Stomach cramps whilst running

Tiptopdel

Hi,

Anyone have any advice to stop stomach carmps(stitches) while running. Has happened on my last 2 long runs, happened me on Saturday in half marathon. They are really sharp sore pains and usually after taking on water??

subscriber

possibly taking on too much water too quickly rather than small regular sips at even intervals.. Would gels be a factor in this also.. I know personally i can take gels on the bike but not wen running, always causes me stomach cramps..

Emer911

What are you eating/ drinking and how long before the running? I have to make sure I FINISH eating 2 hours before I run or else...

Tiptopdel

I normally do any long runs first thing in the morning and just have few mouthfuls of lucozade before hand.
Its only the long runs this happens on, like over 8 miles, up to 8 miles I am fine.
It may be the water intake but I have not being doing anything differently in last 2 runs that i havent done on all other training.
I am eating sizeable amount of pasta night before runs, could this be a factor?

Tiptopdel

Tiptopdel wrote: »

I normally do any long runs first thing in the morning and just have few mouthfuls of lucozade before hand.
Its only the long runs this happens on, like over 8 miles, up to 8 miles I am fine.
It may be the water intake but I have not being doing anything differently in last 2 runs that i havent done on all other training.
I am eating sizeable amount of pasta night before runs, could this be a factor?

Are you drinking Lucozade (the carbonated one) or Lucozade Sport before your runs? There's quite a difference, and drinking the former certainly wouldn't help.

RayCun

Tiptopdel wrote: »

I am eating sizeable amount of pasta night before runs, could this be a factor?

How much? if its still in your stomach that could be the problem.

If you're trying to carboload, I think you have to eat the carbs earlier in the day the day before for it to work.

Tiptopdel

@ dancinpants, I drink small amount of lucozade sport, again nothing I havent done before.

@Raycun, I think this may be the problem, I thought 12 hours beofre run would be time enough but I may try eat earlier on the day beofre long run.
Will let you know if it is the answer!
Cheers

RayCun

Tiptopdel wrote: »

@Raycun, I think this may be the problem, I thought 12 hours beofre run would be time enough but I may try eat earlier on the day beofre long run.

I'm not saying you should be eating a huge bowl of pasta the day before a long run! Sure, eat a meal that's high in carbs at lunchtime the day before a marathon, but if you're stuffing yourself before every long run that might be what is giving you cramps?

TFBubendorfer

I had stomach cramps late in the Dingle marathon 2 weeks ago. My stomach was completely empty and then I drank an entire bottle of water, obviously too quickly.

I had cramps for 5-10 minutes, then they went away. Didn't affect my pace or my enjoyment of the event, though.

Rantan

i dont know if this would help but do you gulp water down during your runs? If so maybe try just small sips?
Personally, from my own experience - I dont think whatever you eat the night before LSR's makes a huge difference - unless you have a huge bowl of chili washed down with red wine or something!