Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Wednesday Workout Update

Ouch.  That pretty much sums up my week so far.  My left hamstring has been tight for a few weeks now, and while I've been stretching it to get some relief, I kept thinking that I should go get a massage and get everything worked out.  Did I do that?  Of course not.  Instead I sat in a car for two days as we drove to Florida, and again for two days as we drove home.  We did stop and walk around several times during the epic drives, but still, that was a lot of sitting. 

Monday morning, I got up and ran my usual two miles with Jeff, and the hamstring never warmed up.  By the time I was done, I was really hurting, especially to sit down...it was radiating up to my buttocks, as Forrest Gump would say.  I stretched it and used the foam roller, but it got progressively more painful.  I finally asked a couple of friends for massage recommendations, and called a woman who my running buddy Jenny uses.  She came out to my house yesterday and really worked me over - one of those "hurts so good" things. 

Before the massage, it hurt to sit.  And walk.  And bend down.  Now, I'm feeling much a little better, but I still don't want to sit for too long.  I've discovered that I can knit while laying on the couch, so I've been catching up with some television shows that I recorded while we were gone.

The sane thing for me to do would be to take a few more rest days, per Dr. Google's recommendation.  I didn't run yesterday, but I'm doing an easy walk this morning, and I'll see how it feels after I run with Erica tomorrow.  I have a 10K race this Saturday, so of course I'll be doing that, but if it seems like it's not getting any better, I'll go see a real doctor next week. 

I have to say that this is pretty ironic considering I just had a full week off from running.  And things that were bothering me, like a touch of shin splints and some knee pain, have gone away.  I'm a little frustrated, but hopeful that the massage and some additional rest will cure this.  I swear, it's always something when it comes to running!

14 comments:

  1. That's annoying and irritating my friend.

    I would say: rest till Saturday. You don't need that run tomorrow, you will be ready Saturday.

    Funny: we both do a 10K on Saturday only you run it and I walk it with Bella :)

    Take it easy!

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    1. If I hadn't already had the week off, I'd be mentally OK with not running tomorrow (before the race on Saturday) - but I've only run once now in the last 11 days, eek!

      Here's hoping we both have good experiences with our 10Ks on Saturday. :)

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    2. You will be fine Saturday, no worries!

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  2. This is exactly where I've been at! My legs feel GREAT since they've been resting, but I still won't let myself run. But you know it's better to keep listening to your body, and keep resting as long as you have pain. My trainer's advice has always been to wait a few more days after you think you're ready, just to avoid re-injuring yourself. But yes, it is always something with running!

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    1. Good advice about waiting a few extra days...but who heeds that??? ;)

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  3. I seem to become more sore when I do walks compared to biking. Maybe the walking around the park got the best of you. I seem to become tired and sore from the uneven speed I have to walk while in a crowded area or the stop and go momentum from casually looking at things. I hope you feel better for your race.

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    1. Interesting - I never thought about all the walking we did at Universal Studios...that could have been another contributor, definitely. Thanks for the good wishes. :)

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  4. Roll, ice, 800 mg. ibuprofen. You've got to get the inflammation to calm down (says the runner who has been dealing with a bad hamstring since Memorial Day). I know, I hate taking the meds too but honestly after taking 3-4 days off and then taking some, I wonder why I don't just suck it up and take them. I completely understand about the sitting - I've been ever so grateful for my stand up desk at work!

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    1. I thought about you with your stand up desk and was wishing for that set up, myself!

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  5. I need to find a massage therapist to come to my house! That is really neat.

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  6. So it's now the "Lay and Knit" diet - love it! Hope a couple more days of rest will do the trick. :D

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  7. Could be a bit of sciatica, too. Definitely take your antiinflammatories. They can make all the difference.

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  8. I hope you are feeling better and that you are back to 100% soon (now would be preferable!!)

    And simply because I can't resist.....with this radiating pain, I guess you can honestly say you are a pain in the butt??? :-). Just teasing.....feel better!!!!

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