults and children 12 years and older is 2 caplets or geltabs every 8 hours with water, not to exceed 6 caplets or geltabs in 24 hours. (Do not use in children under 12 years of age.) Tylenol(R) 8 Hour is the Official Pain Reliever of the WALT DISNEY WORLD(R) Marathon Weekend. For more information, please visit www.tylenol.com.

About McNeil Consumer & Specialty Pharmaceuticals
McNeil Consumer & Specialty Pharmaceuticals markets prescription and over- the-counter (OTC) pharmaceutical products. Prescription products include CONCERTA(R) (methylphenidate HCl) and FLEXERIL(R) (cyclobenzaprine HCl) 5 mg. The company's OTC products include complete lines of TYLENOL(R) Acetaminophen and MOTRIN(R) IB Ibuprofen products for adults and children. Other McNeil brands include IMODIUM(R) A-D anti-diarrheal, ST. JOSEPH(R) Adult Regimen Aspirin and NIZORAL(R) A-D Shampoo.