Hamstring Treatment - Day 20

Skated in Lucan for 10 minutes.

Ran for 4 kilometres with Brian at an average speed of 6 minutes per kilometre (10 minute miles) -- which felt about the same as the treadmill run last night. It felt good to be running outdoors for the first time in almost 3 weeks! Hamstring felt quite stiff at the beginning of the run, but loosened up by the end of the run.

I didn't ride tonight.

Coach Brian suggested taking Thursday off of running or skating, and to ramp the running mileage (but not the pace) up slowly, henceforth. Specifically, Coach said:

a) Work on miles, not pace.

b) Work on the quality of the gait (feet straight, striking the ground properly on both sides) to ensure the muscles are repairing properly.

c) Work on getting the weekly mileage up to 20 miles without pain before I start to work on improving the pace.

Hamstring Treatment - Day 19

Skated for 15 minutes in Exeter. I don't have anything that resembles a quick take-off, but I was able to skate and stop without any issues.

I rode and Gamble over a combination of verticals -- single stride in between. Took it up to 3'6" and was able to do it cleanly with no rushing.

Ran on the treadmill for 2 miles -- bumped it up to 11 minute miles -- but couldn't get it faster without feeling like it would hurt. No significant stiffness the next day.

Hamstring Treatment - Day 18

Rode Gamble over small verticals (2 strides between) - 3' max. I rode Rapport for 12 minutes at a canter. No issues.

I saw Physiotherapist Craig Irwin at the Lions meeting tonight. He gave me clearance to start running and skating -- as long as I watched it closely, particularly the morning after.

I ran 1 mile on the treadmill slowwwwwwly (12 minutes/mile). I was tight, but got through it. No difference in stiffness the next morning. YAY!

Hamstring Treatment - Day 17

Rode Gamble over a single vertical fence -- took it up to 3'. A bit of a tweak in my leg over the fence, but nothing serious. Felt great to be jumping again!

Hamstring Treatment - Day 16

No riding today. But I helped out with the Lucan Santa Claus Parade including walking for about a mile beside the Lions' floats. I also did about 200 m. of jogging to and from my car to get something for the float. Still feel tight, but it felt good to be moving!

Hamstring Treatment - Day 15

Rode Gamble on a hack and went through Rapport's Water Park. A couple of tweaks in the leg along the ride, but otherwise uneventful.

Hamstring Treatment - Day 14

Rode Gamble and cantered for 10 minutes. No probs -- other than a stumble by Gamble which caused a temporary minor injury to me -- not in my legs, though. I was able to talk normally in 2 minutes or so after the stumble.

Physiotherapist Craig came over and gave me a printout of the exercise I should be doing. He did more ultrasound plus lots of intense massage of the leg.

I'm starting to think that the riding could actually be helping me. Its not generally weight bearing, but it does get me using quite a range of motion and different muscles -- particularly when doing a posting trot.

2 weeks after the injury and I'm feeling quite good. Still tight in my hamstring, but I'm now walking without a limp.