Ergh... My first fail...

[nicostar]

I was feeling a bit apprehensive about this run all day to be honest and dragged it out until about 8.30pm (which is VERY late for me as I normally go about 5.30pm). I have been so happy to finally get to Week 9 especially with my 1st 5k race coming up a week on Sunday, but for the last couple of runs I've been getting this absolutely chronic (i can only describe as) stomach cramping!!! The past couple of times it happened, I've managed to get through it and it eases off when I slow down catch my breath and have a sip of water... But last night it was unbearable. I got to 25 minutes and I couldn't go on anymore, I did my cool down walk home and thought I was going to faint the pain was that bad.

I don't know what feels worse, the disheartening and upset from failing the run or the fact that it hurt so much!

Has any one else had these kinds of problems? It's not putting me off running one bit, but just wish I knew what it was so that I can prevent it from happening in the future. The only thing I could think of was that it was later in the day than I normally go and perhaps I hadn't drunk as much water as normal???

[rungirlrun69]

Ouch - that's an awful feeling when your body won't play ball. I haven't had the cramps but I do have to be really careful when I run. When you ran at 8.30 instead of 5.30 what did you do different regarding eating? It sounds to me like you were running when you were either digesting food or your body was overly hungry and had no fuel. I don't do a set time but I have to run on an empty stomach and after I have "been" or my run is ruined. Go back to what you usually do and see if that helps - you've come so far!

[nicostar Graduate in reply to rungirlrun69]

I don't like to eat before I exercise, so in all fairness I was probably over hungry as well... Think I will have to go back to earlier times and just get off my backside!

Thanks for your help though x

[Oldgirl Graduate in reply to nicostar]

I run first thing in the morning but never on an empty stomach. Try a cereal bar or small banana with a cup of tea and a glass of water, I have green Tea with vanilla or peppermint tea. (no milk) The hot drink will help sooth any stomach gases that have built up during the night. Hope it settles down for you, the other thing would be to reduce your speed if/when you first start to feel the pain. Good luck.

[pingle Graduate]

Just wanted to say - in what way does running for 25 mins constitute a fail? Sounds like a pretty good run to me! I'm no expert but I wondered if maybe you were drinking enough as this might make cramping worse? It's been very hot lately so easy to get dehydrated. Good luck