I just did my first IM in August (Louisville) and was pretty surprised that the muscle soreness went away after only a few days. However, when I started doing some short and easy runs I noticed that my muscles would get extremely fatigued after only a couple miles. Two or three weeks after the race I felt pretty much back to normal, but I can't say that I tried any longer distance running for about 6 or so weeks. I'd say you should be more than ready to start running, just take it easy at first.

CONGRATS!

NOW REST!

You will feel good but you'll get tired easily. Take it easy. Savor the accomplishment.

If you REALLY need to get out and do something do short / non-intense stuff.

They usually say 4 - 8 weeks after an IM race.

Some folks will tell you that after an IM...take a week off. Come back with some swimming, then biking then finally running as your body feels up to it. Keep it short though. You may feel fine muscular wise but on working out find you get tired real easy...that's normal. It takes time to go away.
Three weeks out you should feel 90%...that last 10% can take longer. Since we're all different, like triNick said, the ballpark for 100% is 4-8 weeks.

I felt fine after three days...went out and played ultimate frisbee and injured myself. REST!

don't do sprints 2 weeks after like what i did,
don't do Olympic 1 month after like i did.
swim after a week, then light bike, then light running maybe even walking after day 10-12.

I killed the rest of my season after not fully recovering from my first Ironman...I was running two days later! Lesson learned. Last year I took the following two weeks after IM completely off, just hiking and walking (ok and a little mountain biking) but no running. Same for other endurance events. After that, I go another week or two with easy workouts under an hour.

I've learned that I personally need lots of recovery time to heal. But others I know get right back out there. You'll find what works, but err on the side of recovery. Be nice to your body: give it a break and allow it to repair itself. Take it easy and enjoy your IM victory!

Last year (2nd IM) I only took a week off then hit the running agian--ended up with a stress fracture which kept me out of comission from November until this April. Didn't get to do my January marathon needless to say. Everyone is different. After my first one I was fine (trained and did the same marathon) go figure.

[quote=brittda]Last year (2nd IM) I only took a week off then hit the running agian--ended up with a stress fracture which kept me out of comission from November until this April. Didn't get to do my January marathon needless to say. Everyone is different. After my first one I was fine (trained and did the same marathon) go figure.[/quote] Oh, that sounds AWEFUL! Did it take just one run to get the stress fracture, or several after the IM?

[quote=jtrimom][quote=brittda]Last year (2nd IM) I only took a week off then hit the running agian--ended up with a stress fracture which kept me out of comission from November until this April. Didn't get to do my January marathon needless to say. Everyone is different. After my first one I was fine (trained and did the same marathon) go figure.[/quote] Oh, that sounds AWEFUL! Did it take just one run to get the stress fracture, or several after the IM?
[/quote]

Several. IMC was at the end of August. I even attempted a half marathon in November (after a rest of a couple of weeks thinking it would help), but ended up walking the last 5 miles because I was too stubborn to walk off the course. That was when I finally went to the doctor. For some reason that one took a long time to heal ( I have had a few).