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Pain while running

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Microcosm
Posts: 4765 - Karma: 153
well NS, I'm coming to you for medical advice.

..try and skip the go to a doctor comments, I'm going sometime soon for a flu shot so I'll probably ask him then, now I just want to see if anyone has any suggestions..

I run a few times a week on the treadmill, and I have been for awhile now. normally I'll run 3+ miles and be fine, nothing too fast paced, maybe 8 or 9 minutes a mile. usually I'm fine, no cramps or anything. it's obviously tiring but that's about it.
but recently, even though I feel fine and ready to run, I'm getting these really bad cramp on the upper left of my abdomen.. like right where the ribs stop. it's pretty painful and I can feel it not long after I start. I just finished today and I could only go two miles before it got really bad which is annoying because I still have the energy to go much farther. any tips on alleviating this? I figure it could just be muscle strain of some sort but I'm not really sure. usually I have to really breath in hard and with some air it feels a little better.
if anyone knows anything.. great, if not I'll be going to the doc soon anyway. thanks.
Oct 30 2007 5:26PM
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Rippy087
Posts: 666 - Karma: 12

is the pain only while you are running? and when did it start, did you get hit in the chest at all? sounds like you might have a broken rib

Oct 30 2007 5:30PM
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zepscratch
Posts: 3517 - Karma: 36
sounds like a stitch to me, in which case i wouldnt worry about, im pretty sure potassium cures those so eat a bannana or something... either way you should ask your doctor when you're there, i just dont think it needs a special trip.
Oct 30 2007 5:30PM
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Microcosm
Posts: 4765 - Karma: 153
not always while running but usually that's when it happens, it started a few weeks ago. I don't really feel it when I'm not running and it doesn't start right away. I don't remember getting hit in the chest but it's possible something happened that didn't seem like anything at the time.

I really wish we could multi-quote.. anyway
zepscratch$-- what's a stitch? bananas aren't my favorite but I'll have a few if it will help and maybe take it easy for a few days. yeah, I figure it's not that bad right now so it's not worth it to go to the doctor until I'm there for something else.
Oct 30 2007 5:38PM
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Hedwig595
Posts: 76 - Karma: 6
I ran cross country for four years in hs and I think I know this pain well lol.  You said its like at the bottom of your rib cage? if thats it then its probably a stich, you mightve pulled something coughing or doing something else too (thats what my friend did).  If its kind of by your heart, that I don't know what it is but I get it every once in a while (first time i had it i was like AHHH HEART ATTACKK!! lol but its not)  I just would run through both of them, and ask your doctor when you go!  Hope i helped!
Oct 30 2007 5:40PM
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dave44
Posts: 11052 - Karma: 113
A running stich...

Just a thought... some treadmills you can adjust the height... so it can simulate you walking/running up a slope.  i had a friend who made that mistake, setting the hill gradient to something pretty steep (offering more resistance). He didn't realize, and tried running his usual distance at his usual speed, and found he was shattered before even getting half-way there. He would get a running-stitch (like under the rbs, where you often get it)...
Oct 30 2007 5:42PM
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Owen.
Posts: 1134 - Karma: 13
try breathing through your nose... When I run, sometimes i general pains around most of my chest, and its from breathing in too much (through my mouth) and something about too much oxygen....
I dunno if thats what you got, but hope it helps
Oct 30 2007 5:50PM
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YourExcellency
Posts: 82 - Karma: 10
Take the butt plug out.
Oct 30 2007 5:55PM
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Microcosm
Posts: 4765 - Karma: 153
yeah, I checked that today because I'm not the only one who uses it but it was set at normal so I don't think it's that. thanks for pointing that out though--it's def. something I would've overlooked.
Oct 30 2007 5:57PM
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artfullydodged
Posts: 8358 - Karma: 1,674
you need to watch your diet, if you've been drinking milk before you run it will give you cramps. If thats not the problem get more potassium in your diet, bananas are good but i'm pretty sure apricotes are the most potassium rich food, try that
Oct 30 2007 5:59PM
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Jake...
Posts: 11976 - Karma: 296
i get the same thing when i run. a) make sure you don't over kill yourself by starting out to fast b) make sure what ever is fully digested in your stomach, and c) breathe through your nose, exhale through your mouth every time.
Oct 30 2007 6:00PM
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artfullydodged
Posts: 8358 - Karma: 1,674
oh and make sure you keep your head up, that keeps your lungs at full capacity
Oct 30 2007 6:00PM
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Microcosm
Posts: 4765 - Karma: 153
nice, yeah that's a really good description. I think that might be it. I was worried for awhile because I have a slight heart murmur that doesn't really affect me, except im not supposed to bench super huge amounts, but I was thinking that could be causing it, guess not. so I should just continue or would taking a break for a week help? thanks for all the help.

skifan2k7- I'll try that too, sometimes it's the random things that cause it.

thanks ns, this was really helpful and I wasn't expecting much because usually these threads don't work out.
Oct 30 2007 6:00PM
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Microcosm
Posts: 4765 - Karma: 153
I do think I need to eat some apricots/ healthier foods, esp. before running. I'm normally pretty healthy but these past few weeks I've had a ton of sweets everyday and I hat two cupcakes not too long before running-- could be worsening the problem. I'll try the head up thing, my heads usually up but not when I'm tired.

10113R5K4T35- yeah, it may be just running at the wrong time. worsening it. I'll try the breathing technique too.

thanks again everyone.
Oct 30 2007 6:33PM
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twintipteles
Posts: 2954 - Karma: 13
all my friends that ran cross country ate a banana about an hour before their races I think.
Oct 30 2007 6:45PM
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wiglaf
Posts: 4877 - Karma: 141
I also ran XC, for about 6 years. I always understood that pain to be caused when you arnt breathing correctly. I read it was due to left over air in your lungs, and is caused from not exhaling all of your air.. I always take some big exhales when i start feeling that pain, seems to work for me. 
Oct 30 2007 6:45PM
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-justice-
Posts: 1808 - Karma: 37
my cure-all remedy is:  drink water, if you're properly hydrated you shouldn't cramp up.  if that doesn't work then listen to the other people. 
Oct 31 2007 2:07AM
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FartBoy05
Posts: 1306 - Karma: 9
 i get that shit too sometimes
Oct 31 2007 9:18AM
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PASKIINGSUCKS
Posts: 9097 - Karma: 777
Concentrate on breathing more, take deeper breathes or us the In the nose out the mouth as said above. A lot of times i will elevate my arms over my head to stretch out my chest and just run through it, it will go away trust me.
Oct 31 2007 11:12AM
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potatofarmer
Posts: 2020 - Karma: 13
sounds like a stictch, try pinching it while you run, or dont eat too much before you run
Oct 31 2007 11:18AM
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miroz
Posts: 10333 - Karma: 3,945
alright, from a physical perspective, all i have to say is dont eat for at least 1.5 hrs before exercise

now i transform into nerd boy.  in APBio today we learned about this stuff.  The reason you get a cramp is because the aerobic muscles (the ones that require oxygen) in your body are maxed out at pace b/c you cannnot get more oxygen to them.  What they do is they go through a process that helps you work harder, but also produces lactic acid, which gets put off to the side and is what gives you the cramps.  Its called oxygen debt, and its why you keep panting after exercise, so you can use up the lactic acid in the krebs cycle to make ATP (i know this is lame)  You might just be running too fast to soon, try warming up a little first, like stretching and a slower jog to start, so that your aerobic muscles (the ones that need oxygen) can get up to pace and your heart can slowly speed up to deliver the oxygen...PM me if you didn't get that, im awful at explaining
Oct 31 2007 11:34AM
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miroz
Posts: 10333 - Karma: 3,945
this relates to what i said, b/c it adds to the lactic acid stuff in your muscles!
Oct 31 2007 11:36AM
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PASKIINGSUCKS
Posts: 9097 - Karma: 777
This man has got it exactly. I usually slow down, breathe deeper, and stretch my arms over my head. Don't break pace and walk whatever you do.
Oct 31 2007 11:38AM
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Microcosm
Posts: 4765 - Karma: 153
sweet, makes sense. I'll try to stop eating before I run too.
the explanation makes sense.. I guess I also learned a few things in school, or at least enough to follow along with what you're saying hahaa, ..and sums up everything I've heard in a good way. I normally start running right off after stretching because I don't have a ton of time, I'll start warming up now.
thanks everyone again, it's really appreciated.
Oct 31 2007 3:12PM
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Dustin.
Posts: 13839 - Karma: 7,704
Potassium and hydration help.  Therefore, I suggest bananas and water.
Oct 31 2007 3:18PM
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Hedwig595
Posts: 76 - Karma: 6
I'd back off for a while until you talk to your doctor if you have a heart murmur, it probably isnt causing it but better safe than sorry right?!
Oct 31 2007 4:35PM
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Microcosm
Posts: 4765 - Karma: 153
that is very true but it does sound like a stitch. and the heart murmur isn't a bad one at all, I go every 2 yrs to get it looked at and it has always been fine. its never limited me in what I can and cannot do in the past, which includes skiing, biking, running, backpacking, surfing etc... but I am taking it into consideration because you never know.
Oct 31 2007 5:02PM
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oiECSoi
Posts: 1447 - Karma: 10
you probably have aids. sorry
Oct 31 2007 6:17PM
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J_Walk
Posts: 1076 - Karma: 28
Umm i have nothing to defend this comment but don't run on a treadmill, why not run outside? unless you live downtown somewhere with lots of exhaust/ intersections. Also i don't know what your goals are in running, seems like jsut general fitness?? anyways its not good to keep running the same distance/ same intensity. there's something called VO2 max... umm basically to avoid it keep upping the intensity and distance. That pain like everyone said is prolly some kind of stitch/cramp.. just go on non ns internet to find out what you should be eating/ not eating and when. When it does hurt if you can keep running like you were just keep doing it the harder you run the less painful the same run will be next time. (unless your running more intensely every time). From my experience, which is 6 years competitive running (normal distance running, xc, and triathlons), running is unbearable pain, every time i run i'm in so much pain that im like why am i running, and theres never a good answer... hope this rant helped.

the second half may not be relevant if you wanna be a casual jogger for extra fitness, (which seems boring to me :P)
Oct 31 2007 7:31PM
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Scolson
Posts: 2904 - Karma: 92
I feel like im going to die if I'm winded and try breathing through my nose.
Oct 31 2007 7:42PM
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DJSTEVEINNIAMIXX
Posts: 1859 - Karma: 1,664
just stop running for a couple days.if you did pull something give it a bit to heal.
Oct 31 2007 7:46PM
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Edew19
Posts: 365 - Karma: 13
Its not about eating as much as it is about your breathing.  Try breathing in every 4 steps, and then out for the next 4 steps.  That always works for me.
Oct 31 2007 11:58PM
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Al_Smith
Posts: 643 - Karma: 11
A stitch will usually go away quickly after just slowing down or stopping. If you're in a race or you just don't want to stop, however, you can often make it go away by bringing your breathing into careful control. Concentrate on belly breathing, pushing your belly out when you breathe in and relaxing it as you breathe out. Take deep breaths on the intake, and exhale suddenly, even noisily. To get the diaphragm to contract in rhythm with your steps, try to inhale and exhale as you land on your left foot. Strange but true, this can help prevent spasms by encouraging the diaphragm to bounce along in sync with your stride.

If the pain is just too much and you have to stop, try bending over and raising your knee on the stitch side while pressing your fingers deep into the painful area and tightening your stomach muscles. Or just walk while belly breathing.

I got that off a good running website. www.coolrunnings.com check it out if your new to running and want some advice about anything

Nov 1 2007 1:53AM
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Alkyy
Posts: 2839 - Karma: 149
umm idk if it was said but its cold out now... its harder to breath when its cold out soo it just something you gotta know and gotta deal with
Nov 1 2007 2:15AM
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AltaPilgrim4973
Posts: 217 - Karma: 11
the exact same tihng has happened to me for quite a few years now.  i ushually deal with it like everyone else who repplied did.  slowed down, breath deep, and hands over head.  just dont stop and lean oover, thats promotes major cramps
Nov 1 2007 2:25AM
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J_Walk
Posts: 1076 - Karma: 28
good info
Nov 1 2007 4:42PM
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Microcosm
Posts: 4765 - Karma: 153
this helped a lot and so did many of the other posts in here.
I ran a few times and I was able to fix the problem. this is kinda late just because my computer died for a day so yeah..
really though, thanks everyone.
Nov 3 2007 6:15PM
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