2012 Training Day 12: Hamstring Pull

I should have seen it.

It had rained. But I had decided that if it was really bad, I would decide on the pitch. When I reached the pitch, it was bad, but not too bad.

So I warmed up for 2Kms then stretched. On recollection, I did stretch my hamstrings, but maybe I didn't stretch them enough.

I did the first 200m. 38 seconds. Too slow. What is happening? I didn't feel strong. I walked and recovered. Then I gave it another go. 38 seconds. Gosh. Am I overdoing this? Am I over-trained? Why dont I feel strong? Yes the pitch is wet and I have to slow down when taking the two corners but 38s?

It started drizzling. This wasn't working. Should I bag it and go home?

I decided to give it one more try.

After 40 meters, my hamstring pulled. If you dont know how a hamstring pull feels like, thank your God.

So, the massive jolt of pain that accompanies a hamstring pull ate right into my leg like fangs from a huge cat. I braked instantly and knew that the workout was over.

And so I am off for at least four days. If I am lucky I may run again on Tuesday.

What have I learnt?

1. Speed runs weekly may not be good for me. I will be doing them fortnightly from this day forward. Follow each hard week with an easy week. It is during the easy week that you improve.

2. Whereas 200m was good and beneficial and challenging to me, it was tempting me to run too fast (all out) and thereby increasing my chances of getting injured. But it was safer than 100m. So from this day forward, I switch to 400m repeats.

3. My hamstrings are weak(er than my quads) - I need to do something about that.

4. I am fast and I can be very fast. But in order to achieve my potential as a fast marathoner, speed runs are an integral part of my training.

5. Speed runs are fun! They add variety to my training and in fact, I find them to be like strength training. No wonder Wanjiru said you dont need weight training. Speed runs are weight training!

So now I limp, reflect, get wiser, rest and recover. On another note, man, its so good to start training early! Now I am injured but not worried about the setback. No pressure. I back the fuck up as required then I make my move again without any rush. Beautiful shit. I have just wrapped a bandage on it. I would have been hussling myself to ice it, raise it, massage it, get NSAIDs etc. But I am cool and I accept that pain is weakness leaving the body and the one who gets injured is the one who gets healed, stronger and wiser.