anyone else get upper back pain after running?

[Skandia]

I am on week 6 run3 and for the past 2 runs have had aching pain between the lower part of my shoulder blades after running. Never had it before. It is preceded by a stitch like pain in my ribs which means I cant compete the run (only get to the 12 1/2 minute mark). Any ideas what is causing it?

[gladiator]

Hi Skandia,

Extremely well done for having made it to W6R3

You don't say too much about yourself so it would be difficult to hint at the reason for your pain and in any case it could be caused by dozens of different things, but at least you are listening to your body which is saying 'hold up I don't like this'. There are many reasons put forward for the cause of stitch and the most popular and likely one is eating before your last meal has had a chance to get at least part digested - better to run on an empty stomach than risk problems on the road.

If I was faced with your issue then I would schedule a leisurely run of ten minutes length and note how I felt at the end of it - I would do that on 3 occasions if on the third occasion I felt good then the next time I would do it for twelve minutes and then increase it to get past your twelve and a half minute mark and then return to C25K schedule but the latter is not a race - 'it can be done in 9 weeks' but it doesn't have to be, better to enjoy the experience rather than experience the pain.

Let us know how you get on.

[Skandia Graduate in reply to gladiator]

Thanks for the advice - I was thinking along the same lines. Re the pain it's not stitch as I still have it in my ribs 24hrs later. Think its a muscle thing. Googled it and it can be caused by breathing in too deeply when landing on your right foot!! Not sure how to avoid that when I'm gasping for breath

[H123 Graduate]

I think I run with maybe slightly hunched shoulders and find that a good stretch seems to help with back pain. It helps me to put hands behing back, clasp hands together and raise hands gently. Also rotating shoulders backwards in a circular motion. Good luck...Im trying to solve dodgy knee pain!