Run-Down Forums

[Guest]

...All I know is that there is this incredible pain, and its underneath or behind my rib cage. I have heard people talk of something called "side stiches", but I am unaware of what they actually are?
This pain behind the ribs, which I assume is muscle cramping, is something which has occured spuratically, usually from running to soon after eatting or drinking. These were never a problem, just occurrances.
But in the past two weeks they have become consistent. With two races, all with this under--the-rib thing, and in almost all of the weeks running, including relaxed runs. It definitley is affecting my performance, and the only way I know to combat these things when running is to dig my finger under the rib and into the spot. I never can reach, or get it, but it's the best thing i can attempt. I am in pretty good shape, and I placed within the top 5 in both races the last two weeks, with about a 5:35 pace for 5k. I figure that its muscular, but how could i work muscles under my rib? I can see myself winning a race, but with this problem, I don't think I will be able to go any faster.
This is the fasted I have ever been running, so is that the cause? The concern has hit greatly today, after a brisk run was filled with at least 3 miles of constant wrenching pain. I have another race this weekend, and I am wondering what i can do?
Dan or anyone else, I know your out there, and any information or help you could give I really would appreciate. Pain is not our friend, I am convinced of that!
Thanks,
Michael

[Anonymously Posted by: 'Michael']

[Dan]

Michael,

If you're having pain that constant and severe, I doubt it is merely a "side stitch." You mentioned it often ocurrs if you run too soon after eating or drinking. How often do you normally wait, and how often is too soon? What sort of stuff do you eat? Any recent viral infection? Digestive problems?

The only luck I've ever had with side cramps is belly breathing, and that only works sometimes.

Dan

[Guest]

Dan,
Thanks! Belly breathing sounds like a chore, I will see how it feels. I think I am relatively nutritonal in my eatting. I stay away from dairy, and I wait at least 2 hours after eatting or drinking before running. When I had talked about occurances from eatting or drinking, I was summing up 10 years of running.
I have experienced more cramps in the last two weeks then in those ten years, and the only cause I can figure is the increase in speed. I was wondering if there are any stretches that might help? Do you know of material that explains just what these uner-the-rib things are, and why they happen...mine are more in the front of my body, then my side.
Very Greatful,
Michael

[Anonymously Posted by: 'Michael']

[Dan]

Belly breathing is a little tricky to get the hang of, but it can be very beneficial.

Dairy is often a key item to stay away from. I'd suggest waiting more than 2 hours and see if that helps. Three hours is my absolute minimum, and 4+ hours is preferred.

It's strange that you are suddenly having so much cramping after this many years of running. Has anything changed other than your training speed? As you get faster, one would think that the body would get better conditioned and be less likely to cramp.

From everything I've read, side cramps are one of the least understood aspects of the body. I've seen lots of very inconclusive research. Some people get them, some people don't, and no one really seems to know why.

Dan

[Guest]

I just finished running the LA marathon and the last couple of marathons I have experienced a horrible feeling that comes after I drink. I get what feels like a knot in my upper stomach that once it starts, it does not go away until after I am home and I lay down for awhile on my back. The feeling I get is a lot of pressure in my upper stomach that goes to my back, I experience nausea(in waves) to which I can't drink or eat anything the rest of the race or it will only make it feel worse, then, I get the hiccups periodically which makes me assume that everything is tieing in with my diaphragm and breathing. Has anyone ever experienced this sort of feeling and if so, what is done to help it? I am thinking of going to a Dr. to find out what is going on but am not sure of the best type Dr. for this. I would greatly appreciate any advice anyone could give. Thank you so much!! I would love to have a good race next time and not experience any of this.

[Anonymously Posted by: 'Lori Broitman']

[Dan]

I only know of two solutions under such circumstances:

1) don't eat or drink anything while running

2) stop running

Of course, neither is overly conducive to running a good marathon...

Dan

[Guest]

Thank you anyway, maybe if I go to a Dr., he may have another solution! I'm not about to give up running. Thanks for your time!

[Anonymously Posted by: 'Lori']

[Angelo Z]

Stitches are definitely one of the most mysterious injuries out there...no matter what you do, they still will hit. Even the great Gebreselassie was struck down by one.
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