thinkin i have a slight meniscus tear

If it's an overuse injury (i.e. no trauma), then I'd wager ITBS before meniscal tear. Esp. if the pain lessens/abates as you work out, and stiffens up afterwards.

If it IS a meniscal tear...some can heal with rest, but the majority tend to be in the avascular zone. For those, you either need to try and manage your symptoms with PT or have surgery.

But honestly, I'd A) look into ITBS first B) take some time off and RICE and C) go to a doctor.

First off, if the pain is on the medial/inside of the knee, it is possibly a meniscus tear. There is usually a cause of the injury that involves a twisting at the knee especially after planting the foot.

If it is a meniscus tear, it will not heal itself because there is minimal blood flow to the area.

If it is on the outside of the knee, you're most likely looking at iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS) as mentioned above. This is treated with stretching, rest, ice, compression and avoiding the activity that causes the pain. Once you no longer feel it day to day, you can slowly resume the exercise that bothers it, but at a lower intensity and shorter period of time. 

Either one, you will benefit from quad strengthening, hamstring/quad stretching 3x30 second holds, and hip abductor strengthening (you can look up gluteus medius muscle exercises). It will show you a sidelying straight leg raise. 

I experienced the same exactly thing last spring.  I thought it was a tear as well, but an MRI showed otherwise.  There was just some major irritation around where the IT band connects.  I followed the advise above and was running "normal" again in about 5 weeks.