I tried typing different things into the search facility to get an answer to this, but I had no success. I have had a few hamstring problems since Christmas, and my first race was due to be on May 7th. In mid-January I pulled my left hamstring which kept me out for about 3 weeks. Then I had about 2 weeks where I could train fine, then it pulled again. I was out for about 4 weeks this time. Then I had a week where I could train fine again, but then my right hamstring pulled, which kept me out for 10 days. Then just as that fully recovered I suffered a bruised bone in my left knee. That took me uptil a week ago. I have been in full training this week, and I feel healthy. After the first couple of track sessions, my hamstrings felt tight, but I have been icing them, stretching them a lot and had massage.
I am unsure whether I should race this coming weekend now. Training has been fine for the last week, but it will only be 2 weeks of full training before the competition. What I am considering doing is running in a relay meet on May 10th, and delaying my 1st individual race till May 21st. Thoughts? Anyone have similar past experiences, and so can offer advice? Thanks guys.
OK, maybe I’ll do that then, just ease back into competition a little more slowly. I’m not entirely sure what has causd the problems. Regarding the left hamstring, the physio said it was tightness in my lower back, hips and glute down the left side, and the hamsring was kind of ‘overloaded’ workwise. I would guess after it recovered the first time, I did too much quick stuff too soon. The right hamstring however, I’m not sure. It was a minor pull, I have been having regular massage on both recently to try and make sure all the collagen is running in the right direction. Thanks for the advice.
Yeh it never seems to be in exactly the same place when I get the problems. I have been a lot more thorough recently in stretching my hips and back out each day. I have been doing more ab and core work, hopefully strengthening up that area.
When you can go 100% in practice for at least a full weeks worth of work, then you are ready to compete again. Remember that when you compete, your adrenaline is flowing and in general your body is more psyched up to run and you will usually exceed your practice intensity. So…if you aren’t going 100% in practice, you will be risking further injury when you go 105% in a competition.
as i understand it, when u have a muscle injury, you get collagen or scar tissue. It sets in a random criss cross kinda fashion causing tightness. If there is tightness there, then the rest of that muscle is vulnerable. In order to alleviate the tightness, massage can get the scar tissue running parallel to the muscle fibres. Not sure how scientifically accurate that is however. I have been going 100% in training my last 2 track sessions, Wednesday and today. My left hamstring feels slightly tight at the very top near the insertion of the glute. It is very medial though, almost feels like and adductor. Any suggestions? I am stretching as we speak really. Should I see the physio??
If it is muscle tightness and that is all, then go see the masseur. If you think there is something wrong, then go see the physio to get it diagnosed. It could be that your hip has rotated on that side. Does it get worse with practice or is it loosening up as time goes along?
practice seems to loosen it a little. I trained today and warmed it up thoroughly and it felt ok during training. After I finished, I stretched it off some more and it felt fine. I got home, had a contrast shower and it felt ok, but it’s tightened up a bit now. I’m still stretching, but I’m struggling to find a stretch that targets it well. I don’t know that there’s anything wrong, but I am very cautious at the moment cos of past problems. What do you think?
ok, worth noting. I’ll stretch the hamstrings and groin, and back, and abs, and glutes. Anything I missed? If this doesn’t loosen it, would you recommend physio or massage?
cool thanks. I have booked a massage for tonight. Hopefully they should get it sorted. I have done weights this morning, and I did straight leg deadlift and felt ok. I did some quickish tempo runs after over about 60m and it’s not a problem during that. I must have finished that about 45 minutes ago, but now it feels a little tight and uncomfortable again.
well i had a massage tonight, my left glute was apparently tighter than my right, as was that side of my back. In the hamstring/adductor, she couldn’t find any tightness where I have been feel the tenderness. It seems a little looser for it. I’ll keep you posted. Fingers crossed though!
It would appear he was yeh. It still feels a little tight today, and I’m training tonight. I am meant to be doing 150, 100, 100, 150, but I might replace it with a tempo session and do that session on Friday. I’ll warm up and see how I feel.
Ok, I have decided I will book a physiotherapy appointment. Mainly out of precaution. It is feeling tender, and I have had so many problems, that Idon’t want to risk anymore.