Cramps while running

I was a sprinter when I was younger partially because even then, long distance running gave me cramps. This is the primary reason why I start and stop running so much and don't make it a habit. What are some tried and true remedies for you?

Re: Cramps while running

Do you mean cramps in your stomach? Like a stitch in your side? That has to do with eating and breathing. I always make sure to not eat anything about 45 minutes to an hour before I run, and what I eat then is very low in fat and protein, usually it's fruit. Fat and protein take longer to digest, and it's really tough on the stomach to digest difficult food AND run at the same time. Ouch!

It also has a lot to do with breathing. If you feel yourself getting a stich in your side you should inhale quickly, hold it a count, and exhale forcefully out your mouth (REALLY hard - if no one's near you it doesn't hurt to actually make sounds as you do it). If it's bad and you need to stop running, they say to walk for a bit with your arms outstretched over your head, stretching out the area that's causing the cramp. But I've never done that. Breathing properly in the first place (pushing your abs out as you inhale, kind of stretching out the area so your diaphragm doesn't get pushed on, causing cramps) is important. So are having strong abs in the first place.