Injury versus soreness

[Curlysue]

I ran a half marathon on saturday, it was my 5th one. Since Sunday, my right hip/butt has been hurting. I have never had pain there before. I can't tell whether it is just soreness from the race, or some type of injury. I was going to try to do a few easy miles this afternoon but if it is an injury I don't want to make it worse. Does anyone have any advice for me?

[flamingemu]

Does stretching do anything for it?

[aurora]

One way to tell is the symmetry. If you're sore, it's most likely to feel similar on both sides of your body.

How often do you run half marathon distances? If this is a relatively big run for you I might suggest taking a couple of days off with some stretching, walking, maybe cycling or swimming before running again. That said, if the pain isn't too bad and you want to run a short distance and you will actually follow through with stopping if it hurts more, you probably won't make it a lot worse in one day. The following through with stopping is what I'm not very good at, so I usually don't let myself go out for those few miles if I hurt.

[Susie]

So it's been 2 days now since the race? I'd go do 2 or 3 miles today. That is not far enough to really materially injure yourself (or make anything worse) and you may feel much better afterwards.

I usually do my long runs on Saturdays, swim Sundays, and run again Monday. I am continually amazed at how much better I almost always feel after that Monday run.

[Deleted]

I'd do what susie says. I find soreness post-race can be really weird and a short, easy run will help shake things out. It can also tell me if it's an injury. Plus foam roll your piriformis and hamstrings.

[jeanl]

I was going to suggest the foam roller as well. That thing has really helped me out when I am sore.