From: GE.PMR@forsythe.stanford.edu (Tricia Richter)
Subject: Trying to post this again...Re:  Help w/Side cramps
Organization: Stanford University, California, USA
Date: Fri, 10 Apr 1992 17:39:51 GMT


I was glad to see someone else post this question.  I'm primarily a
cyclist, although I've run on and off over the years.  I'm preparing
for my first triathlon now, and I've been experiencing the same
problem in training.

The side-ache always catches me at about the same point in my run
(about 15 minutes into it, wherever I may be running), and it's
always on my right side just below the rib-cage.  Sometimes it's
worse than others, occasionally I've actually had to stop running
for about a minute and walk 'til it disappears.

I figured as I got more in shape it would stop occurring, but I've
been running 2-3 times weekly for the past 6 weeks, and I STILL
cramp up.  I've tried stretching the abdominals too, and it doesn't
help much.  A friend suggested making sure you're well-hydrated
before running, but that didn't seem to make a difference.

I'll be as happy as Michael if anyone has any answers!

Thanks!

Tricia
--------------------------------------------------------------------

> Item: rec.sport.triathlon 797,  7 Apr 92,  39 lines.
> From: mjwilson@amherst.edu
> Subject: Help w/ Side Cramps???
>
> Okay, I need some help with something I've never seen addressed anywhere before:
> I frequently get some TERRIBLE side-aches/side-cramps during the run leg of
> races.
>
> First question: what exactly is happening to me physically?  I feel sharp pains
> at the beginning and end of breaths, and worse when it's a deep breath.  The
> pain is located immediately below my rib cage, on one side or the other
> (almost always the right) of my abdominals.  From my limited knowledge of
> physiology, that says "it's the muscles that move your diaphragm," but
> that's about all I know.  Can anyone give me a firmer diagnosis?
>
> Second question: what's causing it?  I initially assumed it was my running--
> my weakest and newest sport.  Since it almost always occurred after
> transitions, I began to focus on my riding form.  Then this spring, on
> my first two long rides I got the same cramps JUST riding the bike; this
> has never happened before.  So now I'm thinking it's some combination of
> my breathing pattern and riding form, with an emphasis on the former.  Help?
> Why did it start happening on the bike all of a sudden?  Also, what role
> might diet play (especially riding on an empty stomach)?
>
> Third: (obviously) what should I do?  Suggestions have included: running
> with my forearms lower; doing more sit-ups (MORE?); stretching my abdominals
> before exercise; avoiding citric acid; shallow breathing at the "bottom";
> shallow breathing at the "top"; regular deep breathing.  Quoth the trainer:
> "No one's really sure why they happen."
>
> When the cramps actually hit, I raise one or both arms over my head to
> "stretch" my diaphragm and rib cage (running that way if need be, but
> it's dangerous on a bike :)  This is the only thing that seems to help.
>
> Thanks in advance for any advice,
>
> -michael
> mjwilson@amherst.edu
From: richd@hpfcso.FC.HP.COM (Rich Davis)
Date: Mon, 6 Apr 1992 13:41:27 GMT
Subject: HED Disc For Sale
Organization: Hewlett-Packard, Fort Collins, CO, USA