Advice on chest pain

[Contentlycon]

Hey all! I am restarting C25K after I completed it last year and then gave up almost immediately for various reasons.

This time I’m finding it generally much easier but going through the motions of doing each week to build myself up so I don’t get demotivated by finding it too hard. I’m on week 4 run 3 right now.

The biggest problem is chest pain, it really scares me. I’m 24 and healthy (ish) and a normal weight, so I know it’s not serious, but towards the end of a run the tightness and sharp acidic pain I feel in the middle of my chest or in my ribs is really unsettling. Is it just a stitch? I’m not even particularly out of breath when it happens. Which is frustrating as I want to push myself and run faster, which should be fine as I don’t get that tired or breathless, but the sharp chest pains make me stick to my usual slow pace.

another point may be - unfortunately - that I have a big chest in proportion to the rest of my body, so I wear two sports bras at once for maximum support which may be very tight on my chest, but it’s the only way to do it. Can’t afford a new one just yet and I’ve never found one good enough to do the job on its own! Could that be the cause?

Happy running to ya all. X

[MacDrools]

I would suggest going for a check up with your GP. It could be anything from your sports bra, to your diaphragm, to your heart. You shouldn't chance anything and get whatever is causing the pain assessed by a medical professional. I hope you're ok x

[Contentlycon Graduate in reply to MacDrools]

Aw okay, thanks. Obviously it’s hard at the moment to go see a GP (eek), but I really want to keep running! Maybe if I just keep it slow and steady.

[grumpyoldgirl Graduate]

Yes it could be your bra(s) but it could be something else too. I now have a Shock Absorber bra, and nothing moves. It is expensive but worth it for me. The band size comes up small, so you have to order the size up from your usual.

I used to have an underwired sports bra which was great when I first started running but as the distances got longer and my lungs got stronger and I was breathing deeper, I started to get that pain you describe. Sainsbury's has a good looking sports bra too, also m&s, or try bravissimo (more expensive).

But could it be heartburn, what do you eat before a run?

[Contentlycon Graduate in reply to grumpyoldgirl]

Hmm I’ll look into it, it’s obviously a worthwhile investment!

I eat about two hours before I run, usually a slice of rye bread and marmite for breakfast. I find it hard to run before breakfast on an empty stomach, but maybe that’s something it’d be worth getting used to

[grumpyoldgirl Graduate in reply to Contentlycon]

Two hours gap should be fine, but I know that I couldn't handle rye bread and marmite! I usually have porridge made with water, or a banana, if anything, an hour before. Some people feel worse running on an empty stomach, but it's ok for me. And definitely no coffee until afterwards 😁

[Contentlycon Graduate in reply to grumpyoldgirl]

Hmm maybe I’ll try something less salty/carb-y! Thanks! I know that when I did c25k last year I didn’t get this pain and I think I was just having cereal then. We shall see

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

It is not a stitch in the middle of your chest.

It could well be your bra, but of course it could be something that requires medical attention.

[GoogleMe Graduate]

Being 24, healthy and a normal weight does not, sadly, mean it is not serious. It's probably not serious, it's probably one of the things others have suggested, but phoning your GP would be a very good idea, they will do a phone consult.

Just this morning on the news there was an item about something like a 50% decrease in reported heart attacks/chest pain and a doctor talking about the concern that people were not consulting about apparently minor episodes and might thus not be getting timely treatment to prevent serious consequences. (With the newsreader Justin Webb describing his own past experience of having had chest pain which went away quickly but he consulted and was able to have treatment as there *was* a problem)

[SteveJoh]

Hi, as previously mentioned, a stitch is usually felt to one side, and just a little lower than the rib cage. Also as others have said, it may be a medical problem so take care and consult, even if by phone.

If you think it’s a stitch, what do you drink with your rye bread? Stitches can be caused by sugary drinks including fruit juice, so if you drink anything at all sweet, try switching to sugar.

Good luck!

[SteveJoh]

Sorry, wrote sugar but meant water!!!