Stomach cramps after races or very hard workouts

Do you happen to race/train at high altitude?

? wrote:

Do you happen to race/train at high altitude?

Nope...

I've been experiencing stomach cramps after hard workouts, long runs, and races for quite few years now. I'm assuming that it has something to do with the mechanical jostling that your intestines go through during that time.

I've found that having an empty stomach alleviates some of the cramping...however, you can't really race with an empty stomach.

Anyone else have success avoiding cramps?

It could be dehydration.

txRUNNERgirl wrote:

It could be dehydration.

That's why I thought...but i drink a lot of water

akljdaf9ljafkdsj wrote:

txRUNNERgirl wrote:

It could be dehydration.

That's why I thought...but i drink a lot of water

Could you be lactose intolerant? It was my problem. I switched to soy milk and go real light on cheese now. Yogurt does not bother me. Until I was about 25, I never had the problem.

I write down everything including what I eat before and after races. I had some smaller problems and then a horrible problem after a hard 10k when the light bulb went off. I changed my diet, no problems since.

If you only drink water, try drinking something like Gatorade (electrolytes) next time.

It's your diet. Something you consume is giving you problems. I had the same problem and found it to be fructose. The dehydration plays a role as well.

I had this problem, but now take salt tablets and/or recovery powdered drinks. You need to hydrate, but you also need to replace electrolytes. Getting some food in your stomach will also help.

No, its acids, when we perform hard the stomach "closes" and the acids acumulate - try low fat milk

just an opinion !!!!

regards

rod

Is the pain actually on the left side? If so, then it's your stomach. If it's on your right side (where your liver is situated in the abdominal cavity), it's probably dehydration.

are you male or female (seriously)

One of my runners had a similar problem- getting him more potassium made it disappear.

Might not work for you, but you could certainly try eating more bananas.

What usually alleviates the pain afterwards? Time and rest or do you do anything else?

I've had this problem for years, but it's not limited to races and hard workouts, although it occurs more often with those. It also seems to happen more often when it's hot out and if I have to go to the bathroom during a run. Sometimes when it occurs, I've had absolutely no dairy for the day, so I don't think that is the cause. It happens to me whether I eat or not. I have been unable to pinpoint a cause. I am often in pain for hours following a run and visit the bathroom frequently. The only thing that somewhat helps is to sit still or lie down. Anytime I walk or move around, the cramps occur again, which results in a bathroom visit which will alleviate the cramps temporarily. I'd LOVE to find a solution to this problem. Sorry I can't be of more help to you.

^

I have a similar problem, though yours sounds more frequent. It does occur more on hot days, several times throughout the summer, as well with the occasional race or tough workout. I can't figure out any dietary reasons for it though.

The only ways I've found to eliminate the feeling afterward are a shower, laying down, and the best, albeit controversial, solution is [vaporizing] marijuana.

I have also experienced this for years. I get severe stomach cramps after really intense workouts or a hard race and I have tried all sorts of different things and nothing has helped. Eating afterwords and drinking fluids doesn't change how I feel. It have just accepted the fact I am going to feel aweful after hard runs. It SUCKS!

After a race or workout I puke like there is no tomorrow. (Sometimes I feel like there is actually going to be no tomorrow.) I never drink milk the day of a race, so I don't think it can be that.

If anyone has the answer, I will pay you big bucks.

Hey to all. I have these identical issues, I think the main thing that I have eliminated from my diet that is helping the most is wheat bread. I have a turkey sandwich for lunch everyday and have gone to white bread w/ no fiber. Seems to have done the trick. I switced to soy yogurt as well and that might be helping.