Upper leg/hip pain

whizzlers

Hi, I have been able to comfortably run 5k for about 5 years now, but I decided and I wanted to push myself a little further and enter a 10k, however every so often I have a pain that run from the top of my leg when I run and then continues for a couple of days. I walk to cool down and do plenty of stretches after and I do a warm up before I starts, but it still always comes back. Is it due to the fact I have been doing longer distances that my body is used to? any help would be appreciated as I am now covering over 8k, which is a massive achievement for me.
Thank you xx

heysarge13

I've been having the same problem recently. When I was doing slower paced runs it never bothered me, but recently I've been adding speed intervals in. Since starting this I get the pain in my upper hamstrings. So I too am looking for input.

schmenge55

Is the pain in the front, side or back of the leg? Is it in the glute at all?

whizzlers

Its where my hip bone is on the side, it only becomes a problem when I increase my distance and therefore my time. If I just run for about 35 mins, then I dont seem to have any problems.
A couple of people have suggested that its the muscle that runs from the top of your leg down, sorry Iam not sure of the name and it is just simple because it has not been used. I dont want it to stop me running, but at the same time I do not wish to aggrevate it and make it worse as I am really getting into running again.

schmenge55

Could be your IT band although normally IT band issues manifest themselves in the knee. Here are some stretches you could try. If really tight then that does point to IT

http://www.runnersworld.com/injury-treatment/stretching-and-strengthening-exercises-iliotibial-band-syndrome?page=single

BackwoodsMom

I have found that using a roller on all my leg muscles has loosened up tight spots that were giving me trouble. I just got a $15 one and roll for 2-3 min on each muscle group and ITB. Sometimes it hurts like crazy but in the end I'm better. Lots of how-to's on YouTube.

MamaKeeks

My guess is your shoes.

Make sure you are running in the right shoes for you, esp. if you are going to be increasing distance.

I had this happen to me a few years back, it got quite bad and very painful and a running coworker suggested I have my gait reassessed and sure enough I was not running in the proper shoes. As soon as I switched, the pain was gone.

whizzlers

Thank you so much for your advice. Someone has mentioned my shoes too. I think as I am increasing my distances I will get my shoes looked at. Thank you all for you advice. Xxx

ukaggirl

I think I have been having the same issue. I am just 4 weeks into a 5k training program and in the beginning I was having shin splints so I went and was fitted for shoes. I no longer have shin splints but now have developed pain at the front of my left hip. It doesn't hurt too badly when I am walking or jogging in a straight line but if I move my leg out to the side it is very sore. I hate to stop running now because I feel like I have accomplished a lot and I don't want to lose progress. I have taken 2 days off from any exercise at all and have rested from running for 4 days. Any recommendations?

chubtofit

I've struggled with upper leg/hip pain for the past year - I've had MRI's done on my lower back and hips that didn't show anything. After visiting a specialist, I was diagnosed with bursitis in the hips (it's basically where the bursa covering the hip joint becomes inflamed) - there's not much I can do but ice it and take ibuprofen when it flares up. I also suffer from a tight IT band but you'll probably find that most runners have that. Rolling the area does help but it hurts like hell! I'm also doing core strengthening which helps the lower back and also the hip area (people forget that your hips are also part of your core). My advice is to try all the suggestions people give you and see if a combination of them helps.