RunningAHEAD - Topic: Hamstring disaster has struck!

jEfFgObLuE

I've got a fever...

posted: 3/27/2007 at 2:50 PM
modified: 3/27/2007 at 2:50 PM

Well, my biggest fear (aside from those crazy-ass bugs that Claire showed us) seems to be coming true. My right hamstring, victim of such past foolish indiscretions such as flag football, and the Corporate Challenge 4x400 relay, got extremely tight during my run yesterday, and is on the verge of pulling. Cry

I stretched a lot last night, went out real slow on my run today, and stretched some more, but it got worse rather than better. I had to walk back (which seemed like a better choice than the jog/waddle/stomp that I was doing). What to do? How do I treat this thing so that I can get to a point where I no longer have to worry about whether it's going to blow? Help! Jeff

On your deathbed, you won't wish that you'd spent more time at the office. But you will wish that you'd spent more time running. Because if you had, you wouldn't be on your deathbed.

zoom-zoom

rectumdamnnearkilledem

posted: 3/27/2007 at 2:55 PM

No advice, but I hope it's not going to be a major problem. Do you think some cross-training with weights would help...something to strengthen your hams and supporting muscles? k

Getting the wind knocked out of you is the only way to

remind your lungs how much they like the taste of air.

~ Sarah Kay

jEfFgObLuE

I've got a fever...

posted: 3/27/2007 at 3:00 PM
modified: 3/27/2007 at 3:01 PM

Sounds great. What kind of exercises do you recommend? I've been running for a long time, but I'm pretty ignorant of these new-fangled concepts like "nutrition", "cross-training", "strength training", and "Listening To Your Body." Wink

On your deathbed, you won't wish that you'd spent more time at the office. But you will wish that you'd spent more time running. Because if you had, you wouldn't be on your deathbed.

zoom-zoom

rectumdamnnearkilledem

posted: 3/27/2007 at 3:12 PM
modified: 3/27/2007 at 3:13 PM

I don't know specifically what would work if you are already injured, but I do general things like squats, plié squats, deadlifts, lunges (in addition to arms...don't want to look like a T-Rex with overdeveloped legs and floppy little arms)...pretty light/moderate weight, but lots of reps and different patterns. I'm a big fan of Cathe Friedrich's DVDs and I alternate between several of her workouts. They're not fluffy or girly, either--I HURT after doing her workouts. My favorites are her Muscle Max, Power Hour, and Maximum Intensity Strength workouts. The Timesaver DVD is nice, too (good for mixing and matching). Her website is HERE. I know that she's a runner, too, which just adds credibility to what she does. k

Getting the wind knocked out of you is the only way to

remind your lungs how much they like the taste of air.

~ Sarah Kay

JakeKnight

posted: 3/27/2007 at 3:35 PM

Not giving you advice, but you may want to do some research on all that stretching. From what I've read, depending on how you're doing it, stretching might be the worst of all possible options. Aside from playing with spiders in New Zealand. Or hanging out with the guy that watches his waste decompose. Okay, stretching might be third worst. The semi-serious point: I'd at least consult an expert before you stretch an injury. I'd guess that among most runners, injuries from improper stretching rank up there with injuries from improper speed work.

E-mail: eric.fuller.mail@gmail.com
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jEfFgObLuE

I've got a fever...

posted: 3/27/2007 at 3:51 PM

Quote from JakeKnight on 3/27/2007 at 3:35 PM:

The semi-serious point: I'd at least consult an expert before you stretch an injury. I'd guess that among most runners, injuries from improper stretching rank up there with injuries from improper speed work.

Good point. I've had hamstring problems for more than 10 years, so it's probably about time I saw a sports-med specialist and/or physical therapist about them. Your comment about stretching made me think: I probably wasn't doing myself any good just hanging around the house last night and trying to stretch a cold muscle. I'm probably ok doing some light stretching, since I feel that the hammy is very tight, but not strained/pulled. But doing stretching on a cold tight muscle -- very bad indeed.

On your deathbed, you won't wish that you'd spent more time at the office. But you will wish that you'd spent more time running. Because if you had, you wouldn't be on your deathbed.

Trent

Good Bad & The Monkey

posted: 3/27/2007 at 4:00 PM
modified: 3/27/2007 at 4:00 PM

I have been dealing with a left hammie pull since September. It hurts. Whatever. I'm a nutjob. Ran three marathons on it. It still hurts. Whatever. Had a great 60 mile week last week. And a fast (for me) mile. Did I mention that my hammie hurts and it has been like six months? Heck, I even have good shoes. Maybe it is a femoral stress fracture. Whatever. It hurts. I run.

I'm running somewhere tomorrow. It's going to be beautiful. I can't wait.

Poor baby

XanaduStone

posted: 3/27/2007 at 4:11 PM
modified: 3/27/2007 at 4:13 PM

I'm a vet of many hamstring strains. If you can walk, it's not a pull, it's just a strain. Sounds like it's time for you to hit the bike - probably moderate hamstring strain. When you massage it can you feel a knot? Or is it just sore? Is it in the middle of the muscle or where it connects in the back of the knee? My advice - Hit the bike for a few days, see if it improves. 2 ibuprofen once every 4-6 hours for 3-4 days. Like Jake said, only stretch VERY lightly, don't try to go deep or long. A better choice is to massage it before and after. My recommendations is one of the massage sticks or foam rollers . I personally prefer the foam rollers though the massage sticks are very good too and get to more places.

jEfFgObLuE

I've got a fever...

posted: 3/27/2007 at 4:17 PM

Quote from Trent on 3/27/2007 at 4:00 PM:

Whatever. It hurts. I run.

Well, I've been there. I understand that mentality. However, I've had it hurt for a long time and that was no big deal. But tight, sore hurt is one thing. That I can live with. Stabbing pain hurt, along with a big bruise -- that's pain I can live without, and that's what I feel like I'm on the verge of. And having pulled both hamstrings multiple times over the years, by now I'm a pretty good judge of imminent disaster in this department (though sadly, not at the right times before). Frankly, if I get it to the point where it's a dull throb that I can do speedwork through it and race through it, I'll be happy. But right now, I'm definitely going to have to change things up before I can even dream about speedwork. Cheers, Jeff

On your deathbed, you won't wish that you'd spent more time at the office. But you will wish that you'd spent more time running. Because if you had, you wouldn't be on your deathbed.

jEfFgObLuE

I've got a fever...

posted: 3/27/2007 at 4:22 PM

Quote from XanaduStone on 3/27/2007 at 4:11 PM:

I'm a vet of many hamstring strains. If you can walk, it's not a pull, it's just a strain. Sounds like it's time for you to hit the bike - probably moderate hamstring strain. When you massage it can you feel a knot? Or is it just sore? Is it in the middle of the muscle or where it connects in the back of the knee?

It's definitely not a pull. I know those all to well. It's either a strain or a strain/pull lying in wait (just waiting to pounce when the speed picks ups). I have tightness/soreness both mid leg as well as at the knee (both areas have been previously injured years ago). No discernible knot. Would getting a "deep-tissue" massage be a good idea? Thanks, Jeff

On your deathbed, you won't wish that you'd spent more time at the office. But you will wish that you'd spent more time running. Because if you had, you wouldn't be on your deathbed.

diddidit

Team HTFU NCTR Driver

posted: 3/27/2007 at 8:17 PM

Bike. Duh! Big grin

Actually, with the limited range of ham motion, and the power being generated primarily by your quads and glutes, it's pretty ideal. did

mikeymike

posted: 3/27/2007 at 9:08 PM

Since I never want to pass up an opportunity to extol the virtues of strides, I'll add that one of the benefits is they keep your hamstrings strong and supple. Though strides are more preventative than treatment. Not sure what to offer right now.

Runners run

jEfFgObLuE

I've got a fever...

posted: 3/28/2007 at 8:08 AM

Quote from diddidit on 3/27/2007 at 8:17 PM:

Bike. Duh! Actually, with the limited range of ham motion, and the power being generated primarily by your quads and glutes, it's pretty ideal.

Yeah, I see some biking in my near future. Only problem is that I the last thing I need right now is a quad-centric exercise, since half my problem is the fact that my quads are so much stronger than my hammies. Can you sort of fool yourself into making biking work your hammies more by concentrating on pulling up rather than pushing down?

On your deathbed, you won't wish that you'd spent more time at the office. But you will wish that you'd spent more time running. Because if you had, you wouldn't be on your deathbed.

Mississippi

posted: 3/28/2007 at 8:13 AM

Not much to say except the one hamstring pain I had was from improper stretching. I stretched way too hard (I was in a hurry) without being warmed up (before a soccer game). That was a nice two week lingering pain. But it went away and I learned a lesson...

Michelle

jsobo119

posted: 11/3/2008 at 12:35 PM

Quote from XanaduStone on 3/27/2007 at 4:11 PM:

I'm a vet of many hamstring strains. If you can walk, it's not a pull, it's just a strain... When you massage it can you feel a knot? Or is it just sore? Is it in the middle of the muscle or where it connects in the back of the knee?

Ok... I never saw a follow up to that... If it is a knot... what to do... ? massage ?

Hamstring disaster has struck! (Read 1382 times)