After my run today (28 mins), my left quad has gone very stiff like a block of wood and is slightly painful when I stand on that leg. Have stretched, iced, had a hot bath and now smell of the alluring odour of 'Eau de Deep Heat!' Any suggestions/tips/help... ouch!
I think you are doing the correct thing - ice, compression bandage, elevating it. If you have a foam roller try that - lie facedown with elbows on the floor with the roller above the left knee. Cross the right leg over the left ankle and roll backwards until it reaches top of the thigh and roll back and forth. After a few days try reverse lunges and squats to strengthen the quads as often strong hamstrings and weak quads can cause a strain or tear. Hope it heals soon.
Thanks Sue, I haven't got a foam roller, think it may be a good investment as I intend to carry on running! It's the front of the left quad just above the knee. Am hobbling around now, hope it's better in the morning. Will try those stretches you've recommended as well.
Susie x
I swear by my foam roller. I tend to struggle with my calves, but a good massage with the roller between runs always seems to ease out any knots or tightness.
Thanks saruma 
Definitely a foam roller, runningwild - my quads were exactly as you describe before I started using mine.
Can't remember if you go to the gym or not - my gym has a kind of electric wooden roller thing that rotates and you hold the appropriate parts of your anatomy against it, it's a sort of roller-massage thing and it's great too, more effective than foam-rollering in a shorter time.
Good luck - I'm sure once you get properly rollered you'll be fine again!
Thanks Mitts, I can't put weight on that leg now and am still hobbling around! I'm not a gym bunny, looks like a foam roller is the the answer. How annoying with grad week just around the corner, oh well.
Right one foam roller on loan till I get my own. Sue, will try out your suggestion, here's hoping, not hopping!!!!
Well, after the initial laughing and falling of the roller, I concentrated and eventually got the hang of it. Yes it was painful, but not unbearable and my leg feels so much better. Might be able to go to the local tonight without looking like the Tin Man
Will try again tomorrow. Wow what a difference a bit of foam makes!!
Thanks all...
Yes- I agree with the others... foam roller consistently before and after runs, as well as now, will no doubt help you in the future. This is hindsight (so sorry you are hurt) ... but proper warm up (lunges forward and backward, bridges- single and double leg, maybe jumping rope or other plyometric exercise) is really important to activate the backside muscles- glutes, hamstrings, etc. Most people that have the quad problem like yours have developed quad dominance with weak backside chain mechanics and some technical problems with their gait, like overstriding which leaves the quads under great stress. Maybe when you feel better you can find someone to videotape you and help you evaluate your gait.
Here's a good video about form that you might want to use for comparison.
youtube.com/watch?v=1fBh2qH...
(There's some shoe ad at the end which can be skipped. When not barefoot, I actually do run in these shoes and like them because they do help me keep form.)
Be well!
Thank you Genome911 for all the advice, that's very helpful and kind of you. I only do a fast walk for five minutes before I run, now I'm going to be running for longer I will do the exercise, lunges etc. I haven't 'foam rollered' (reminds me of decorating)! before a run either, let's hope it all works, sure it will. I had my gait analysed when I got my running shoes as I had recurrent shin splints, best thing I did getting the right pair of shoes. Anyway thanks again and happy running!
Susie
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