I started my ninth week of half marathon training on Monday, time is flying. I’ve been following along with Hal Higdon’s novice plan and if I’m being honest, I just might go crazy if Spring doesn’t get here soon. How do people do it? Put me outside and I have no problem throwing in my headphones and getting it done. But put me on the treadmill and it’s all I can do to keep myself entertained. I obsess over how many miles I’ve gone, how far I have left to go and whether or not I’m going to faceplant like the guy next to me did a few weeks ago (I can’t make this stuff up). I’ve tried reading magazines, but that becomes difficult with a bobble head and of course we’ve all heard that distractions equate to less calorie burn – eek! When I’m outside I don’t have a problem just listening to music and putting one foot in front of the other. I know it’s a mental thing and I just need to get over it, but running on the treadmill is so unpleasant.
The dreadmill (I renamed it) isn’t the only problem I’ve been having lately. Two weekends ago I was able to do my long run outside. The temperature hovered around 55 degrees and it was pure bliss, up until the world’s worst side cramp settled in at mile four. I’ve had minor side cramps before, but nothing I couldn’t push through. I would describe it as crippling. I slowed to a walk and struggled to maintain a brisk pace so I decided to sit down and take a breather while it subsided. I was able to finish my last three miles, but they weren’t pretty.After lots of Googling and a discussion with one of my best friends, I determined my breakfast may have been the culprit. I got up and had a banana and some toast with peanut butter a few hours before my run. And then right before I hit the pavement I had a greek yogurt. I read that eating that close to a run can mess with your insides, resulting in cramps. I figured that was the problem and I would just watch what I eat and when I eat it. Fast forward to last Thursday and then on Sunday when the same thing happened again. I don’t have a clue what could be causing this or what I can do to fix it. I’m at a bit of a loss here.
There are only 38 days left until the Rock the Parkway Half Marathon and I’m beyond excited, but this is really crampin’ my style. One last thing, I kinda sorta signed up for another half marathon in May as a part of Kansas City Corporate Challenge, so I’ve got more reasons than one to get this side stitch figured out.
Any ideas? Help a sista out!
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YOU CAN DO IT! I ran Rock the Parkway 2 years ago. My first (and last) half marathon. Definitely an amazing experience and so happy I can say that I’ve accomplished that in my life. Good luck to you and I sure do hope the weather gets warmer soon!
I’m preparing to run the Army 10 miler in October (Why did I get myself into this?) and I’ve been on the hunt for the training schedule. Good luck with your run!
Good for you for doing this! I can run outside all day as well, but have the same feelings toward the treadmill – absolutely no desire. I often get side cramps when running and I’ve heard that massaging it can help as well as breathing in through your nose/out through you mouth. To be honest, I don’t know if either has really ever helped, but I still do it. I’ve always chalked it up to my diet.
Good Luck!!
Shannon
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WOO thanks so much, Ashley! I’ve heard it’s a lot of fun, but I’m definitely nervous. It better warm up soon or my sanity will suffer!
Thank you! I found this one on Pinterest, but there are several different versions. So far it’s worked well for me (I switch days sometimes to fit my schedule). Good luck to you as well!
Oh god, that’s awful!! I eat a banana every day, maybe it’s not enough?!
My diet is far from perfect..oops. I read something today about breathing and how it can cause side stitches, that might be the problem! I’m going to have to work on that. And you better believe I’ll be massaging my side if it happens again haha
First off, I’m laughing out loud to the word “dreadmill.” I hate it, too! Secondly, I’m doing the KC Corporate Challenge half as well so I’m excited there will be a familiar face there! Lastly, I’m no expert on side cramps but it helps me to really focus on my breathing. I find that when I start to cramp I panic and forget to breathe normally, making the cramps worse. When the cramps come on, try breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth until they subside.
Woo, I’m excited you’re doing it! Thank you for the tip! I’ve heard that more than once the past few days, so basically I need to teach myself how to breath properly haha. It helps to have something to implement next time the cramps set in.
Ugh my treadmill is my least favorite thing ever. I just canNOT keep myself interested. I’m eagerly awaiting warmer weather so I can walk around outside
Ugh ugh! I’m so bad at running, and working out, and not eating chocolate….seriously. I’m so inspired by you though – you can do it girlfriend! xx
I hear you I am training right now for a half-marathon and it is a great feeling but tough. Treadmills are tricky buggers…I always find myself just looking at how far I have gone and tend to sometimes push myself a bit *too* hard haha.
Good luck with the rest of your training!!!
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They sure are! It’s sooo hard not to. Good luck with your training as well! Can’t wait to check out your blog 🙂
I just discovered your blog– wish I would have had known about it while I was training for my first half (Rock the Parkway also). You have made a long time fan.. I keep shaking my head at your posts thinking yes I went through the same thing..
I started seeing this AMAZING chiropractor in Feb. ( I have horrible hips, that move out of place easily). I was telling her about my side cramps so she showed me how to massage and work the muscle under your rips to help ease that pain, ever since I started I have NO more side cramps when running..
To massage them out you lay on your back with your right knee up and start to massage your right side starting at your pelivic bone in a square up to the bottom of your rib cage and then back down and around, do it for about 3 minutes then switch and do the same thing on your left side..
Thanks again for your blog, hope this helps as you continue running!
Hi Alexandria! Congrats on your first half marathon too! I’m so happy that you can relate to what I’m writing about, but I’m not happy you suffer from some of the same things 😉 I am going to start trying this, because the side cramps still pop up every now and then. Thank you SO MUCH for the tip!