Ask Lauren Fleshman: Opposite Day: I ask the question and you answer (please)

posted by Ask Lauren Fleshman
Saturday, July 16, 2011 at 12:31pm EDT

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Dear Readers of ALF,

I’ve been having a problem, on and off, throughout the past 12 years of my running career, and its pissing me off so I want to submit to the running community for some insight.

Since I was 17, I’ve been getting stomach cramps, always in the same spot (slightly above my belly button and a little to the right). Usually they come on during long tempos or VO2 max workouts. It shortens and shortens and shortens my stride and makes it impossible to breathe properly. When I push through it, (which I usually try to do) eventually I’m hunched over running like a 92 year old, and I end up sore for days. In extreme cases, I feel it shoot through to my back and then down under the iliac crest. If I stop and stretch it out, most of the time I can make it go away as quickly as it came. Sometimes it returns later, but not always.

I’ve had years where its very infrequent, and periods of time where it happens A LOT. Lately, I can get sore in the area 15-30 minutes after a meal, without even working out.

So there’s my problem, peeps! I have great faith in the collective wisdom of the running community. Got an inkling of what road I should start sniffing down? Researching online makes me think I have every disease known to man, so I’d rather ask people based on their experiences. What you got for me?

-L-Train

I’ll post the answer that leads to solving my problem here. Don’t be shy! Comment below. I really appreciate it.

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There is 1 comment on this post. Join the discussion!

anngaff says:

It sounds like some muscle or ligament is tight and has been for awhile. Have you ever tried seeing a chiropractor for it? I just started seeing one to help me with tight upper back and shoulders that I've had for awhile but now is starting to cause headaches. I'm now mad at myself for not going sooner. They're able to release the areas that have been bunched up for so long.

Monday, July 18, 2011 at 1:17pm EDT

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Ask Lauren Fleshman: Opposite Day: I ask the question and you answer (please)

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Lauren Fleshman

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