I keep pulling my quads?

Question

This has been going on ever since I stopped doing leg extensions. I'm going to start those back up to get my quads stronger, but I thought that may have been the problem since I used to work my quads much more than my hamstrings.

I can jog for over a mile with no problem, but when I start to sprint, then I die!

Any advice?

Answer 1

Its probably that you are not well conditioned. Running a mile is a cake walk compared to sprinting and playing lacrosse for 4 hours a day. Try calisthenics before you run and lift light weight to build strenght in your legs.

Answer 2

There is nothing wrong with stretching before you run. In fact it is a good idea. Some types of stretching are better but any kind is better than none at all. Before you stretch you should do an easy jog just to get your muscles moving (1 or 2 laps on the track is good enough) Than do your regular static stretches and than do some running drills (high knees, butt kicks, lunges, bounding, etc) Than get into your workout, I wouldn't start off sprinting at 100%, start of at maybe 75% than go to 85% than up to 100%. Give your body a chance.

Injuries especially in the thighs are very difficult to get a good judgement of where they are at in the recovery process. You could feel fine for a few days than decide to go running and wham it hurts really bad, and you have to start back at ground zero.

Sprinting is a lot harder on your body than for say running a mile ( I wouldn't say it is a cake walk though) you have to pick up your knees higher when you are sprinting and that takes a lot more out of your quads than you would think. You are right about the leg extensions. Start doing them again, they are a great way to strengthen your quads. I don't know if you know this but when you are doing the leg lifts you point your toes straight up, than as you are doing the sets also point your toes out, than in. You have different quad muscles and by turning your toes out, in, and straight up you are working the full range of you quads.

I would say if you try the above stuff and it doesn't work I would go to the doctor in 2 or 3 weeks. Good luck and I hope this helps.

Answer 3

stretch a lot ..

Answer 4

stretch alot before you run...but you seem like someone who already knows that. drink lots of water as well. bananas for some reason also work.

i have the same problem sometimes.