Bilateral Hip pain after running

Question
After having two kids fairly close together I'm back into running, but I've been experiencing nagging hip pain.  Currently I'm running three times/week 4-5.5 miles, under a 10 min mile.  I also cross train with Spinning and swimming for sprint triathlons. It doesn't bother me while running, but hours afterwards it hurts very high on the outside of both of my hips, initially I thought it was sore muscles from doing oblique ab work, but after this much time (it's been bothering me for months), I think it's something else. The pain is worse when climbing stairs, and it bothers me while sleepig on my side. My lower back has also been sore, I"m wondering if the two are related. Any thoughts are appreciated.
Heather

Answer
Hi, Heather

Although I am not a doctor or physical therapist, I can sympathize with lower back pain.  Because of the questions my physical therapist asked when helping me with my back pain, I highly suggest that you see a doctor, chiropractor, and/or physical therapist.

I say this because your pain has been going on for along time and it sounds like there could be more than hip/back pain from what you've described.  However, you do need to see a medical professional for a proper evaluation.  That way you don't do something in training that will aggravate your problem until you can remedy it.

I've had to eliminate and modify a number of exercises over the past month because of the location and type of back pain I have.

It may also be that there are activities you're doing that are aggravating your body and you don't even realize it.

So, go see a professional so that you can get back to the business of training.

Trust me in that it's better to see someone now rather than later when something can't be fixed.

Good luck.