Thigh pain after running

[amyhs]

Hi. I am a fitness instructor and consider myself in good condition-I do cardio and lift weights on a regular basis. When I attempt to add running to my workout I seem to always pay for it the next day. I end up with bad muscle pain in my thighs. Most of the pain is on the outer part of my thigh starting about mid-thigh down to my knee. I am not running long distances-only about 3-4 miles. I feel fine while I am running, but the next day usually have pain. Any ideas?

[Heidi]

Is the pain on the very outside? i.e. along the course of the ITB? or is it definately quad muscle pain?

How much of a warm-up and stretching are you doing before your runs? This can be very important and just by introducing stretching pain will sometimes just vanish!

Other ideas are to check your footwear and foot position for overpronation or oversupination:

http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/general/pronate.htm

and get some deep tissue/sports massage

Good luck!