I run about 3-4 miles/day and last week I noticed a weird feeling in my right hip. The next day it turned into a little shooting pain, and now I'm am limping because it hurts to put my weight on it when walking or trying to lift my leg. It kinda feels like a pulled muscle, but in my hip ...??? And it's weird because when I workout my leg and it's warm it feels fine, but once my workout is over it "stiffens" back up and is sore again.

Anyway, I know I should rest it but I'm on a roll with my exercise routine and don't want to stop all together! Any suggestions on what other exercises I can do besides running, that won't bother my "bum" leg? Or should I just suck it up, not exercise, and let it heal?

I wish I could help! I have almost the same thing, except no pain in my right hip, just a weird overall fatigue. And if I could touch where it feels fatigued, it would be right in my hip joint itself, not the muscles that attach to it. It becomes hard to lift and move my right leg forward after I exercise for more than 30 minutes. Weird.
I'm working through it (hot yoga 4 times a week for 90 minutes per session) because it might be a muscular imbalance between my quads and my hamstring which is leaving my leg feeling weak. And like you, I have no pain when I am working it. So if I exercise more, I'll strenghten it??? That's the theory, anyways. If it doesn't get better, I'll hit the pool instead.
You might try the ellliptical for a while to reduce the stress on your joint...
Kira

I would try some rest and ice.

I would get an xray.No exercise.Stress fractures are possible in the hip.Take NSAIDS and you can try heat alternating with ice for comfort.It could just be strained or inflamed.

I would get it checked out. I had a similar problem when I first started running. Turned out I had mild bursitis in my hip, probably because I ramped up my mileage too quickly. I ended up with 3 weeks of physical therapy (no running) and then started ramping back up more slowly. I haven't had the problem since. The physical therapy was most helpful and instructional.

To prevent recurrence, I find it's important to get properly fitting shoes and replace them regularly. Also to do regular stretching and strengthening exercise for legs, hips and core muscles. And don't ramp up mileage or intensity too quickly.

But, I'd have it evaluated -- I wouldn't just tough through it and hope it gets better. If you know what is causing it, you'll be able to resolve it quicker.

Please see a doctor...

Also if you are running 3-4 miles EVERY day, 7 days/week that's really too much, you should run every second day, even if you're on a roll. Your «roll» will come to a dead stop if you are injured and you will not be any further ahead...

also might be the shoes... i too had hip pain and switching to new different shoes made the pain gone. If you know you have the right shoes then it might be medical problem. The good running shoes cost around $100. Maybe your shoes got old and need to be replaced? The specialists recomend to update shoes every 5 months.

Thanks for the input everyone!


That's true! But I don't run 7 days/week. I run M-F usually, maybe Saturday, but usually take the weekends off to recover...

Kiramira: I did the elyptical today and it didn't bug my leg at all! It was a good workout too.

MBN: I read about mild bursitis, and that's what it sorta sounds like to me. So I'm calling a DR today. And I sure hope it's not my running shoes, their only a few months old!

Thanks again for all your feedback gals, I appreciate it

I had a similar issue with my right hip that I also think was bursitis. I started walking on the treadmill in January after about 18 months of little regular exercise and slowly over the next month I was walking every day, sometimes twice a day for 40-45 minutes. I started getting the right hip pain so I looked for something else to do that would be less impact on my hip. I did a 2 week free trial at our local YMCA and went every day for the two weeks doing water aerobics, strength machines, and the elliptical machine. For the entire two weeks I had no hip pain at all. Now I am trying to balance the walking on the treadmill will going to the YMCA a few days a week. I try not to do the treadmill or power walking outside more than once a day every other day. I still get discomfort in the evening in that hip on the days I walk but then by morning it is gone. I take Advil to help with the discomfort and reduce swelling. It's never nearly as bad as it was a month ago when it was constant and very painful. I think it's a matter of learning to adjust your exercise routines and rest time to prevent the swelling of the area.