Running abdomen pain side stitch in the afternoon

[JustLucky]

Hi, I've been running for 4-5 years now gradually increasing my weekly distances. Now I'm comfortable with 25k a week. I don't get too tired or spend too much time with 25. I think I'll stick to it, although it is getting pretty hot now, so I'll probably do more swimming...

I've started experiencing some abdominal pain, I think it is a side stitch. But only when running in the afternoon, last time I went 3-4 hours after lunch. It starts almost immediately, after 200-300m. I didn't even sweat yet. I somehow managed to walk /run to the field gym (3 tree trunks actually) and did some sit ups and it didn't hurt at all while doing them. So I suppose it is nothing serious. I just hate eating all those carbs to do my distance and not spending them right (on time)

I'm wondering if the pain might have something to do with my T1? Or it is just food jumping around? Anyone had similar experiences?

I prefer mornings anyway, as I run on basal only so don't worry much about the lows. But I'm not exactly an early bird, so difficult to get out before it gets too hot. I'll try to go tomorrow morning.

 

[MangosteenElbow]

I can't tell from your description if it is a side stitch but there's a technique for dealing with it that is likely to be successful for most and is non-invasive even if it is not.

Side-stitches come from your diaphragm moving in your breathing in an inappropriate way.
I'm sure there's a more technical explanation.

Here's not the place for listing the likely causes.

Basically you will have to retrain your breathing pattern during exercise.

In the meantime, when it strikes, try this:
Standing (not running) ...
Using the hand ehich is on the same side as the stitch, spread the thumb and forefinger wide
Thumb behind, towards the back, press the forefinger deep under your diaphragm while you are standing, bent right over, breath already out
Pull up, breathing deeply in as you come up

You might need to do it a few times.

In a figurative sense you are resetting your diaphragm pattern as you breathe.

You need to really bend over and have your forefinger deeply squeezed in, I guess to limit your diaphragm.

Works best for those with little or no abdominal fat.

I guess there's better explanations on the interwobbly, but that's the way it works for coaching runners.

 

[MissMuffett]

You could try a little experiment. Have lunch without carbs, go for your usual run at the same time and see if you get a stitch. At least that way if you still have them you know it’s not the food