I’ve lived in my new place for almost 6 months now. I knew about a local park, but never went there to run. Bry and I went there once to try and fly a kite, but that’s another story. Yesterday after work I decided that I’d go check it out! Trail running is interesting because it feels like you are running in sand. The trail had mainly small pebbles and when I ran over it, it felt like I was going to slip and fall. However, no falling for me!
The path itself was really hilly. I haven’t ran hills in quite some time, so I know the course will take some time to get used to. My plan is to run on the trail at least 3x a week. I want to make sure to cross train as well with some weight lifting and group fitness classes. I think yoga and Zumba are in my near future.
I knew that the course would be difficult once I walked up to the park. All I saw were hills. Lots and lots of hills. The photo above doesn’t even do it justice. That was just one quarter of the park. I ended up walking/running for 3 miles and finished at 31:49. BLEH. I was running a lot slower than normal. I even felt like at some moments I was moving in slow motion. About 3 minutes into my run, I started to get a side stitch again. I’ve been getting them more frequently than usual lately.
A side stitch is a sharp pain that usually is on the right side of the body just below the rib cage. It is caused by a cramp in the diaphragm, gas in the intestines, or food in the stomach.
The Runner’s World website mentions some really good tips to running through the pain:
- Slow down for 30 seconds and exhale forcefully when your left foot hits the ground (if pain is on the right side)
- Belly breathing: abdomen should push in and out when you inhale and exhale
- Run with hands on top of head and elbows back as you breathe deep
I will definitely try out these remedies next time a cramp comes on while running!
After 31:48 of pure hell, I sat in the grass and stretched a bit. I’m going to head over to the park again today and hopefully have a better run than yesterday. Progress, people!
On an unrelated by amazing note, when I came home I realized that I had Fifty Shades Darker in my purse. My co-worker lent me it yesterday, because I finally finished the first book! I can’t wait to start it. If you want me to review the first book, let me know in the comments below. I heard that they may be making a movie out of the series, and that Alexander Skarsgård may be playing Christian. Eh, I’m hoping for Chris Hemsworth.
See, he agrees. He wants to play Christian just for me. =)
What do you do when you have a side stitch while running?
Are you reading the Fifty Shades series? What do you think?
Who do you think should play Christian and Anastasia?
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I read all three Fifty Shades books in the trilogy in a week and LOVED them – the second and third books were my favorites.
that’s what everyone keeps saying– that the 2nd is the best! i’m only on the 3rd chapeter, but good so far!
I HATE side stitches. I have to wait a full hour after eating to run or I get them bad!
It’s been worse lately. I’ll try to monitor what I’m eating pre-runs from now on! BLEH.
I used to get them a LOT, so I had to really monitor what I ate beforehand. Luckily, they’ve stayed away!
Also, I am interested in the 50 Shades series, but I can’t get my hands on them! I feel like I’ll be in the dark for a while. 😉
I get side stiches if I start out a run too fast, but it usually passes as I run longer. I want to read 50 shades of grey, but I’m a little hesitant because everyone who reads it gets so sucked into the series. I’d love to hear your review!
I rarely get a side stitch, but every now & then I’ll get one out of the blue. I didn’t know there were specific things to do to stop the pain; I’ll have to keep those tips in mind!
Hey Nic!
I finished the third book, Fifty Shades Freed, last week. The 2nd book was my favorite though! The first one was just so badly written but the writing either got better or I just stopped noticing it by the 2nd book. Happy Reading!
Oh and I’m with you on how much side stitches suck. They are always cramping my style (pun intended!).
Hey Bridg! Thanks for commenting! I heard the 2nd was a lot of people’s favorites. I can’t wait to start reading!