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Michelle K.
Michelle K. Sendmail

Pain in upper hamstring/glute when running? No idea what it is.

posted 5 months ago | Report

Ok so I ran a half marathon December 4 th and everything went well enough with some soreness and fatigue after the race, all of which I thougt was normal. but after about a week and a half off I went on a short run and noticed a pain in my left hamstring/glute. It's hard to ok pinpoint where exactly it is but it seems to be almost directly under my glute (yes butt!) and almost in my joint. It only bothers me when I'm running. When I stop it seems fine. It's bothersome enough tk keep me from logging more miles.

Has anyone else had this or have any ideas? Any and all appreciated. Thanks!

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  • Kris B.
    Kris B. Sendmail

    I've had similar pain, and I also have no idea what it is or what causes it. I think it is at least partly due to weak hamstrings in relation to my quads, so when I strengthen my hams (most leg curls on a bench or with swiss ball) it seems to go away, at least for a while. Also, my left groin (the side with the pain) is a lot tighter than the right, so I do a single leg groin stretch (sit on floor, left leg straight, right leg in triangle with heel facing knee) this seems to help a lot too. Finally, I get a large ball or foam roller and roll the area. These are the 3 things I do, and the pain occurs a lot less frequently. Good luck, if you find anything else that works let me know.

    posted 5 months ago

  • Michelle K.
    Michelle K. Sendmail
    in reply to what Kris B. said:I've had similar pain, and I also have no idea what it is or what causes it. I think it is at least partly due to weak hamstrings in relation to my quads, so when I strengthen my hams (most leg curls on a bench or with swiss ball) it seems to go a... read more

    Thanks Kris, I've been really slacking on strength training for a while, so that could be it. I'll try the stretches too!

    posted 5 months ago

  • Colleen
    Colleen Sendmail

    I pulled my adductor after two back-to-back 1/2s in Oct and had pain the exact same spot as you described. It was the worst, most inhibiting injury of my life. I couldn't run for 7 wks and was miserable. I did A LOT of crosstraining and popped lots of ibuprofen. I also kept my injured area wrapped tightly and that helped tremendously. Do you think that you may have a slight tear?

    posted 5 months ago

  • Denny H.
    Denny H. Sendmail
    in reply to what Michelle K. said:Thanks Kris, I've been really slacking on strength training for a while, so that could be it. I'll try the stretches too!

    I had that problem last year training for a marathon. It turned out to be an IT band issue. I had to reduce mileage and I tried a foam roller but found that certain stretches worked better. Haven't had an issue since. Look up ITBS stretches or IT band stretches on YouTube. Hope it helps!

    Mine was related to increased mileage with a weak core, so I had to focus on getting my core to where it could withstand the extra demand of increased mileage. I noticed that it started after I consistently started running over 12 miles, so I concentrated on strength training and focusing on my posture and form while running, in addition to those specific stretches. Worked like a champ!

    Good Luck!

    posted 5 months ago

  • Gil R.
    Gil R. Sendmail

    Michelle, I'm a PT. If regular 30-60 second hamstring, ITB and piriformis stretches don't take care of that pain after a few weeks, try slow-eccentric leg raises on your stomach and right side. Lower your leg slowly with a 4-count, then raise it with a 1-2 count. You can try elastic loop around your knees for resistance if not painful. With elastic loop, you can also do slow-eccentric hip abduction on your back with knees bent. Progress as pain allows to 3 sets of 15, twice daily. It might take several weeks to work, but it may resolve what sounds like tendonopathy. Good luck, Gil.

    posted 5 months ago

  • Bine
    Bine Sendmail

    I been having the same pain in my right leg but additionally it also hurts in the back of my knee the same time. I did notice at my yoga practice that I am not able to strectch my right leg the same as myleft leg. I don't feel it during my run too bad but strangly more when I sit in my office chair all day.

    posted 4 months ago

  • Tin
    Tin Sendmail

    Ah ha!! Thanks guys! I have been experiencing pain in these areas that I think is getting worse over the past 90d (& yes I have been logging more running miles in the past month---but I also was doing Insanity) let raises on my stomach is EXCRUCIATING when it's flared up. . . . I've been taking ice baths & tying in more yoga (yes my hips are tight. . ) Here's my question: To run or not to run?? I've toned down my past two runs b/c it HURT & I didn't want to make it worse. I do triathlons & am doing a Run 70 in March so I don't want to totally quit. . . . but. . . .

    posted 2 months ago

  • Jennie M.
    Jennie M. Sendmail

    Hi Michelle and other with painful butts.....

    I have the similar to others... I figure its my Piriformis muscle overworking due to weak hamstrings / unstable hips etc... I had to get picked up on Sunday 8 miles into a 13 mile run - totally depressing..

    Now concentrating on the physio exercises and stretching I didnt do a couple months ago when this first threatened. I'm taking this week really easy.. prob only 3 - 4 mile runs and every other day... i usually do 30 - 40 plus miles a week so thats major resting for me.

    Hopefully I can get back to it after that, I have a HM in 4 weeks and want to be fit!! Always open to ideas / suggestions on how best to recover...

    Jennie

    posted 2 months ago

  • Tin
    Tin Sendmail

    What do ya'll find more aggravating to it, causing flare-ups: mondo-hills? Or the high impact of pavement? I usually follow my hill-runs with concrete runs. . . so think it's the hills starting the problem. Lightbulb Moment: in looking back I have really ramped up my running miles the past 3 weeks to up over 10 after several weeks of 0-4. Hmmmm

    posted 2 months ago

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