Marathon is less than 20 weeks away. Time to start training or to decide I can't run it this year. Nothing I've done or not done has made much difference with the high hamstring tendinopathy. It comes and goes. It felt the very worst when I sat around and did nothing for a week while I had the flu. It seems to go away the day after doing leg presses--which hurt like crazy on the first set. I've been doing a lot of strength training and a lot of stationary biking. I'm stronger, a little bit lighter, and a lot less fat. I decided the hamstring pain is there no matter what I do so I might as well try running and see if I can manage it or if it gets a lot worse. I did 30 minutes on the rowing machine. I decided that isn't the best thing to do for the hamstring. Sitting seems to be the very worst thing for it. Then I did 3 miles on the treadmill. I did them at a 10mm pace--which was still easy, but I tried to keep my turnover rate high. My cycling cadence has been 90 so I think I was at that tempo, but I wasn't measuring it. I do know I would slip out of it if I didn't focus on it. It felt good to run, but it got difficult after a couple of miles. I guess there really is no substitute for running. I actually started to stitch a bit towards the end. First run in my new flows. So far, I love them. They are so light. I could feel how my feet were striking much more than in any other shoe I have ever worn. It seemed to help. I need to give them a few more runs to make sure it isn't just because I want to love them. The hamstring hurt a little bit, but the rowing contributed. The ankle was fine--which was very nice. I'm not too excited yet because it was only three miles, but hopefully the strength training will solve the ankle and shin problems. I probably need super advanced physical therapy for the hamstring thing. | 