Sore upper thighs from hill running?

Question
I抦 26,  6?? and 148 lbs. I just started running for exercise about 3 weeks ago. I started slow the first few days then moved to a run up a nearby hill. The hill run is about 1.7 miles 250?change in elevation and took me 17 minutes ?I did this every day for a week. I then upgraded to a slightly larger hill run about 2.2 miles, 350?change in elevation, 23 minutes and a reasonably steep downhill portion.
By the fourth time at this second hill my upper thighs on the front and outsides were pretty sore. Sore enough that I thought I should take a break. Well this is my 6th day off and they are still sore. I can test them by observing how I move around my apartment and I know the pain makes me much less agile.
Did I overdo it by running on hills so early? Should I run level ground for a while then work my way up? Perhaps it was just the steep downhill portion that was beating on my legs? I certainly don抰 feel like I had any sudden or traumatic injury, so how long can my legs stay sore?


Answer
Hi Nick
You sure did over do it.I would just go very easy on the flat for a while.Two hill workouts a week is more than enough.Two things you can do to enhance recovery is Epson salt baths and adding 500mg of vit. c to your three meals a day.The most important thing is a lot of patience and work up gradually or your body will continue to talk back to you.

All the best

John