new runner abdomen pain

[stewart57]

Hi

im a relatively new runner and in tandem to starting running have lost a fair bit of weight through regulating my diet and being aware of calorie intake.
After about 6 months of success i've started getting muscular pain across my lower abdomen after my regular 8k run equal ache both sides). I'm 6ft / 83kilos (down from 95) / 40 yrs old and run 3 X 8k easy pace run per week.

Surprised to find very little on the web about this - anyone experienced this ?

Stewart

[Heidi]

Hi Stewart

Is it definately a muscular pain? I.e. does it hurt when you use the stomach muscles, for example, doing a crunch, coughing/sneezing etc?

Is it imediately after you stop running, or does it come on later in the day or the next day?

Have you been upping your mileage recently?

If it is definately muscular and comes on a while after the run, it could just be that you are overusing the abs due to a weak core.

My advice would be to strengthen the deep core muscles, as well as the more superficial abs and see if this makes an improvement.

You can find some information on core strengthening here:
http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/corestability-training1.php

[stewart57]

thanks Heidi

yes it does seem muscular (tight when i sneeze etc) and i've had a bad lower back (kids) in the past year or two so what you're saying fits. The lower abdomen is tight and a bit achey after a run and recovers over a couple of days. Seems strange it came out of nowhere though since my mileage is creeping up only slowly (trying to avoid "too much too quick injuries") and is a bit frustrating when the running shoes beckon.

cheers
Stewart

[thad412]

I agree. I would try doing some exercises to strengthen you core. You also need to make sure you are doing a good stretch before and after you run. Make sure you stretch your core. You need to be doing good warm up and cool down.