pulled/tore a muscle today!!! PLEASE HELP!!!!

i have a marathon in 3 weeks!

I pulled a muscle or something today during my run...it's my glut/upper thigh area....it hurt a bit while i was running - after getting off the treadmill i couldn't even walk!

i've been icing it for 15 minute increments every few hours.....

how long do i have to wait before i run again....

oh no! I tore the same muscle a few weeks ago! I feel your pain. You should see a doctor and she/he will be able to tell you how long the recovery should be. I am suppose to run a 12 k tomorrow but I re-injured it Thursday. I tried to push it too fast and it turned out badly for me :(  Good luck!

first of all, don't panic.  Do see a Dr. if you haven't already.  I don't know what your history is with injuries or how many years you have been running, so I am not qualified to really give you advice, but when I strain muscles anywhere (I fell on a shoulder playing softball a few weeks ago and am now just getting back to where I can throw and lift weights again) I typically take Advil or Aleve, drink extra water, pay more attention to getting good nutrition and rest, and I DON'T completely quit using whatever muscle it is -- don't push yourself and make the injury worse, but totally not using the muscle can make things worse too.

For running injuries -- if you've got access you could do deep water running in a pool, you could try elliptical, cycle or walking.  I have found elliptical to be particularly good for working out kinks/stiffness, but it definitely doesn't replace a run.

Good luck -- 3 weeks is ALMOST up to your taper, so you have most of your hard training in already, yes?

hey thanks for the advice...i can't see my family doctor until tuesday....

i was hoping to get back on it running in maybe 4 days?? i'm taking today and tomorrow off of any physical activity and then i was going to see how it is on the elliptical....

i'm a complete idiot...i had a bit of pain the day before yesturday and of course i went running anyway...and then it became much more than painful....

i've been running for a few years and have run a few marathons - but you're right i am in the middle of my final training - i still have one 21 mile run to do though this weekend....maybe i can put it off a few days but i really want to be on my A game.

My usual approach is to lay off running for about 3 days, and then to see how it feels.  If it's still bugging me, I go to the doctor.  While I'm recovering, I use ice and anti-inflammatories.  I would try walking or some other lower impact activity just to keep the muscle working.

If you're still in pain when that long run comes along, keep in mind that missing one long run is not going to destroy your marathon, even if it's the last long run before your taper begins.  Better to play it safe than to risk worsening the injury.  A true muscle tear will take longer than 3 weeks to heal.

Good luck!

sounds good! is there a way to tell if it's a tear as opposed to pull?

Original Post by runner_88:

sounds good! is there a way to tell if it's a tear as opposed to pull?

GO SEE A DOCTOR!

But...generally...how can you tell the difference?  The more severe the damage the more severe the signs, there will be bruising, swelling, redness, and a lot of stiffness.  If the muscle looks fine from the outside, but feels painful it's almost definitely just a pull... if there is a significant amount of bruising and swelling there could be a tear. Your doctor will judge if the muscle is torn by visually examining the area first, if the damage is obvious you may need to go for an X-ray, if the muscle is torn in two you will need surgery to fix it.

If the muscle is just pulled, you can treat it yourself.  Avoid using the muscle in any significant way, ibuprofen or other pain relievers will help. If the pain if too great for over the counter medication your doc could prob write you a prescription.  Eating extra protein will help the muscle build itself back up quicker as well.

 Best of luck!

i pulled a muscle during step class one night it was so sore i couldnt even hardly walk on that night.  I just alternated ice and heat and took ibuprofen and it was better in like 3 days.  I never saw a doctor.  do you stretch really good before you exercise?

Clarice

YAY! the 5 days off was actually AWESOME....today i ran 8.2 miles in 1 hour (13.2 km) .....

faster than my regular time....it was probably good for me

i think i might start taking off a full week once every 2 months - anyone else do this/think it's a good idea?

normally i just take 1 day off of running a week

A lot of endurance training programs follow a 3/1 schedule where you train hard for 3 weeks and then have a recovery week where you still run/bike/whatever, buy for less time. This is a great way to avoid injury as well as ensure that you don't have to fight overtraining symptoms.