Hey!

Here is my conundrum: I love to run, but my cramps are getting in the way. No matter what I do, they still deter me from enjoying my jog. I've tried jogging in the morning, afternoon and at night, with a meal / without a meal, but it doesn't help. Although the intensity of the cramps isn't as bad during the morning but it seems much harder running without a meal .. almost like doing a JOB rather then enjoyment. I've tried eating something small like half a banana and some apple sauce and then waiting a hour then running... but I STILL get them.

I've tried even jogging through the PAIN but the cramps win, and I eventually have to stop.

I thought it was the way I was breathing that might be the cause, so I did a online search and found the best way to INHALE and EXHALE is through the nose and mouth, respectively. But even with experimentation I still get the cramps.

I never get a problem of cramps when working out though.

SO I really don't know what to do now. I even tried HIIT, but its even worse. Does anyone have any suggestion that I might be able to control the cramps? It seems like the only reason I truly have to stop and end my runners high.

To describe the 'cramp' its as these sharp distinct pain in the stomach area... They subdue very quickly after I stop running.

To describe the 'cramp' its as these sharp distinct pain in the stomach area... They subdue very quickly after I stop running.

You sound like you are describing "stitch", not cramps.

I think Zen is right...the remedies you have tried with food pretty much rule out stomach cramps and that leaves side stitch..different problem.

Organs in the trunk are suspended by muscle fiber and ligaments..the jarring of the landing puts pressure on both..If you have a good bit of fat in the trunk, that makes matters worse,because fat doesn't support anything..If the stitch is on your right side most of the time,that's a clue..

Prevention is lose fat in the trunk if you need to...do some pre-run stretching..light...front bends,side bends,over-head stretches..some ab-strengthening exercises when you workout...and general toning of the ab area..

I don't think you will have much success in running through a side stitch,as you have already learned..and if you are getting it nearly every time you run I would try to let the ligaments heal and do some other cardio that does not jar the landing..

I had the same problems on longer runs. I poked around online and found this solution. It has something to do with sodium and how it helps you absordbwater.
For me I wanted to eat on the longer runs of 7 miles and more as a way of training for longer distances but as soon as I did, my stomach would hurt like crazy. I tried drinking more water but that just made it worse. It would last for an hour or so after the run then slowly fade away.
A remedy i read about stated that because you are sweating the salt out of your system and it is needed to absorb food and water into your system, the food just sits there. I know that every non runner on the board will tell me I am wrong but the fix for me was to eat the Goo food such as Power Bar Gels. I have one before my run with a glass of water then another at around the 5 mile mark. No more stomach problems. There is alot of sodium in these products specifically to enhance absorbtion. I stopped eating regular food before the runs because the gel food is replacing it. It cured my problem. Hope it does for you too.

Some other cardio may be the best for you. Are you able to join a gym? If so, maybe bike or rower are the best options?

How far can you actually run before the stitch/cramp sets in?

By cramp, do you mean side stitch? If so, this is because your organs are bouncing around in ways that they are not used to, and nothing is stopping them. The way I found to avoid them was to make sure your core is in good condition. Running helps with this over time, but so will direct core work. The muscles will help keep things in place and you should discover that after a little bit of time it takes a lot longer for a stitch to develop.

Some other cardio may be the best for you. Are you able to join a gym? If so, maybe bike or rower are the best options?

How far can you actually run before the stitch/cramp sets in?

I get the stitch at around 15 minutes into the run or so.

Is there a goal or goals that you are after by running? Or is it just something you like to do?

~SC~

Is there a goal or goals that you are after by running? Or is it just something you like to do?

~SC~

Hey Swole, I love to run, because I get of sort of a high while doing it. I want to run a marathon in September so I'm trying to work up the endurance.

I know all about the side stitch - it generally comes from a combination of hydration and improper breathing (breathing out as you footfall - very common).

Don't drink too much water before you start - I get them every time I do that. As soon as you get them, apply some pressure into the stitch - it helps them subside quicker. I don't mean punch yourself or anything, though.

Long distance running really isn't my favorite form of exercise (not knocking runners; I do plenty of sprinting), so I don't do it much anymore. Partly because of the stitching - if I wasn't correctly prepared, I'd be halted. I don't really have to prepare like that for any other kind of workout.