Training & Nutrition - New rider with chest pain

Hi everyone, my name is Dan, I just started getting into this sport this summer. I consider myself to be in decent shape, I played varsity lacrosse and ran at least four miles a day for most of this summer. On my first ride I went about 5-6 miles and had to turn around to go home because I was having horrible stomach cramps. It took about half hour for them to go away, but now it feels almost like my lungs are cramping up. Is this something that my body will get used to? Or am I doing something wrong? Let me know.

You don't mention how old you are, what you ate prior to riding and how long before. Was it hot out
or very hilly? I would try again with the aim of only 5-6 miles. Do not eat anything in the hour prior to riding except water. See how the second ride goes, if no improvement you may need to see a physician.

Hi everyone, my name is Dan, I just started getting into this sport this summer. I consider myself to be in decent shape, I played varsity lacrosse and ran at least four miles a day for most of this summer. On my first ride I went about 5-6 miles and had to turn around to go home because I was having horrible stomach cramps. It took about half hour for them to go away, but now it feels almost like my lungs are cramping up. Is this something that my body will get used to? Or am I doing something wrong? Let me know.

Dan, if you are having chest pain issues, this is something that needs to be checked by your doctor.....immediately if not sooner. It could just be gas, but I'd rather be embarrassed for going to the doctor for gas than be embarrassed I didn't got to the doctor for a heart attack or heart problem because I thought it was gas or something nonheart related. In the case of chest pain ALWAYS get it addressed by your doctor! I can't stress this enough, speaking as a cyclist with heart issues.

Go see a doctor before you ride anymore, nothing to be embarrised about asking your doctor to give you a good checkup, maybe even a stress test. Most likely your problem is what you ate, or when you ate it in relation to your ride, but it's always best to err on the side of caution.

Hi everyone, my name is Dan, I just started getting into this sport this summer. I consider myself to be in decent shape, I played varsity lacrosse and ran at least four miles a day for most of this summer. On my first ride I went about 5-6 miles and had to turn around to go home because I was having horrible stomach cramps. It took about half hour for them to go away, but now it feels almost like my lungs are cramping up. Is this something that my body will get used to? Or am I doing something wrong? Let me know.

My guess is that you are simply riding far too hard and/or you are poorly fueled and hydrated.

Your initial rides should be at a level at where you don't really get out of breath.

Also check your bike for proper set-up. If your reach is too far and you are not really flexible, you might need to sit upright a bit more in order to open up your chest and lungs to breathe adequately.

Seriously, it could just be something as simple as acid reflux which is aggravated by riding and riding position (the stomach cramps kind of suggest this), but even that is something that needs to be treated. I can't emphasize this enough: chest pain is assumed to be heart-related until proven otherwise! It probably is not, but it's not a chance you want to take.

That being said, you might also want to try not eating less than an hour and half before a ride like that. You're kind of bent over on a road bike, and even some mtn bikes too. It can play havoc with the digestive system.

All good advice. Try to find a doctor who specializes in sports medicine. I did when I had a variety of chest pains. Turns out they were a combination of acid reflux and excessive caffine. I wanted a doctor who would not just tell me to stay off the bike.

Since then, I have been riding more, it was my first ride. I'm only 18 years old and I would say that I'm good shape. My guess was that I was just dehydrated or wasn't used to cycling like I was. Thank you all for the advice.

If it re- occurs, I would go to the Dr. You could be dealing with anything from heartburn to exercise induced asthma to something really serious (as if asthma isn't serious enough :rolleyes:).