The “it” in that title is my right hamstring. It’s still pretty tight. So tight that I only ran a whopping 6 miles last week (on Thursday). I was pretty sore after the Philly Half so I didn’t run Monday to Wednesday. When I ran on Thursday my hamstring wasn’t painful, just really tight. I felt it with each stride. I was hoping that it would eventually loosen up but no such luck.
Even though it killed me, I took Friday to Sunday off from running. RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) was the name of the game those days, along with lots of foam rolling (FRICE?).
I would be a liar if I said I wasn’t worried. I’m not in freak out mode yet because I’m not in pain. But, something is making my right hammie feel like a rubber band pulled too tight (overstriding is my guess, despite my attempts to correct it). This has been happening off and on since the Philly RnR Half in September. Thankfully, I’m seeing someone different this week for ART (finally bit the bullet and scheduled an appointment with a PT; I didn’t feel like the chiropractor was helping me). I’m hoping we can devise a plan to nip this in the bud. Boston training starts 5 weeks from today and I need to get my base back to where it was 3 weeks ago.
Funny thing is I took a yoga class yesterday and was fine. From my description you would think I could barely touch my toes. Just the opposite was true.
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Enough with the Debbie Downer stuff…I didn’t sulk the entire weekend! I was quite productive: a little (online) shopping, decorated the house for Christmas, figured out my training plan for Boston, etc. I have a lot more time on my hands when I’m not running.
Ever have hamstring troubles?
Do you get a real or fake tree? I find that people have strong feelings on this, which I think is funny. I grew up in a fake tree house, so I guess that’s what I’m used too. A real tree would drive me crazy with all the needles falling everywhere!
I used to have chronic hamstring problems when I was heavily training in martial arts (from kicking). It never stopped me, but it did cause some pain.
I’m a fake tree person. I’m too cheap to waste money on a tree that will just fall apart. I want to use it every year forever.
I have the same type – fake, prelit! I grew up in a fake tree household as well, and we bought this one December 26th super discounted. I desperately want to experience buying a real one someday, but it hasn’t happened yet. I can’t wait to put ours up! No pain is good, and you are being so smart! Better now than during Boston training!
I have occasional hamstring issues and like you, I have good flexibility. I have discovered that focusing on core/ab strength and rolling with a tennis ball help most. I try to do core work about three times per week. Also while running I try to remind myself at every mile to tighten my abdominal muscles. I think this puts my low back/pelvic area into a better position this placing less strain on my hams somehow.
We now have a fake prelit tree which I love. We did the whole go to the tree farm, traipse around to find the perfect tree, chop it down, etc for several years when our son was little and it was fun but the fake tree is easier and less messy’
Thanks Beth! I’m actually starting to strength train this week for that exact reason…I know my core is weak. And I think last weekend at the Philly Half my form suffered since I was tired and my pelvis tilted forward, placing additional strain on my hammie 🙁
ugh, why does it always come back to having a strong core? LOL. My hamstrings are a little tight all the time and I have been wondering as I progress in running if this is gonna be a problem.
Good luck with the strength training–I do not like strength/core training but I force myself to do it!!! I’d much rather just run!
Oh man. The potential injury is the worst. Sounds like you’re doing the right thing with RICE and yoga. Good luck! Stay injury-free for Boston!
We did a real tree when we were little kids, but by the time I was in high school, my mom and dad were sick of the needles and we started getting a fake tree. I also have a little fake tree in my room in NY.
I’ve had left hamstring (well, not sure if its medial most hamstring or adductor magnus) for a long time. The only thing that has helped it ever is SI Joint adjustment, foam rolling, and xtraining.
And, don’t worry, I’ve run 6 miles TOTAL since the NYC Marathon!
Hmm, when I race hard, I feel more achy. My sis and I were just talking about injuries since she has one right now. I remember when I ran that GOTR 5k race with my husband’s niece when I was 38-weeks pregnant. After the race, I was hurting, but I put my brave smile on because I didn’t want people to get worried, especially my in-laws. Basically, I didn’t want to hear the, “You need to take it easy!” I won’t lie to you though. I came home waddling in pain (still trying to put that brave face on because otherwise, my husband would scold me and tell me to be on bed-rest. In fact, he’d tell me I wasn’t allowed to run the 5k the following week with my GOTR team and I knew there was nothing that was going to stop me, well of course unless I went into labor beforehand) and started packing my delivery bag. LOL I was so worried that my water would break. My hamstrings were killing me AND my pelvic area was def in pain. But, Lili was NOT ready to come out.
We have a fake tree too. Pedro is allergic to real trees. Hey, I don’t mind at all. It’s less messy and easier to take care of… I’m terrible at watering plants.
This week I’ve been complaining about my left hamstring constantly. This is pretty unusual for me because if I have anything it is IT issues. I’ve been doing yoga and wearing compression but it still isn’t better. I was supposed to run 10 miles yesterday and ended up running 7 and walking 1.
I grew up with a real tree, though the parents switched to fake a few years ago. I’ve always done fake, so much easier!!
sounds like you’re taking good care of the hamstring though. thats all you can do.
We get a real tree at home (or rather my parent’s house) most years. I think we had a fake tree a few years but I am not sure what happened to it. I think I want to get a small fake tree for my apartment this year.
Hope this ART works better! Massage might actually work better. At least I think it sometimes does for me…
I had serious hamstring woes back in 2009 and I’m always sort of worried it’s going to rear it’s ugly head. I know that sitting at a desk 8-9 hours a day doesn’t help! I’ve found that getting up and walking around every hour or so keeps it loose. I also use a tennis ball to roll it out. Hope you’re feeling back to 100% soon!
Sorry about your hamstring!! I’ve been struggling with something similar since MCM. It doesn’t hurt all the time, but the insane tightness of it causes problems in other areas when I run. I’ve been trying to take it easy and focus on stretching more. Hopefully you are feeling back to normal soon!
My family has always had a real tree and I don’t think I could ever have it any other way. The needles aren’t so bad! And it’s a very small price to pay for the amazing smell. 🙂
I grew up in a fake tree house too! I’ve never actually had a real tree…
Sorry about your hammy! But, you’ve got a long time to nip the problem in the bug and fix it before Boston. I’m learning that for my IT band, a combination of ART and PT is the best bet. But still, booo running injuries.