OUCH!!!

Since my last run, my muscles have been extremely tight. So much so, that I stretched for 20 minutes yesterday just to relieve some of the tension. My left leg had been giving me a lot of trouble. My calf was really tight and my plantar faciitis had been causing me some discomfort. So before my run this morning, I stretched really well, and my shoes really help with the faciitis.

The run started off great. Today was my 2 mile speed training, and I decided to push it pretty hard. Again, my breathing was strained for the first 500 yards or so, but eventually I calmed down and settled in. The first mile went by quickly, 6:32; I was really flying. At about 1.5 miles, I began to feel some tightness in my left hamstring. I was concerned, but I often have little pains while I run that usually go away if I just push through them. That was not the case this time. The hamstring continued to stay tight, but as of yet was not causing any real pain. I came to the last quarter mile and tried to really push the last bit; I wanted to get a sub-13.5 minute 2 mile. When I finally finished, my left leg really tightened up, like it was cramping, but different.

I finished in 13 minutes and 10 seconds. I felt great about the time, but as I was trying to cool down, I found myself limping pretty badly on my left leg. When I got inside I asked Katie to help me stretch it out, but nothing we did seemed to get to the right spot. I struggled with my ab workout, especially since so many of the maneuvers have your legs in the air. I didn't even do the rest of my strength workout. And the leg is still giving me a significant amount of trouble.

I am freaking out. I have never injured a hamstring, but I understand that they are difficult to recover from. I got a icy hot patch on it right now, I am going to buy an ace bandage this afternoon, and I plan to rotate ice and heat this evening. I think I am going to take tomorrow off from biking to give the leg another day of rest. I had upped my running workouts because I thought I might be running a leg in the marathon relay on Saturday. Originally I was disappointed that did not work out, but I have to admit I am thankful not to be doing that now. I question what I should do on Saturday; I am sure I will simply listen to my body, but I don't want to lose the momentum I have been gaining as far as distance and speeds are concerned.

I am beginning to wonder if I have some weird tendon/ligament disorder. I have had tendonitis in my right arm for almost 3 years. It runs from my wrist to my shoulder. I went to physical therapy for several months, but never really saw any relief. Then it was the faciitis (I had that bad enough a year ago, I thought I had broken my foot), and now the leg. Maybe I should start doing more yoga, but I feel like I spend a lot of time stretching already.

Until then I'll just have to keep stretching and treating with heat and ice. If anyone has any other suggestions, please let me know!