How do you know if you have an injury or just a muscle strain/pull?

[Redcello41]

So I went on my very first consolidation run two days ago and went at a faster pace than I have been doing. It felt comfortable but after I had finished my 30 minute run, I noticed a muscle pain at the very top of my thigh near my hip and it's still niggling me after 2 days of rest (I have been on my feet for most of the time working over these rest days!). So I'm not sure if I've managed to injure myself or if it is just a pulled/strained muscle. I'm going to go back to week 5 run 3 this morning but take it at really easy pace and on a relatively flat route, just to see how this muscle feels. If it's still hurting then I may have to take a week off from running. Any advice?

[Stephen_UK Graduate]

I don't have the answer but would be interested to know this too. Aches tend to go after 2–3 days, so depending on the type and duration of discomfort it might be more serious. If worried, get it checked!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

A pulled muscle is an injury.