Today’s run: 3.45 miles, 10:36 min. YT: 155.31. Today’s run had to be shorter than I would have liked, but only because I had fun plans that needed accommodating. I’m calling it the ugly run because it was mostly in Alphabet City – just urban streets, not much to see. About 1 mile of it was on the East River, and that was lovely. It was a lovely, lovely day.
All you wise runners who come to this site: Lately I’ve been mildly sore after running, in what seems to me to be a strange place. I”m wondering if this is common, and if it’s because I’ve been running a tiny bit faster these days – ie getting closer to being a “real” runner and thus having pains in new places.
OK, no more suspense over the “where” of it. It’s …. I guess it’s my hip – it’s almost at the latitude of my belly button, maybe a little lower, and halfway between center and the edge of my hip. Maybe around where the pelvic bone juts out. And it definitely feels like a muscular soreness, not a joint or something.
Is this a typical runner’s pain? Anyone?
Hmm, I don’t have any experience with the environs around the groin or inner thigh. I think the closest I get is the hip flexor, but you seem to be describing a more central spot, maybe deeper.
So, I’ll just offer this general advice for little aches: ice if you can, right after running. If you can’t do that, then a warm bath. 12 min. is all you need. Watch for changes while you run, and afterwards. Changes like the ache moving around, increasing or decreasing.
Do you have this pain only after you’ve finished a run? Never during, and no pain any other time of day?
You know, it’s not really the groin or inner thigh. it’s more the hip. i think maybe i need to strengthen my core. i might be running a little sway-backed and that’s what’s pulling.
It’s not really a “pain” so much as it’s sore. And it’s like a 1 or a 2 in terms of annoyance. It’s just strange, because it’s some muscle I’ve never used before. It follows a normal healing process, ie recovers after a day or two.
IT Band??
piriformis maybe? Though that’s usually a literal pain in the butt.
Well, if the pain is at the side it’s probably ITB as Pete suggests. Hip flexors are in front, just below where the pelvic bone juts out. They get stretched when you arch your back, but also if you extend your leg behind you at the end of your stride. You might also be using them more than you’re used to, to bring up your knees at the start of the stride.
This is the routine I had to be dragged into doing by never-ending hip pain: http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=18359
It works so well the pain switched legs and moved down to my knee.
Regardless, I think it’s probably nothing to worry about. I still suggest ice right after you run because it will help to heal it faster, thereby letting you run more overall, but I don’t think it merits any more action at this point. Just keep an eye on any changes, exactly as you have been. :)
I think it’s my hip flexors and that tucking my pelvis in better will help. It seems to.