General Discussion Triathlon Talk » getting rid of that side cramp? Rss Feed  
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2004-08-16 2:19 PM

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Mississippi
Subject: getting rid of that side cramp?
Does anyone have any ideas on the best way to get rid of that nagging side cramp when running? I don't even know what causes it. I was running 10 miles yesterday and about the 5th mile it started cramping right at the edge of my rib cage. it sucked!!! it started right after i took a swig of water too. i couldn't get rid of it. i tried walking for about 1 minute and it went away temporarily. i tried to drink some more water, but that did nothing. i tried to stretch it out but it didn't do anything either. finally i said screw it and kept running with the cramp, which sucked bad.

any comments?


2004-08-16 2:26 PM
in reply to: #48532

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Subject: RE: getting rid of that side cramp?
Yeah that happened to me about a week or so ago. Someone here suggested that I was breathing when my right foot hit the ground. Next time out I noticed this was right. I always took a breath on my right foot. When I started alternating which foot I took a breath on the cramp went away.

Give it a try...

Keriann
2004-08-16 3:28 PM
in reply to: #48532

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Colchester, CT
Subject: RE: getting rid of that side cramp?
keriann has the idea, when you get a side stitch, concentrate on breathing when your the foot on the opposite side of the cramp hits the ground, works for me every time when I feel one coming on.

Chris
2004-08-16 3:34 PM
in reply to: #48532

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Mississippi
Subject: RE: getting rid of that side cramp?
Thanks!!!
I will try that next time. Anyone know why that helps? Just curious.
2004-08-16 3:53 PM
in reply to: #48592

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Subject: RE: getting rid of that side cramp?
It has something to do with the contraction of your diaphragm. Look up side stitch on google and you'll find the info.
2004-08-16 4:08 PM
in reply to: #48532

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Indianapolis, IN
Subject: RE: getting rid of that side cramp?
I thought that had to deal with asthma? At least that is what I was told.


2004-08-16 4:18 PM
in reply to: #48532

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Calgary, Alberta
Subject: RE: getting rid of that side cramp?
I believe it has to do with the ligaments connecting the liver to the diaghram. When you exhale, the diaghram contracts, thus goes up, and the ligaments holding the liver to the diaghram get stretched (the liver sort of drops as it has doesn't have anything supporting it from below).

Exahling when the left foot strikes the ground helps, as does pushing in and up under the right side of your ribs at the same time(pushes the liver back up and relaxes the ligaments). DOes that make sense?

Anyways, this works for me. I almost always get a side stitch when I run.
2004-08-16 4:24 PM
in reply to: #48532

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Indianapolis, IN
Subject: RE: getting rid of that side cramp?
Huh, that is what kills my running most times. I can't believe after all of this time that there might be something else I can do for that. It has really hindered me most of my life.
2004-08-16 4:35 PM
in reply to: #48532

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Helena, MT
Subject: RE: getting rid of that side cramp?
Try to push your belly out as you breathe in. I read that in Runner's World. I can't actually do it, but just trying helps (maybe because I'm thinking about it so hard!)
2004-08-16 5:55 PM
in reply to: #48532

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Colorado Springs
Subject: RE: getting rid of that side cramp?
I always just put my arm on the side of the cramp over my head
2004-08-16 7:30 PM
in reply to: #48532

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Subject: RE: getting rid of that side cramp?
NO WAY! I have got to try that breathing thing...be cool if it DID help with asthma....


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