Stomach cramp - Beginners - Runner's World

Clare Laurence

02/12/2002 at 13:52

In an attempt to combat my inability to get out of bed in the morning, I have just tried the "lunch time run". However, I have come back with horrific stomach cramp.

I got this pain in exactly the same place when running last week and thought it was just because I'd started out too fast but I got it again today after about 2 miles, tried running through it but eventually had to stop and walk as it hurt too much.

I don't think its stitch as its too low (pelvic area). Has anyone else suffered from this? If so, how do you either get rid of it (still hurts slightly 40 mins after I've got back!) or prevent it in the first place.

All suggestions very gratefully recieved as I'm supposed to be doing my first 5k tomorrow night.

The SwitchDoctor

02/12/2002 at 15:14

Clare, Yep...I had this a couple of weeks ago, rushed in from work, quick change, drink of water and out....but not for very far and like you I thought I could run through it until I ground to a halt. In my case it was starting out too fast.

Clare Laurence

02/12/2002 at 15:58

Hmmm - you may well be right. Thought I was doing well today but maybe I was just going too fast...I find very difficult to pace myself when I'm on my own - guess it's one of those things that comes with practice...

02/12/2002 at 19:07

Hi Clare, do you feel bloated when you run, like you have to go to the toilet? Also, how long do you leave between eating and going running? Avoid having a really heavy breakfast - light cereal, banana, yoghurt will probably suffice (try and take in about 350 calories for energy), and a snack before lunch (depends on when you start work and when your lunch is so play this by ear) BUT try to avoid eating an hour or so before run.
Also drink plenty of water. Let me know if this works. A lot of things about running as we are finding out is trial and error!

DMK

03/12/2002 at 08:45

Hi Clare

I sometimes get stomach cramps as well, particularly if I have been doing some hill work, but they are more of a 'womanly' nature than digestive related! Is this what you meant you did say pelvic area. Mine are like really intense period pains, which can leave me completely doubled up. Does anyone else experience this.
DK

Helen T

03/12/2002 at 13:07

Have had the same: felt like whole pelvic area turned to stone, also v dizzy at same time. V nasty. Talking to other ladies have found is not uncommon. Is not period pain so could it be ovulation?

Are we guaranteed to get no male replies to thios or what?

Dragon Breath

03/12/2002 at 13:12

You would have thought so until I dropped by.

My mate suffers with a bad stomach if he runs after consuming dairy products, even things like milk in his coffee. Perhaps this is the same with you, ie when you run in the morning you haven't consumed whatever it is that upsets your stomach but you have eaten/drunk it by the time you go out later on.

Anyway, I'll let you girlies get back to your mysterious girly things now.

Adrian Collis

03/12/2002 at 13:16

i'll second the dairy theory - it gets me too - not nice!!

DMK

03/12/2002 at 13:30

It is definitely not dairy product or any other food related!! Believe me we can tell the difference.

glasgowgirl

04/12/2002 at 12:43

I had the same period type pain on a 30 min run this week for the first time since beginning running in May. Don't think it was linked to any food/drink. Weird.

Clare Laurence

04/12/2002 at 21:01

Now thoroughly confused!!

I don't wish to completely disregard the boys' suggestions so will give dairy abstinence a go pre-training.

It did feel like period pain but worse and not in the same area I get it (sorry boys!).

I tried sticking to a certain pace when I ran last night and pain only threatened when I sped up towards the end...

May end up writing to the magazine about this one!

chappy

19/12/2002 at 20:24

I suffer from cramps but only when i race and after about 3 miles it goes decided to go through all possibilities 1 by 1 food before a race, warm drinks, strengthning stomach muscles, pace, got shut of the first 2 and no results but a learned friend has now advised me that it will probably be pace. He has told me to warm up well before a race and to set markers in the first 2 miles if its possble and try to reach them at around a certain time so that you dont set off too fast. racing on the 29th let you know how i go on

Talos

26/10/2003 at 10:55

If I start off running slower than feels naturally comfortable, I never get this period style pain.
I only get it if I go off too quick (I am not always aware of this) and my muscles have not had achance to warm up.
When I have experienced it whilst out on a run, it stops me in my tracks for approx 15-20 minutes then goes.
After the attack I can run for England........weird thing, I thought I was the only one who suffered with this, as no one in my running club have ever experienced this.

WendyJ

13/11/2003 at 09:47

I get these pains too. They feel exactly like period pains in the very low pelvic region. As it's been two weeks in a row, I know it's nothing to do with periods. They are quite bad - I have to stop and walk for a while. I would love to hear any suggestions for avoiding them.

DMK

13/11/2003 at 09:57

Hi I get this sometimes too, and last week for the first time ever, I had some bleeding after the run, the pain had been there but not so severe I had to stop. It was about my ovulation time so not sure if that had anything to do with it.

Anita Kar 2

08/09/2005 at 20:08

I can relate to what you girls were writing two and a half years ago! I ran a women's 5km on Sunday and I felt cramp in my stomach/pelvic area which was very similiar to the type of period pains I get.
I did nearly stop and walk because of the intensity of the pain in my stomach and the thought of running up a hill. However, I managed to continue running/jogging and the cramp I had in my stomach started to go about 40 minutes after I had finished. What a relief.

G Winters

15/11/2005 at 15:27

Here is another weird cramp issue. I don't cramp up during a run. I cramp up about an hour after. It seems to be in both the upper abdomen and intestinal area. And it is terrible! It drains my energy. The only thing to do is curl up in the fetal position and try to go to sleep. It doesn't happen all the time but when it does, it IS memorable. I’ve taken note of what I have eaten and drank prior to running and can not find any correlation. I’m always well hydrated so I am perplexed about it. My husband is a runner too and has never experienced this. Any ideas?

S Calvert

12/03/2007 at 09:50

Interesting to read about the stomach cramp issues. I get intense period type pain when running the week after I've been on. Usually, if I stop as soon as the first twinges occur then the pain will intensify for a while but cease after about 5 or ten mins. On occassion, however, the pain is excruciating, comes on without warning and makes me feel very faint, clammy and extremely sick - this then lasts for 20 mins or so. All very weird and makes running on your own a bit scary sometimes - hence, I now take may mobile with me on longer excursions. Any remedies or explanations would be gratefully received.

Lisa Sherratt

11/06/2007 at 15:12

Oh I am so relieved its not just me!! For years I have been put off running due to the intense period type pain I get usually two weeks before I am due which again like S Calvert I get exactly the same sick, faint feeling which doubles me up!! I have just started running again recently and yep, the pain is back! The only thing I can do at the moment is take pain killers 1 hour before I go for a run and I can just about put up with the pain then. Not a good long term solution so hopefully someone out there has found something else that works. I have had the scans, examinations etc and physcially there does not appear to be anything wrong including endometreosis so what is it??!!! Any ideas??? :-)

Maria Stephens

09/07/2007 at 12:33

I've had the exact same thing ladies. I ran the British 10k recently and between 5k and 7k I had really bad stomach cramps. Felt exactly like period pain, I had to try and walk it off. It was extremely painful and lasted for a good 15 minutes, then it just disappeared and I practically sprinted the last 3k before it came back! Helped me get a new PB but not really the point. I was in agony at the time!