Run-Down Forums

[Angelo Z]

When I get a cramp it strikes me on either side of my torso under my rib cage. I take a special drink with electrolytes to prevent cramping and give energy before I run. I also stretch my torso and my diaphragm before I run too. Some how I just dont get it, I breathe right, I change my breathing, I stop and stretch, I do everything and no matter what I get cramps 15% of the time. I have a really solid core from ab and lower back workout. Somehow I feel little pain then it gets worse or it goes away. It must be something psychological that when I feel a little bit of pain I try too hard to get rid of it, but when I think of something else it goes away. Ive tried that too, but towards the end of a run I give it a final 500 meter sprint and thats where it strikes. Maybe I need to "flow" into the sprint rather than doubling my speed in .5 sec?

[Angelo Z]

If for any reason you want to know my training program, I use Hicham El Guerrouj's. Just google Hicham El Guerrouj training and it should come somewhere on this site. I follow his exact frequencies of training meaning morning train, after noon train, etc. I just do his excercises at a lower standard and I set improvements in increments. For example on the program it says do 6x1000m. I started out with 3x1000 and increase by 1 rep every month. Im a great runner overall with a new mile time of 4:48 and a 5000 meter time of 15:47. For myself my leg movement while running seems rigid the way I feel it.

[Dan]

[Indeurr]

Hey: energy drinks will not help with cramps; but they could help you, if you did not sleep entire night before a race.
If I were you, I would enter one of the local 5K races; try to find one with a winning time that has been over 15 minutes for the last couple years.
Even regular sports' drinks for distances under 10 K or under 6 miles should be consumed half--and--half with water (it does not mean that you have to mix them, but consume within the same time frame).
_________________
http://vincovitanj.tripod.com/Do_not_be_a_victim1/index.htmlhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u43o595CARQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x22Alfgv0DY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgcD2akmeJc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB0RcWYMwXU
one hand clapping

[Angelo Z]

Its not for cramps itself. Its a powder mixture that contains electrolytes so that you have fluid in your body. Its not specifically for cramps.

[Indeurr]

Watch it!
The law of the USA says that any substance constituting less than 2% of any food product such as supplements (powders included) does not have to be listed. Therefore, it is possible to swallow harmful impurities with the supplements, or even steroids.
Is the supplement from a reputable manufacturer?
If it is not – stop immediately.
All you need is Gatorade (a bottle a day and water; possibly with a couple grains of salt: you can eat a banana before an exercise, early in the morning for carbohydrates, and drink water with a minimal amount of table salt) and/or water.
_________________
http://vincovitanj.tripod.com/Do_not_be_a_victim1/index.htmlhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u43o595CARQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x22Alfgv0DY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgcD2akmeJc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB0RcWYMwXU
one hand clapping

[Angelo Z]

Ok Im going to tell it to you straight out, I take "Emergen-C" Its a powder that comes in fruit flavors and you mix it with water and drink it. I bought it at a retail store (by any chance). Google "Emergen-C" i would like to hear your opinion on it also.

[Angelo Z]

[Angelo Z]

Do I also need a specific diet for running? I pretty much eat anything I get my hands on, junk food, etc. when I am in my resting time. When I get ready for a run I eat something more consistent. Is it unhealthy? My metabolism just burns it all, and I never get fat. I dont put restrictions on fats, sugars, candy, or anything else. I dont know if fat could clog my arteries because it does not stay in my body long enough, instead my metabolism just burns it, or am I wrong? I have looked at diets and really I see nothing different other than what to eat BEFORE you do a workout say for example, a banana rather than doritos 3 hours ago.

[Angelo Z]

I have been getting cramps non stop lately for some reason. I can't even run 10 minutes anymore without a cramp. I eat strictly with no dairy before every run, drink lots of water, gulp down some salt for the cramps, etc. NOTHING works.
_________________
My favorite all time race: Hicham El Guerrouj - Prefontaine Classic Mile 2002 http://youtube.com/watch?v=4YykUTHzOL8
¥London 2012 XXX Olympiad¥

[Angelo Z]

Problem solved, I talked to my doctor, and he said to get as much potassium as possible before running to prevent stitches. The solution: two bananas. It actually worked, and amazingly I didn't feel any cramps even while sprinting.
_________________
My favorite all time race: Hicham El Guerrouj - Prefontaine Classic Mile 2002 http://youtube.com/watch?v=4YykUTHzOL8
¥London 2012 XXX Olympiad¥

[Angelo Z]

Got another side stitch during a high intensity 10km run. I had to stop running because it was just eating away at me like crazy. I was walking for a bit, did some stretches, the pain stopped. Got back to running, then again hit by a stitch in the same place. So eventually I went home angered, and with a bruise under my rib cage from a punch I threw at myself. As I was relaxing, I was pushing onto the stitch area because it was still hurting when I got home, and the area felt sore. I still get stitches, I haven't seen any improvements in getting a cramp since the day I first started to run. I read that through training, the chances should reduce, for me, I see no changes in cramps. Wether im running my intervals, long distance I get a cramp. I tried belly breathing, stretching, ab workouts, diet, baking soda, salts, acids, onions, garlic, breathing, etc. Even 300 reps of core workouts does not help with my cramps. I don't have any digestive problems, or any of that kind. The only time I am lucky with cramps are during intervals, because the pain goes away while I rest in between, but if I feel a stitch coming during a long run, Im finished.
_________________
My favorite all time race: Hicham El Guerrouj - Prefontaine Classic Mile 2002 http://youtube.com/watch?v=4YykUTHzOL8
¥London 2012 XXX Olympiad¥

[Angelo Z]

For some reason I always get cramps during long runs. I never get cramps during intervals, and if I do they pass away quickly. But whenever I run like 15 miles, I always have a fear of a cramp that will come. I thought that with a higehr level of fitness they go away, but I still have as much trouble with them from the beginning.
_________________
My favorite all time race: Hicham El Guerrouj - Prefontaine Classic Mile 2002 http://youtube.com/watch?v=4YykUTHzOL8
¥London 2012 XXX Olympiad¥

[Angelo Z]

Here is an excellent example. Distance runners who participate in longer events get stitches more often than shorter distance runners such as sprinters and middle distance. For example, Haile drops out because of a stitch. Now I don't think I know of any middle distance runner who dropped out because of a stitch....
_________________
My favorite all time race: Hicham El Guerrouj - Prefontaine Classic Mile 2002 http://youtube.com/watch?v=4YykUTHzOL8
¥London 2012 XXX Olympiad¥

[Angelo Z]

I have some kind of chronic cramp disorder or something. I get them every single time I run. Sometimes I suffer from a cramp on my right side, then sometimes it is on the left side. In the worst case scenarios, it is both sides. I was doing race pace today, and 2 minutes into sprinting I already start to suffer to a cramp in both sides. I tried to massage it, I jabbed my fingers into my diaphragm and exhaled out my mouth through pursed lips, I did some side-to-side crunches, but nothing would work. I drank some water, that didn't work either. I changed my breathing pattern, and again that did not work. At first I took one breath in, and one breath out according to how much oxygen I needed. Then I tried breathing in and out fast. I landed on my left foot everytime I exhaled, and also split up my breathing such as 2 breaths in, then 2 exhales. I have no problems with shin splints, or anything else. My body is already developed enough in terms of circulation, etc. to handle the stress. The stithes keep coming and coming, and I can't stop them. I do have one plan, and that is to eat a banana with salt. My mom's friend who is a doctor asked her what I need to fight stitches, and she said that I needed potassium. A banana with salt is nasty, but definately worth the try. It is said that the higehr the fitness, the lower the chance of getting a stitch, but not for me.
_________________
My favorite all time race: Hicham El Guerrouj - Prefontaine Classic Mile 2002 http://youtube.com/watch?v=4YykUTHzOL8
¥London 2012 XXX Olympiad¥