A New Path
Torn hamstring, podiums and changed plans
I asked my boyfriend Adam Holz how to approach this latest gravel race. He’s a coach and excels at cycling. He suggested I practice getting a bit more aerodynamic by using my drop bars as much of the race as possible.
This latest race scared me because it was short (for me!), flat, and fast. I’m used to thriving in races that shake and wring out runners, or in this case, riders. In ultra-trail running, aerodynamics don’t even register. It’s all about grit, endurance, and durability. A new sport comes with a big learning curve.
With Adam’s advice, a solid month of gravel riding, and nearly 30 years of endurance training under my belt, I landed in 4th place female overall at Grassroots Gravel 50 Miler in my 3rd gravel race (and 2nd podium). Turns out gravel races often have a top-five podium instead of just three like ultras.
This race couldn’t have been more different from Wild Horse Gravel the weekend before. That course was technical with lots of climbing. This one was fast, shorter, and much flatter. Wild Horse had 6,500 feet of climbing over 65 miles. Grassroots had just 1,500 feet over 50 miles.
My biggest mistake was starting too far back. I lined up in the middle of the pack and spent the entire race making up ground, passing well over 100 riders. After the start horn, it took me another 30 to 45 seconds just to reach the timing mats. Lesson learned!
Gravel racing is all about holding a steady threshold effort while tucked into an aerodynamic position for hours. It’s about cadence, powerful surges to stay with groups and take advantage of drafting, and being durable enough to tolerate the discomfort in your butt, shoulders, back, arms, and hands.
Thankfully, this one only lasted 2 hours and 45 minutes.
I haven’t run since I tore my hamstring just a week after this race, on May 30, while joining my friend Sarah for a run. I tripped with my left leg and instinctively threw my right leg forward to catch myself. I stayed upright, but I heard and felt my hamstring POP.
A few days and an MRI later confirmed what I already suspected. After eight months of rehab, PRP, and finally getting both hamstrings pain-free, I tore it again. I was just two months removed from my PRP injections and, for the first time in years, wasn’t feeling pain in either hamstring. It was simply an unlucky trip.
I’m writing this a month later, and I still haven’t run. Running is still a ways off as lifting my leg is painful. But riding is not.
Maybe I just needed an excuse to stop feeling guilty about falling in love with another sport.
Instead, I’m getting ready for my first mountain bike race at over 10,000 feet in Colorado. Racing bikes still scares me. I’m still figuring out how to descend faster, corner better, and trust the bike underneath me. It gives me something new to focus on while running is off the table and maybe, just maybe, it gives me a new path altogether.
Aaaack - torn hamstrings are no fun! I've had two hamstring surgeries, so yes, you can come back.
In the meantime, be like the Hillygoat, and enjoy the ride (literally!). Riding is sooo much easier than running. And so different - ultra races are basically group time trials, while gravel racing is not only strategic, and requires constant vigilance, but you have to have the top end in order to stay on. My first gravel race I began periodically standing up and sprinting only 5mi into it. Much more interesting IMO. Main drawback is can't go into the backcountry on a bike. And I don't think cyclists are as nice as runners.
You're strong - podium is great!
The urge to buy a road bike is getting more & more because the number of issues I have been having with my Tibia has been quite high since I have started running. Now I feel like I should mix my training(running + cycling), more volume would be of cycling. Also, it will be a pretty good way to explore a different kind of activity all together. From the last para, it seems you might be headed to Leadville 100 mile bike race. If it is so, all the best with it. :)
It is way easier said but injuries suck big time. It sucks all of the energy physically, mentally and emotionally. But you transitioning to a different activity will surely lessen it as we endurance athletes thrive on motion in life. The amount of time Hillary Allen has turned to cycling is also a lot I think so. Hope things will get better in some time & you will surely get back to a healthy hamstring.