Quad injury.. 2nd day of track.. help/advice please...?

Question

Okay I am not athletic but I want to do track this year (for the 1st time, I'm a total beginner and a highschool sophmore) no matter how bad I suck.

But what sucks is that while running the 400 and 100 today (both my times suck big time for these, blah) I definitely pulled something in my left quad? It really hurt my time, I had to almost stop toward the end because my leg stiffened up and hurt BAD while running. I thought it was just the cold weather/shorts I wore today but after I went to the gym and collapsed using the squat machine... with and without added weights..

We're testing our mile runs tomorrow... My thigh hurts like crazy and my legs are like dead.. aah i hate being out of shape... I've been trying to ice it but it's not really doing much..

What the heck I am supposed to do for tomorrow? It's the 2nd day of track and I'm already injured? Obviously I'm out of shape but is there ANY WAY to make this pain in my thigh GO AWAY?

Answer 1

From what you wrote, you definitely pulled a muscle in your left quad. The good news is that recovery is typically fairly quick, so you're very unlikely to be injured for the entire season. The bad news is that you may not want to run on it for a few days to a week. If you can run, make sure that you restrict yourself to easy runs. Definitely, you will not want to compete for at least three weeks, probably more.

I know it is frustrating, but the only way your quads will heal is by resting it and icing it. No more than 15 minutes at a time with about 20-30 minute breaks in-between. Keep your legs elevated. It doesn't go away overnight, so you will have to keep at it for a while. Anti-inflammatories can reduce the pain and inflammations, but I don't recommend that you use them unless you feel you have to.

As for the cause, well, quadriceps pulls are often the result of a strength imbalance between the quadriceps and the hamstring. Such a muscle imbalance is not uncommon among runners (even fit ones), since running tends to work out the hamstrings much more than the quadriceps. The best way to avoid them is to do cross-training for your hamstrings, in addition to quadriceps strengthening exercises.

Also, I noticed that you said that you were running in the cold. One common cause of muscle pulls is dehydration. Typically, people do not drink enough in cool weather because they do not feel thirsty as quickly. This may have been a contributor. Drinking a sports drink well before and during exercise may help.

I know your track experience got off to a very rough start, but you have to trust me that it gets much better with time. Good luck on your recovery.

Answer 2

If the ligament has been injured to in which dancing will injure it much more, then happening a nine-day hike at the same time wearing 33 kilos (15 kg) will do the identical factor (even with out the load, the ligament might nonetheless be positioned underneath immoderate stress). I have no idea in which you are living, however in which I are living forcing kids to do some thing their medical professional says will location them in risk of PERMANENT bodily damage is known as "CHILD ABUSE". Your tuition has already been educated of your damage, and your medical professional's evaluation of what can occur in the event you do this nine-day hike. Talk to a legal professional, NOW. And darlin' to not appear sarcastic or some thing... If you can not bring a fifteen kg load for your again, you ain't robust sufficient to be dancin' -- even with out an injured medial ligament. When I used to be a gentle-foot 12 12 months ancient boy, I would bring 27 kgs (fifty nine.five lb) comfortably, at the same time mountain climbing within the mountains of Colorado (USA), and I weighed approximately fifty two kgs (114.five lb, approx) on the time. It's the leg/again force, no longer the frame weight.

Answer 3

Since you are out of shape, it could be a normal strain, but I wouldn't take a chance since you have not been exercising regularly. I would go to the doctor. If its serious you may be doing more harm by going to practice. You are young, if you don't let your body heal properly, you will regret it later. You should never do something if you feel sharp pains.

In the very least, if it is serious enough, your doctor will prescribe some pain killers to take the edge off.

Answer 4

I have the same thing going on right now two days ago at track we were doing lunges and then the pain started.I have put icy hot,heat pad,and ice on my leg twice and it feels worse I went for a bike ride with my mom she thought it would help but now my knee hurts along with both quads so Ive got a weird limp thing going on.So I feel your pain and your situation.

Answer 5

I know u said icing it didnt work... well keep icing them, elevate them, and massage the place it hurts or is sore. It'll start to feel better, i promise. I know about my legs feeling dead, i too am a sophomore and play JV lacrosse at my highschool and there were plenty of days where my legs felt like that... and i'm IN shape. Anyways hope it works out...