Runners butt and thighs

Question
Thanks Ryan for the info.  I'll try not to get too discouraged.  You asked what my diet is like.  I tend to go a little more heavy on the protein (meats) than on the carbs just because I feel a little more full and satisfied with the proteins than the carbs.  I've tried it both ways.

Breakfast usually consists of a bowl of whole wheat cereal w/a cup of skim milk and a cup of o.j.  Lunch is usually a salad with some type of protein.  Dinner is mostly a meat (baked or broiled), veggies (corn, peas, etc.), and a starch (rice).  I try to get in two snacks (pretzels and diet cola or a piece of fruit) daily between my three meals. Right before bedtime I usually have a fruit popsicle.

Is it better to eat before or after running.  I tend to eat after running because I'm usually crunched for time getting the kids up and out in the mornings.  I get to the gym around 8:30 a.m.  Which means I usually don't get to eat breakfast before 10:30-11:00 a.m.  

You also asked if I did intervals.  No, I do not.  I really don't know what they are. I tend not to do hills either. If I do hills, should I slow down the speed?  I don't think I could make it through my run if I didn't.  Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks again.

Dena

-------------------------------------------
The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
I've been running for approx. 3 years now.  I had to stop for 6 weeks after having major surgery. It's been about 3 months since I returned to running.  However, I've noticed that my butt and thighs are getting larger while the rest of me is the same.   I really enjoy running, and I don't want to give it up because of all of the fantastic benefits.  Help!  How can I reduce the size of my butt and thighs and continue to run?

My weight has actually dropped by a few pounds since my return.  But I'm not pleased with the size of my lower half.  I am a clear pear shape. I recently heard of the "runner's butt and thighs", but don't know what to do about it.

My background is: I'm a 39 y.o. female, 5'1 and 130 lbs.  I'm quite muscular all over.  I run every other day anywhere from 45 min. to 1 hour on the treadmill at around 6.5 to 7.0 mph.  I also do a 1 hour advanced step class on the days I don't run.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

Dena
-----Answer-----
Dena,

The human body is rather complex. Don't get discouraged. Those areas are usually the first place that weight gets put on. You are working out enough and long enough that the weight shouldn't be getting put on. Perhaps you need a little intensity in your workouts. Do you do intervals at all, or  hill workouts? What kind of foods do you eat? I will think about this some more and in the mean time, let me know more specififcally about your training and diet.

Ryan

Ryan

Answer
Your diet seems quite healthy actually.  As far as hills go, find one about 100-200 meters long and ( you can do them on a treadmill also) you should run up it hard ( not all out, rather building the speed throughout), and then jog back down slowly. Repeat this 4-6 times if you can with a little warm up and warm down. These ar great for endurance, strength, form, efficiency, etc.

Ryan