Last time I wrote about spending some workout time going fast. At least race pace, maybe faster. I used the term intensity a lot and this could be confused with going hard – running or biking uphill, for example. What I meant was getting comfortable moving the body faster. Running, in particular, because the running stride involved so many muscle contractions that must be coordinated perfectly in order to run efficiently. I ended that piece by mentioning the increased risk of injury.
Well, guess what. I did my first hard and fast run on Friday and messed up my right leg. To be honest, the injured parts were there after Hapalua. They were highlighted by my StretchLab session on Monday following the race. I did not run until Friday, and felt fine during that run. It was during the post run stiffening period that my body began to complain.
All weekend the pain has been very small during the day, then getting stronger when I go to bed. There is a hot spot at the top of the glute, one along the inside of my thigh, and one down the outside of my shin. Just strong enough to interfere with sleeping. In bed, along with the pain I feel as though my leg is being stretched. Curling up in a fetal position helps. I suspect tight hip flexors are involved, even though they don’t keep me up at night.
The best treatment for this kind of thing is rest. My return to regular running will have to wait at least a week. I am taking two days off, no training, then some swimming and maybe a little time on the indoor bike.