terrible stomach cramps with intense exercise

Eirhren

Hello all. I run about 3 miles 4-5 days/week. I run at a fair pace (11-12 minute mile). I find that when I really exert myself and increase the intensity of my work out I get terrible bathroom cramps. These cramps can occur immediately or 2 hours after my run. I've researched it on the internet and have found nothing about it. I'm keeping a journal about the occurrences for my PCP so he can try to figure out what's going on.
I wondered if any of you have every experienced this as I feel very alone and frustrated since it kind-of prevents me from increasing the intensity of my run.

Sorry if this is kind of gross, but I really need to know if anyone else has experienced this.
Thanks in advance!

drygravytrain

how long before your runs do you eat or drink?

Eirhren

I usually haven't had anything but a light snack (pretzels, saltines) at least 4 hours before I run. I drink water all day long.

newmommy2cash

You may not be eating enough to support your intense work out. You need fuel.

Dabbles

try eating a small higher protein snack about an hour before you run. See how that does. My stomach cramps bad if I don't eat more often. Esp when I first wake up in the morning.

JennLifts

usually exercise cramps are caused by not enough water.

vim_n_vigor

Look up runners trots. That may be what you are describing. There are many sites discussing how to deal with it.

JennLifts

I usually haven't had anything but a light snack (pretzels, saltines) at least 4 hours before I run. I drink water all day long.

Have you tried fueling your runs? Like a banana and a cheese stick an hour before? (protein, carb, and fat) don't wait 4 hours to run, your body is kind of low on energy at that point.

JoceyyySmall

If I am thinking of the same thing this happens to me pretty much every tuesday. I end up doing a circuits class for an hour and then do a 5k run outside with a running group by the time I get home its really late and have gone about 7 hours without eating. Its effected my stomach as it kind of cramps up and hurts even after I eat. Its also happened a couple times after an intense run on the treadmill. I think its to not an adequate eating plan during these days. Maybe try eating some kind of carb about two hours before hand and then going for a run and drink some water around then too.

I'm not sure if this really helped

kentlass

i tend to get these too(i run up to 13miles some days...8mph onthe treadmill)...sometimes so bad i'm doubled over in agony...it happens whether i eat heavy or light before a workout so i know that doesn't make a difference(for me anyways)

i remember reading about something called 'runners trots' which causes a runner to need the bathroom, or have the cramps like they need to when working out intensively

Eirhren

Yes! Sometimes it really is agony. Awful, awful, awful cramping. I've tried eating before, not eating before, tried a thorough colon cleanse, I feel like I've tried everything. It just really sucks. It's so limiting.
Thank you all for your posts! Although I do not wish this pain on anyone else, it's nice to know I'm not the only one.

gemtwist

The severity of your symptoms is a little worrisome. Abdominal pain and diarrhea are pretty common in runners, but usually symptoms are mild. In rare cases, endurance runners can get a lack of blood flow to the intestines that basically starves the gut of oxygen. Again, it's rare, but if your symptoms are really that severe, you may want to see a gastroenterologist, not just your PCP. I hope you feel better soon.