Week 4 - Run 1

[amsellas]

Wow this was the toughest run yet for me. After the first 5 minute run I cramped in my stomach and took the next 3 minute run and walked it instead. I got through about 4 minutes of the final 5 minute run. How do I push through it? Any advice on stomach cramping? I felt like keeling over and purging after the longer runs today.

[starknut]

In the past, I really struggled with stomach cramping. Even now, sometimes it is an issue. But I've found that keeping my breathing even really helps - no gasping, mouth wide open, ragged panting! If you're struggling with even breaths, slow your pace until you can breathe easier. Another thing that helps me is running on a (mostly) empty stomach. I try to get my runs in first thing in the morning, once my son has had breakfast. I sit at the table with him and have about half a cup of coffee while he eats, and then it's on to the run. If I have to have a drink while I'm running, I try to keep it to a few sips, more to moisten my dry mouth than anything else. Having too much in my stomach ALWAYS brings on the stitches.

Some people find that eating a light dinner the night before a run helps with stitches, too. I haven't tried that, as my dinners before a run tend to be on the heavier side - I'm not eating anything in the morning to fuel up, remember. But lots of people say it helps, so there you go.

I hope this helps! Stomach cramps are terrible.