cramps WHILE running

[hjohnson050711]

these side cramp things are getting on my nerves! does any else get these? what are they caused from?

i have tried a couple of things- using the bathroom before a run, not eating 2 hours before a run etc etc

[annabear07]

I got horrible stomach cramps Saturday during my run. I'm sure it was a combination between new fuel I was trying and apparently didn't like, a little dehydration (since it was the last mile of my run), and the heat.

You can try more electrolytes like gatorade/nuun/whatever, or eating more salty foods to uild up the electrolytes in your body. Sorry you are having cramps, I hope you find the cause soon!

[gnomesweetgnome]

Is it like a side stitch? Sometimes I get those if I'm not hydrated enough, but usually mine are from difficulty breathing (i.e. if it's really humid outside) or eating too much too close to when I run.

[ericakaspar]

I got mine from not eating enough calories. Once I fixed up my diet I quit getting them.

[al320]

if it's side stitches, i've been able to get rid of them either by slowing down or changing my breathing...let me see if i can explain this right. let's say the stitch is on the left, when your right foot hits the ground, exhale forcefully.

[missmissy234]

If it is side stitches, there are a few theories on the causes:

1) Dehydration- Like previous posts say make sure your hydrated, but not drinking roughly a half hour before your run.

2) Muscle cramping from heavy breathing- Again like previous post stated the diaphram "muscle" cramps and causes the side stitches. Try slowing your breathing or taking longer exhales while counting1-2-3-4 then inhale. This has seemed to help with mine.

I would get so frustrated cause I would be having such a good run but the side stitch would stop me from continuing.

[Wines Not Whines]

I just posted about this last week... I used to never get side stitches, but lately I've been getting them all the time. I think I may have figured out that mine are caused by an dehydration/electrolyte imbalance, due to sweating more in the warm weather. I took gatorade with me on my last 2 runs, which I usually don't do, but I didn't get side stitches.

[hjohnson050711]

yea - definitely a side stitch! i will try the breathing techniques and i will grab some gatorade from publix tonight. thanks!