It usually takes between 5-10 minutes before I start cramping, and I have to run with the side of my elbow pressed against my side.
How can I prevent cramping from happening?
How can I prevent cramping from happening?
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How Can I Prevent Myself From Cramping While Running?
- Thread starter EddieRanger
- Start date
Don't drink lots of water before exercise, just a couple of swallows. And don't eat anything before running, because the theory is that stomach cramps are caused by Your organs such as stomach and liver bumping together because of the impact of foot on ground, and this causes connective tissues to umm...do something that causes pain. I can't remember. But yeah, basically it's something like that.
Sufficient water before running will keep your muscles well-hydrated and allow them to contract and relax properly. Warming up any muscle before actual work will also prevent cramps.
Impacting the ground isn't likely the cause of side stitches, or else swimmers and other non-impact athletes would be free of them. They most likely have something to do with blood supply, but no one's entirely sure. That being said, you still shouldn't eat too much food too soon before running, but neither do you want to run on an empty stomach, so a small snack will suffice.
Impacting the ground isn't likely the cause of side stitches, or else swimmers and other non-impact athletes would be free of them. They most likely have something to do with blood supply, but no one's entirely sure. That being said, you still shouldn't eat too much food too soon before running, but neither do you want to run on an empty stomach, so a small snack will suffice.
Haha, very nice guys... two conflicting posts.
In my experience, I have only cramped when running on a completely empty stomach or just being plain out of shape. I would suggest consuming a lot of water throughout the day and eat at regular intervals. Depending on what kind of running you're doing, start out slow. Don't kill yourself out on the streets. After a couple weeks of running and decent eating, you shouldn't be cramping (or at least I don't). Best of luck!
In my experience, I have only cramped when running on a completely empty stomach or just being plain out of shape. I would suggest consuming a lot of water throughout the day and eat at regular intervals. Depending on what kind of running you're doing, start out slow. Don't kill yourself out on the streets. After a couple weeks of running and decent eating, you shouldn't be cramping (or at least I don't). Best of luck!
I always prefer to run in the morning or early afternoon and I make sure I drink lots of water and eat a decent breakfast a minimum of 1 1/2 hrs to 2 hrs before I run. As long as it's been at least 90-120 min since I've eaten and drank, I NEVER cramp. So maybe that's just my magic number? But multiple times, due to a lack of time, I have tried to eat/drink then work out 30 min or 1 hour later and I always cramp up and cannot get the steady run I intended to get. Also, I never drink water WHILE running, or I def will get cramps. I work out solid and then drink like a gallon of water as soon as I'm done.
I would suggest don't run with a full stomach, but sip small amounts of water while running because dehydration sometimes can be the cause of cramping. Also, studies shows that cramping is a result of shallow breathing - meaning not breathing deeply from the lower lung. So if you put too much fluid or food on your stomach, you can't get a large breath. And most of all, slow your pace. Since running too fast may cause shallow breathing too.
If the posts above are not enough help try adding some core exercises to your workout regimine. Cramping usually involves muscles of the core and the muscles used for breathing in particular. Do some core endurance as well as flexibility training. Don't do regular crunches and sit ups; try some core exercises on acefitness.org or another exercise database. Practice proper breathing technique when you exercise, breathing out at the strongest point of exertion. Most importantly make sure you breath enough and reduce the intensity when you can't breath.