lower abdomen pain

[Fitz0017]

Over the last few weeks I have been having a fairly sharp pain in my lower abdomen when running my 3 mile course. I stretch thoroughly and eat about an hour or longer before the run and wonder if anyone has experienced this or possibly know the cause?? it seems to occur when I am in a point in my stride where I may be stretching the abdomen slightly. It is fairly painful but not enough to stop running.

Thanks for any help

[kaypeeoh]

I've had something similar. The doctor said my hip flexors are too tight and pulling on the lower abdominals. It started when I was running repeats up and down a steep hill. He suggested yoga.

[Fitz0017]

Thanks, I actually found a flexibility Yoga tape and I'll give it a shot.

[Frederick]

Hi Fitz,

I used to experience this during my runs in high school. We were never able to ascertain the root cause of the pain (it very well could be as kaypeeoh suggests that our hip flexors are too tight), however stretching immdiately after a run completely alleviated the issue.

Even now, immediately after my runs and the cool down period, I stretch thoroughly (I always stretch after, never before).

It's worked for me. Give it a try, and hopefully it'll cure the issue for you too.

Best of luck!