I know that I should really attempt to strengthen it, but I've always been nervous about lifting weights with it as it doesn't take much to pull it. I know that lifting weights would probably help and my intention is to put some more effort into this in the coming months.
Anyway, the left hamstring has been tight for a number of weeks and I think I pushed it to the edge with some of the hill training (did a few big hills on consecutive days - lesson learnt) I did in the run up to the half-marathon.
I think it is firmly in the 'overuse' injury category, what I mean is that there was no sudden pain or any sensation of anything tearing. It just gradually started to tighten up. I first noticed this happening while running uphill during some training runs.
I'd definitely classify it as stage 1 (just like last time), basically it's not too bad. Most days I feel like I could go out and run. However I have been very good and avoided doing so.... apart from last weekend when I raced at Riddlesdown parkrun (RDp15) (bad 7t). In retrospect that wasn't the cleverest thing I've ever done because it has pushed my recovery back a few days.
I haven't done a full run since that parkrun, I did pop out on Sunday morning to see how the hamstring was but that was just 2km so doesn't really count. Since then I have been resting.
As people that follow me on twitter ( @copy7t ) will know, I have been icing it daily (using various types of frozen vegetables).
During the last couple of days I have been back on the trusty ol' foam roller and it feels good (I hope I'm doing the right thing here).
I am going to head out for a parkrun on Saturday, I'll be running an easy pace and I'm mostly using it as an opportunity to assess where I am with the recovery.
I was scheduled to race on Sunday in the Dartford Bridge 10k, but I seriously doubt that I'll be anywhere near Dartford on Sunday morning. In fact it is quite convenient because I get to stay at home and watch the Formula 1 instead.
Every cloud..
