Injured hamstring

Triathlon Forum
1

Early last season I did two road races on one weekend back to back. Saturdays race was long and hot, and after the race I was dehydrated. I took in as many fluids as possible so I can race again the following day. The next day I lined up for race number two, and coming into the finish I started to sprint and at that point my left hamstring cramped up. In a stupid move, I sat down for a second, then started to sprint again and thats when my hamstring cramped up tight.

After the race and for weeks later, my hamstring was really sore. I could ride steady and do 5+ mile runs at an easy tempo w/o issues. Fast forward a couple of months when I started training for a couple of triathlons. Everything in training went well, but on race day, coming out of the 1 mile ocean swim, my left hamstring cramped up so tight that I fell over in the surf and limped to the transition.

I’ve taken it easy all off season trying to let my hamstring heal. Last week we did a long road ride and made sure to drink at least one bottle every hour. 3hrs into the ride, my hammy started to twitch, then it cramped.

Prior to this past season, I never had problems w/ my left hamstring cramping. I’m guessing I must have strained it pretty good or possibly micro tears. I’ve been stretching 3-4 times per week focusin a lot on the hamstrings. I’ve gone to a masseuse for leg massages, and I massage it 3 times per week.

Are there any recommendations to speed the healing of the hamstring? I’m thinking of getting a muscle stimulator to help. Any input or recommendations would be appreciated.

Sorry for being so long…

Thanks

2

I’ve had some hamstring injuries. My chiropractor uses dry needles, which really helps speed healing up. He also used E-stim and laser. After a tear a few years ago, he had me running again in 2 weeks - not fast, but enough to do a race. I had 3 tears in December and it has taken a little longer. In the meantime, I found out my hamstrings are very weak in relation to my quads. If you’ve been babying your hamstrings, they could have weakened, too. I’m hard at working doing physical therapy to strengthen the hamstrings and only running 2 miles, 3x per week. According to what I have researched, hamstrings should be about 67 - 75% as strong as the quads. Mine are about 50%, so until I get them to about 70%, I plan to keep it short and work on run technique, as well. Sports doc says to work on cadence and landing the foot under the hips - it appears I’m a heel striker. I’ve also noticed that if I start doing hill work on the bike, my hamstring starts to hurt, probably the quad tightening. So, I’m keeping the bike in the high cadence mode. I push resistance until I start to feel it in the hammy and back off a bit. PT also has me doing hamstring, quad, calf and hip stretches to work the whole complex.

I share your pain. Good luck and if you learn anything good, I’d love to hear about it.