Expert runners: why do I keep cramping?

[guavagirl]

Hello, all runners!

I have been running fairly regularly for over two months (and off and on for many years). As of late, I develop a breath-taking cramp in my right upper abdomen anywhere between 15 and 30 minutes into my run (ooooouuuccchhh!). I've had success in the past with rhythmic breathing and massaging the area, but, despite these efforts and my efforts to keep hydrated, postpone my run until waaaaay after eating, that blasted cramp keeps coming back! :o

I've visited the RW site and determined that the cramp could be due to (1) insufficient oxygen circulation to the area during the run; (2) the yanking of connective/peritoneal tissue; (3) the invasion of a mysterious alien. I very rarely cramp during aerobics, dancing, biking, or walking.

Does anyone have any suggestions for how I can prevent cramps, eliminate the cramps, or at least run through them?

Thanks so very much.
guavagirl

[djoygirl]

guavagirl,
I haven't had this problem very much, but the few times I did notice it I had done one of two things:
drank too much water just prior to starting out
or failed to stretch (sidebends with arms extended overhead) after my warm-up.

I know these aren't very scientific, but they seemed to be what caused my problem.

[Mbart]

I feel for you...the few times I've gotten a stitch, it just ruins the run! Everything else can be feeling great, but there's just no way you can enjoy the run! I don't actually know if these are real or myth, but here's some other possibilities I've heard of for stitches while running:

-caffeine
-too much water/food
-dairy (or do they mean cramps, not stitches?)

I'd be curious to know if anyone else has heard of the above contributing to stitches while running.

Hope you can find a solution!

Mary

[cindyluwho]

I am quite prone to cramps while running and have found that I cannot eat anything for about 5 or 6 hours before running, which means that morning running is the best for me. I can have a few sips of water before and during running, but more than about 3 or 4 very small sips at a time will result in my having cramps, so I try to spread any water drinking out over the entire time running, or else not drink water at all during running. There may be a somewhat delicate balance required here, so that one does not either become dehydrated or develop cramps. Perhaps in your efforts to stay hydrated, you are filling your stomach up with water?