Major stomach pain, eating too soon to run?

 Thought I would toss this out for some thoughts.  I was planning a 7 mile run early this evening and I usually tend not to eat closer than an hour to my running time, may do a small shake but no solid food.  Tonight my day sort of got away from me so I ended up eating about 1/2 an hour before my run.  My meal was a mishmosh of things including some heavy grains like quinoa and wheat berries so not sure if that added to my troubles.  About 10 minutes in to my run I had terrible stomach pain (stabbing sensations along my right side rib cage and below down to hip range) and ended up walking for about 10 minutes until it mostly eased off.  A bit later in the run I again had the same terrible stomach pain but also pain in my right back/shoulder and  extending from abdomen down my right thigh.  It lasted for maybe another 5-10 minutes (wasn't sure I was going to be able to keep going) then eased off and eventually just went away.  Normally I drink about 32 ounces of water while running and tonight I got in maybe 8 ounces and that was at the end of my run when my system had settled enough that I wasn't worried about more pain.  I was wondering if maybe it could have been some weird gas or something.  I will certainly stick to no solid foods for an hour before running for a bit longer just wondering if anyone else has had a similar problem?  thanks!

Sounds like classic gastric distress to me. I think we altered-folk have an additional complication in that eating too much right before exercise can cause similar symptoms to when you eat one bite too many with the tight feeling in the chest and the shoulder pain. My theory is that our stomachs tighten up so what was fitting fine before running now can't fit as well. Kind of like when you eat rice or bread and it expands in the stomach later.

 That makes sense and sounds like what happened as I have had no lasting problem  Thanks for the input!

My first guess as I was reading would be gas.  Nothing like carbs and fiber to bloat you up.  ouch.  You'd think the running would just help you fart it out!  (it's toxic to run behind me)

 Hehehehe excellent to know and I will try to run paced with you, not behind you, should we ever meet on the race circuit!

Could also just be a stitch, used to get them all the time. Here's the info on them taken from Wikki.

Most athletes have experienced a side stitch or side ache at one time or another during exercise. That sharp, localized twinge of pain just below the rib cage that usually occurs on the the right lower abdomen. It is particularly common in runners and has been known to slow some athletes down to a wal****il the pain subsides.

A more complicated explanation put forth by some researchers is that a side stitch is caused by stretching the ligaments that extend from the diaphragm to the internal organs, particularly the liver. The jarring motion of running while breathing in and out stretches these ligaments. Runners tend to exhale every two or four steps. Most people exhale as the left foot hits the ground, but some people exhale when the right foot hits the ground. It is the later group who seem more prone to get side stitches.

 

Tips for Preventing a Side Stitch

• Time your pre-race meal to allow it to digest prior to the event
• Avoid drinking reconstituted fruit juices and beverages high in carbohydrate and osmolality before and during exercise
• Stretching may relieve the pain of a stitch. Raise your right arm straight up and lean toward the left. Hold for 30 seconds, release, then stretch the other side.
• Slow down your pace until pain lessens.
• Massage or press on the area with pain. Bend forward to stretch the diaphragm and ease the pain.
• * If you continue to experience pain, see your doctor.

I also just paid attention to my breathing and I no longer get them. Good luck.

J

 Thanks for the info!