Sore hamstrings from running? Help?

Question

So I am captain of the cross-country team, and lead daily runs every day to prep for x-c....the only thing is, three weeks into the season, my hams are KILLING me.

I don't think I have torn anything, but they are so tight, walking feels awful. I stretch whenever I get a minute, but my job involves little children and lots of them, so I'm not exactly on my butt alot, you know?

Would it be better to ice? Heat? Massage? Anything that will help. I've already got my Ibuprofen going....all answers appreciated! thanks!

Answer 1

Stretch well and a cold shower after running.  Massage, specifically Thai Yoga massage will help a lot too.

Answer 2

this may hurt but freeze one of those styrofoam cups and fill it with water then masage where evr it hurts for 10 min each day after u work out it worked for shin splints so it should work for that if it doesnt then try just old fashioned cruched ice i a plasic bag but icing always works to some degree. hope i helped oh yea and high five for cc happy running:)

Answer 3

lol you probably are gonna think im a dork but i had the same problem during track season and i bookmarked an article on it...see if it works for you :-)

http://www.sportsinjurybulletin.com/arch...

but if you do decide to ice/heat them, i would suggest heat because if you ice them it will only make them tighter.

Answer 4

streaching during the day when your muscles are not warmed up will not really be helpful. Do a 5 min warm up at the start of your run and then stop to streach them out. Do a longer streach at the end of your run when your hamstrings are the warmest. Heat is better to use, idk if massage would help but it certanly would not hurt. Try to see your trainner at school if you get a chance. Oh, and you probably know this but dont run when you are on painkillers ever unless its for a major race. It will just disgiuse the problem while you run but if you are injured it would make it worse. Good luck!