Hallelujah Summer Is Here

Tuesday December 1, 2009
First day of summer and…….

“Now I've got blues
And I’ve got blues
Let's get acquainted and lose those blues
Let's go
Times a wastin”

What to do? After 3 months off from regular running my hamstring is still painful - a pain in the bum. Not after a run but after sitting especially a day in the office followed by the drive home – crippling. But strangely, the doc advised NO RUNNING or any other weight bearing exercises due to hamstring tendinosis – degeneration of the hamstring tendon - which I have had for some time - but compounded by a tear in the hamstring tendon. I recon the tear was done in late July and I managed to run Trailwalker with it so why stop weight bearing exercises now? So I managed a sneak peak of the Great North Walk 100 mile race by pacing a runner. Sooo great to be back on the trail - running through the night, seeing the sunrise, mist on the water and the mighty Mooney Mooney bridge from another perspective. Magic...but not sure it was wise. Am I being foolish to ignore doctors’ advice? Part of me thinks yes and a part of me tells me to go by how I feel.

In anticipation of a speedy recovery I have entered the Six Foot Track Marathon in the hope that I will be ready in time. Last Thursday I had the platelet rich plasma injection into the hamstring tendon to speed up the healing of the tear. This is supposed to be the latest treatment for injury and degenerative conditions of the tendon. The injection felt like being hit by a baseball bat on the back of the legs – but the doctor promised, it has to get worse before it can get better. I am continuing with postural activation exercises for core strength, eccentric hamstring loading to strengthen the tendon and spin and swimming for aerobic fitness. Now just being patient and not doing anything stupid like running too soon.