Several races in a row now, I have had a completely debilitating cramp in my right abdominals just before 3 miles. In the first race, a 10K, I finished despite being reduced to easy run pace but then was still in pain for several days afterwards. Fast forward 6 weeks and it flared up again in an 8k; not wanting to damage it, I pulled out.
Does anyone have any thoughts on what could be causing this, or just how to prevent it? It is not causing me grief in slower runs or workouts, though I can sometimes feel it on longer intervals. I have never had any problems with this before and oddly have been doing much more core strengthening than ever before (not even close to excessive though). It's also not a hydration issue; I'm very good about that.
Any ideas?