Did my first Triathlon, but w/ side cramps

[phoshizzo]

I recently finished my first triathlon. I did the sprint course just to get my feet wet and now I'm hooked. I find myself picking up the latest tri magazine before any of the other road or MTB mags on the rack.

I'm coming over from racing road and mountain bikes. I was also competitive swimmer in my younger days. According to all my time splits, I was mid-pack in the swim and run, but in the top 10% on the bike :rolleyes: :D

The problem that I'm having and hoping you can help me out w/ is that during the swim and run, I'm getting side cramps. I not only got them during the race but I get them in training as well. I usually try and hydrate before a swim or run and will down an additional 12oz of water before I take off. I have never had side cramping when riding the bike.

What am I doing wrong? Or what can I do to get rid of the cramping? Am I lacking something in my diet that is causing me to get side cramping?

My swim training is usually about 1/2-1 mile and I'll run about 4-5 miles. I'm slowy working up to train for an Olympic course.

Advice would be appreciated :)

[tajsss]

This is a pretty common problem often called a stitch. Look it up on google and read. There is no specific thing that causes it, it seems, and is helped differently with different people.

I get them sometimes when I run too fast. With really deep and slow breathing I can sort of control it. I get them worse if I eat just before running. I also try and run smooth and steady and not bounce up and down too much which helps a little.

Different people have all sorts of tricks that may or may not help you. Best advice is to experiment. Try different things with nutrition and technique and see what works for you.

[not2fast]

Congrats on your first tri! I will be doing one this weekend, my first in about 7 years, and unfortunately, my firsat as a Clydesdale!

(Getting old Sucks!)

[phoshizzo]

Tajsss, thanks for the help. I've googled it and have got some good info to work with. Hopefully I can get rid of my stitch problems so I can enjoy my training.

thanks again!

[tajsss]

Good. Glad I could at least point you in the right direction hopefully. Oh yea, congrats on your first tri.

[rplong]

I pinch the hell out of them. Usually it will go away, I don't know if it is the pain of the pinch or something else. Most of the time I get them when I am out of shape.

[Psydotek]

I read this somewhere on another forum...

If you're like most people, when you run, you exhale as your right foot hits the ground. This puts downward pressure on your liver (which lives on your right side), which then tugs at the diaphragm and creates a side stitch, according to The Doctors Book of Home Remedies for Men. The fix: Exhale as your left foot strikes the ground.

I've taught myself to breathe every 3rd stroke when swimming and inhale every 3rd step when running (taking two steps to exhale). By alternating sides it helps to prevent the side aches and is an excellent way to train your body to be more effecient with breathing. :D However if you're tired enough to have to breathe every other step when running, make sure to exhale on the left foot. :)