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September 28, 2007
Hamstring Check-In
So my hamstring is...well...maybe status quo? I'm not really sure. Here's the thing - it's a tricky injury. Doesn't hurt when I'm walking. Doesn't hurt running up or down steps. Doesn't hurt cycling or doing hamstring curls (for goodness sakes!). But try balancing on one leg to get a pair of shorts on and MAJOR OUCH! Yeah - weird.
But I think it's feeling marginally better. It's hard to tell because I've been avoiding the activities (aka running) that make it hurt in an effort to help it heal. Definitely doesn't hurt on the bike (thank God). I can usually feel it the first 2000 yds of a swim workout but it's a vague sort of ache that eventually goes away. Water running doesn't seem to bother it either except for the occasional twinge.
Several days ago I remembered that I had this injury before. It was in the winter of 2005 when I was training for the Boston Marathon. I went back and read old blog entries from that time and realized it was the exact same thing. Hard to pinpoint and hard to explain what the pain felt like. I was glad to read about it again in that I remembered how (when I finally went to see the doctor and ART guy) it was basically a weak hamstring that was causing all the problems. I'm assuming I have the same problem (same leg of course) and so restarting those strengthening exercises that I probably should have been doing all along would be a good idea. I was sort of sad to see though that last time it took the injury almost 2.5 months to heal. Geez. I don't have 2.5 months.
Having said that though, I realize that every injury is different (even if it's the same) and there is no telling what might happen. What I have convinced myself of though is that the pain isn't so bad that I couldn't get through 13.1 miles on it. And that means I will be in Clearwater on November 10th. Even if I don't run prior to, I feel like I could make due with water running until then (and of course my swimming/cycling workout are coming along fine).
I am going to try a little running tomorrow just to see where we are at. I have a swim in the morning followed by a long ride and then a transition run. My hamstring feels the best right after I get off the bike so when better to try a run? If it hurts I will stop but I just want to get a feel for if it's worse, better or the same.
What I'm not going to do is run the 10K I had planned on Sunday. Duh. Sort of disappointing because I was looking forward to it but I'm not heartbroken about it. Road races are a dime a dozen. Half IM championship races are not. Instead I will get a chance to be O's equipment manager on Sunday because he is running! I am really looking forward to seeing how well he runs because he is in some seriously good shape. The other day he had to pace some kids on his CC team through a 2 mile on the track at 11:15 and he did it no problem. 5:37 pace is nothing to sneeze at.
So that's the update! The update for today's workouts include a 3500 yd swim in the morning that was hard and fast. I was pleased with how it went. Then to the weight room for a lift and then home for a 1 hour easy ride on the trainer. I also went to the chiropractor today and he did a number on me! He seems to be in awe of the fact that every time I come in my pelvis is not where he put it in the previous appointment. That darn thing moves around a bit too much! Probably why I have had my fair share of injuries through the years...
Posted by beth at September 28, 2007 4:59 PM