jbb1791b

I strained my right hamstring nearly two weeks ago. Felt it after a short ride, then further aggravated it playing softball. I've never had this problem before, but sitting upright can actually bring on the pain, yet walking/short-stride running is not bad. My bike (roadie) fits me to a T, so I don't think that's the problem.
Question: is riding at a moderate pace bad for this injury, or is it helping stretch and heal? Any help will be greatly appreciated.

iovnow

Ok no ones hit yet so Ill give it a shot.

Do you do before/after ride stretching? I read somewhere that before riding stretching can actually be damaging to muscles. Supposedly its much better to do stretching after a ride.

My real advise would be to start stretching on your off days. Only takes about 5min or so. Do as much as you want as long as you dont hurt yourself. If your not too sure how to stretch go watch a martial arts class from the beginning (or sign up).

Since this has been going on for 2 weeks Id go talk to a doc.

jbb1791b

"...that before riding stretching can actually be damaging to muscles..."

I read that piece too, in Bicycling mag a few months ago. I think I didn't prepare for the cooler weather we had a few weeks back, since I warm up almost instantly for riding or softball, etc., all summer long. I'll be sure to do the off-day stretching, as well as post-ride. A friend keeps telling me to do yoga (which I hear even helps with asthma). Maybe it's not such a bad idea.
Thanks for the tip.

iovnow

Yoga would be excellent for off days. If it helps with asthma I should check it out myself especially since it gets really hard for me to breath when it gets cool outside.