Hamstring injury, any advice?

[Jayfish]

30 miles into yesterdays's Chase the Sun my right Hamstring started to hurt, by 40 miles I was in agony and downed 2 ibuprofen which lessened the pain after a while; I tried to ride high cadence, low impact on climbs and let the pack over-take and regain time on the flats and descents, where I could pedal without stressing the muscle too much.
I really should have stopped early, but it was a bit of a bucket list event so I pressed on, eventually bailing at 138 miles when I knew there where climbs coming I'd not be able to endure.
Sorry for long story but I've never suffered from hamstring issues before and I'm wondering what's the best recovery/treatment as I have a few big rides approaching.

[WinstonWolf]

Hot day, how was your fluid intake?

[ChrisMCoupe]

Hows your position on the bike, personally it will be my quads and gluts that give out before my hamstring.

For recovery, do you have a foam roller or maybe get yourself a sports massage. They hurt like hell but they work

[Usget]

Jayfish said:

30 miles into yesterdays's Chase the Sun my right Hamstring started to hurt, by 40 miles I was in agony and downed 2 ibuprofen which lessened the pain after a while; I tried to ride high cadence, low impact on climbs and let the pack over-take and regain time on the flats and descents, where I could pedal without stressing the muscle too much.
I really should have stopped early, but it was a bit of a bucket list event so I pressed on, eventually bailing at 138 miles when I knew there where climbs coming I'd not be able to endure.
Sorry for long story but I've never suffered from hamstring issues before and I'm wondering what's the best recovery/treatment as I have a few big rides approaching.

Sorry you suffered chap - I think I saw you at the Pewsey stop at 137 (if you were the guy in a PH jersey) but got distracted by something and didn't come to say hello in the end.

Unfortunately (and I hope someone can contradict me) I've always thought that the only real cure for a hamstring pull was rest and gentle rehab. How long until your next big one?

[Jayfish]

Fluid intake was good, two 750ml bottles on the bike, 1 carbs, 1 electrolyte got through 3 of each.

Had a bike-fit and never had an issue before which is why I'm a bit perplexed.

Lack of warm-up was the issue I think, I went really early on.

@Usget yeah that was me, I was in a Wealden Cycle Club until lunch then switched; what kit were you in and did you make it?

And that was my fear, slow and rest; really limping today. Next big one is 3 weeks, Dunwich Dynamo.
Going to stay off the bike this week and see how it goes.

Despite bailing out that was one of the best days on a bike ever, can't wait to have another crack at it.

Edited by Jayfish on Monday 23 June 13:01

Seen your pics in the other thread, well done

Edited by Jayfish on Monday 23 June 13:11

[sherbertdip]

I pulled my Hamstring in early March running, never been much of a runner but cycle 10-16k miles per year. Mine occurred in a similar fashion though, not a sudden "twang" that you see people sprinting pull up with, just a pain that got worse and worse, until the point that it was agony, and this over only 15 minutes of running

I'm still suffering with it, although i was back on the bike after 2 months, just doing low power circuits keeping the cadence as i as i can although i naturally mash the pedals, and do as few hills as possible.

I went to the doc's who thankfully was interested in sports injuries, he said basically resting, keep the leg as straight as possible for as long as possible, do not do any stretching until the pain has gone, and give it time, but do keep using it.

As of now i would say that i'm 95% fixed but it still aches after sitting in one position, e.g. driving for over an hour.

I'm not going back to running.

[Usget]

Jayfish said:

Lack of warm-up was the issue I think, I went really early on.

Yep. It was pretty cold at the start, and the pace was fairly high (for such a long event, anyway). Plus, a fair bit of standing around followed by a sudden start, meant that any warm-up you might have done would have cooled off. I was in the front group for the first 10, started to get left knee pain which I've never had before. It continued throughout the ride, but I was able to keep it at bay with ibuprofen gel.

It was a truly great ride, as you say, one of the best days on a bike ever. Who knew there were so many great cycling roads across the country? We made it to the finish line with only 9 minutes to spare, which was entirely my fault - we wasted a good 2 hours on mechanicals which plagued me, including four punctures. The last two were the result of an enormous hole just before the lunch halt which also trashed a tyre and bent a rim. So I had to jump in the support car to get to a bike shop (had brought spare tubes but not a spare tyre!) and rejoined our group at the next halt, meaning I skipped 30-odd miles of riding.

I was the idiot you may have seen who got a puncture after ten bloody miles. Ten miles!!