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RICE

Product Review: Aspaeris Pivot Shorts

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When I wrote Monday’s post (on Sunday night) I was anxiously awaiting my run on Monday morning to test my hamstring.  I was hoping all the diligent RICE I did over the weekend would loosen things up and allow me to get some decent runs in this week.  I headed out the door (in shorts!) and…..I felt so. much. better.  To say I was happy and clicking my heels through those 4 miles is an understatement!  My hammie isn’t 100% but it’s getting there.  Phew!

During the blogger meet-up before the Philly Half, Kari gave everyone Aspaeris compression shorts to try out (thanks Kari!).  I’ve never tried compression shorts before…never really had the need for them.  I now regret those words!

Fast forward to after the Philly Half, I was sore and my hamstring was screaming.  I put the shorts on and wore them the rest of the day under my sweatpants.  They felt amazing; I love the support they gave my aching muscles.

I used the compression shorts as part of my RICE therapy all last week.  I even wore them to work yesterday (under my work clothes, of course.  Have you ever looked at yourself wearing Spanx?  That’s what these look like…it’s best to hide them under clothing unless you are built like a supermodel).  They were so comfortable, I forgot I had them on.

These shorts came at the absolute, most perfect time.  They definitely played a role in healing my hamstring.

My only minor complaint would be they are a little roomy in the waist.  I don’t think anything could be done about that because a smaller size would be too small.  They are tight where they should be tight and that’s what counts.

Do you wear compression shorts?  Do you wear them during a run or post-run ?  

I was given Aspaeris compression shorts at no cost; however, the opinions are my own.

If I don't talk about it, it doesn't exist

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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.

Not exactly like that, but close

(via)

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.

It's fake and pre-lit...how's that for lazy?

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!