Compression hose totally ROCK. I have a pair of 20-30 mm Hg thigh-highs from the drug store, and a pair of 30-40 mm Hg pantyhose that I got on sale from the medical supply place, just to have a second pair. The Futuro brand hose from the drug store work just fine and cost about half of what a schmancy triathlon label will run you. I spent the better part of 24 hours in compression hose after my last marathon. Walking was a challenge the rest of the day of the race - by the next morning, sure I had some soreness, but I was walking and going up and down stairs completely normally.
Definitely a cold bath (anything below 64° counts). If you can't stand that, just DEFINITELY avoid hot. When there's inflammation there already, heat really exacerbates it.
Elevation - legs above your heart - as much as you can. On the couch, or "backwards" in bed with your feet on the headboard.
I just read something that said that one beer reduces growth hormone production overnight by 50% ... two beers, 80%. I generally don't have any alcohol for four or five days before a goal event. Recovery aside, if I haven't been drinking for a while and then I have one, the next day I'll really notice it in my muscles and breathing.
I've read several places that ibuprofen slows recovery. If you can handle the ouchies, try doing without it. (It never really does anything for muscle pain for me, anyway.)
Good luck! A friend of mine is in the middle of four marathons in two weekends right now.