W7 and a half R3 in the bag. Tummy still a pro... - Couch to 5K

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W7 and a half R3 in the bag. Tummy still a problem.

Rignold profile image
2 Replies

Well finally ticked off W7R3 this evening, 11 days after W7R1, having had delays from twisted ankle, over-lunged buttocks (don't ask) and an aborted attempt at R3 at the weekend that ended in disaster at 14 mins.

My legs are definitely much stronger now. Don't even feel any aches at all running 25 mins, but the last few runs I have done I have real problems breathing deeply enough after only a few minutes. It is not my lungs that are the issue, it feels like my stomach has tightened up too much for me to breathe from the diaphragm. As if I were wearing a really tight wetsuit or a huge elastic band around my middle. It is not a pain like a stitch, just like my stomach muscles have all turned to rock. When I feel my stomach it is really tense too. This prevents me from breathing deeply so I am doing shallow breaths. My lungs aren't burning or anything and it comes on well before the point where I would expect to start getting gaspy. I manage to run with it, but it is as if my breathing is stuck in first gear.

This is really beginning to annoy me. I feel sure if I could just get my stomach to relax I could fly through the run.

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Rignold profile image
Rignold
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Fitfor60 profile image
Fitfor60Graduate

That's funny cos I have suffered a similar sort of pain / uncomfortable feeling. I went to running group for first time yesterday and the leader said it is like a stitch in my diaphragm ( exactly how you explained it !) anyway he told me to swing my arms back and forward across the front of body (instead of back and forward as I usually try and do ) and it really helped. I just did it when felt the tightening. I was going to ask him more about it next week so if I get any more info I'll let you know

runningnearbeirut profile image
runningnearbeirutGraduate in reply to Fitfor60

Interesting solution. I've noticed several Kenyan/Ethiopian distance runners run like that - perhaps that's why??

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