Hamstring woes…
.. I am not sure if I pulled my left hamstring or what but the muscle has been getting "bunched up" on me for a while now in both legs…kinda feels like there are balls on the back of my legs at times after working out…but it hasn’t been so bad that it made me cut back on any lifting or cardio..until a couple days ago…I was trying to increase my running speed on the treadmill and it was going well until I felt a pinch from the back of my left leg to the side of my knee that jolted me while running…it startled me but I could keep running so I did, and after that I felt a little teeny bit of discomfort right behind my knee but when I slowed down a little it seemed to be fine…until the next day, I was able to walk on the treadmill for 45 mins at level 9 with no discomfort (AM), and later on I ran (PM)and that’s when the pinching incident happened again, only this time it was a little more painful…but I could still run, so I did…
..I went to lift weights and was planning on running some more after, but my left hamstring had stiffened up on me, so I decided it wasn’t a good idea…I went home and iced the hamstring and noticed my knee was a little swollen too :0…I’ve never pulled a hamstring and I hear that once you do it, the chances of injuring it down the road increase…well, I guess I had it coming…I’ve been warned that I should stretch my legs after workouts…but rarely do…to me that’s like flossing my teeth…eh, I brush ‘em good enough….lol
…As for now I am taking it easy for a few days, icing it and no leg workouts and no cardio…I am hoping it doesn’t take 2 to 6 weeks to heal like what I have read…pray for me please 
May 31, 2009 at 2:10 pm
I dont think u pulled your hamstring. It sounds like u might be over doing it. Like u said no cardio or leg work 4 a little while. Maybe longer that u would like. Play it by feel, listen to your body. Do the stretching & ice. When i pulled my hammi it popped, i felt it & heard it. It did take a good 6 wks to heal. Good luck to u & take it slow. Bob
May 31, 2009 at 2:17 pm
I know somewhat how you feel. I did the same thing about 2 1/2 years ago. It puzzled me because it would only hurt on the tredmil (when I flexed my foot alot I guess) It was more like a sharp and burning at the same time for me though. When I would do deadlifts though it wouldnt get nearly as irritated. I finally pushed it so much that I went to a doctor (friend of mine) visit. He said I didnt tear it or anything but I might have pulled it a bit. It still bothers me from time to time and when it does, I can lay on my back and put my let straight up in the air and feel a knot on the back of my leg (about mid way between my rear and the bend of my knee). All I can say is take it easy and definately see a doctor (not a friend doc,) I’m thinking about getting a second opinion.! I hope it feels better soon.
June 1, 2009 at 1:51 pm
I hate stretching too, but I’ve found stretching my hamstrings really helps my lower back… Just a thought…
June 1, 2009 at 1:54 pm
Oh man, that sucks!!! I definitely think that if you rest it for a few days to a week and don’t find it has gotten a lot better you could think about seeing a doc…. I’ve had trouble like that before and after a little rest and a LOT of stretching it went away…. but you never know. make sure to take Ibuprofen as well… to keep the swelling down so it can heal.
June 1, 2009 at 2:33 pm
thanks, everyone..I rested it the last couple days and iced it, and to my surprise it is MUCH better today vs the past couple days, it’s a dramatic difference actually…I hope that means I can go back to cardio the end of the week! I think I’m going thru withdrawal…