Sleep = Good
There’s an 8:30 a.m. BodyPump class on Saturdays at my gym, so I figured I’d flip flop my Friday and Saturday workouts in favor of a little extra sleep time this morning. (Stay tuned for a BodyPump overview post tomorrow!)
Instead of the ‘Pump, I leashed up the pup for a run outside.
I intended to do a large loop that typically takes about 50 minutes to complete.
About 10 minutes into my run, as I was breathing in and out, a BUG flew in my MOUTH! Ick. After hacking and spitting for a good minute, our run resumed.
Not long after the creepy crawly incident, I had to stop again, this time due to some serious cramping. 🙁
Do you ever get cramps when you work out?
I usually run without cramps unless I eat something too soon before a run. That was not the case today, so I couldn’t understand why I kept cramping up!
I think my water intake was much lower than normal yesterday, so that may have been a contributor.
The cramping was really strong in my left side, so I took a long walking break and finished the run by alternating running and walking. Surprisingly Sadie and I finished the whole loop in 55 minutes, only 5 minutes slower than we usually do when we run the whole thing.
Preventing the Side Stitch
After my cramping incident, I looked up ways to prevent future side stitches and found the following tips (source):
- Take even, deep breaths while running.
- Time your eating. Having food in your stomach during a workout may increase cramping by creating more force on the ligaments (Avoid eating one to two hours before a workout).
- Stretching may prevent or relieve a cramp. 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.
- Breathe deep to stretch the diaphragm.
- Drink before exercise. Dehydration can increase muscle cramps.
- Massage or press on the area with pain. Bend forward to stretch the diaphragm and ease the pain.
Breakfast
Even though my run wasn’t exactly amazing, it still felt good to get outside and sweat with Sadie.
I came home and made myself a cold and super-thick green monster.
Blend Me Up!
Check out all that spinach!
My smoothie included:
- 1.5 scoops chocolate protein powder
- 1.5 tbsp. cocoa powder
- 1 frozen banana
- An entire salad’s worth of spinach
- Water
- Pinch of Bob’s Red Mill xanthan gum
Two things surprised me about this smoothie:
- It still tasted really creamy when I used water instead of milk
- Xanthan gum is no joke! That stuff really thickened up my smoothie! Love it.
Green Monster
Delish
Because I feel the need to eat something, not just drink something, in the morning, I also had a piece of lightly buttered toast.
Toast
I’m so happy it’s Friday!!! 😀
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Gahhhh I hate cramps. I rarely get them too, unless I’ve eaten/not drank enough. That is some massive spinach!! 🙂
I hate cramps, someone wrote a post about cramping yesterday and I can’t remember who the hell it was. Of course now I can’t find it. Ugh, I’m going to keep looking.
Aw, sorry about the cramps!
Do you drink water before you workout? It may be a good idea to have a glass!
I know you don’t eat anything early morning (I don’t either, too early!), but you probably could use some water since you’ve been sleeping all night and the body needs it! Just a suggestion 🙂
oh my heck i looooooooooooooove that picture of that puppy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cramps happen…I get them sometimes too. What makes them go away is to deep breathe! Breathe deep in through your nose and then blow ALL your air out. Repeat it until it goes away. This is usually what I do and I slow my pace a tad and it usually nips it in the bud!
Toast is always a must for me! good thinkin! and i had some killer cramps during my run yesterday–thanks for the tips.
I’ll get a cramp every now and then when I’m running…usually it goes away if, like you mentioned, I slow down a bit and gently push into the area with pain. Sometimes I know it happens because I’m dehydrated, but other times it seems to make no sense at all!
Sorry about the bad run 🙁
Is that a puppy in that picture? Did you get a new puppy?
not my puppy! i wish… 😉
Sorry about your run. I know I cramp up sometimes when I am not properly hydrated.
Have a great Friday!
That puppy pic is so freakin cute!
I HATE when I get a cramp while running.. Usually it’s if I’m not breathing properly while running (like if you hold your breath by accident witout realizing it), or if I’d had something carbonated.. Happy Friday!
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I hate muscle cramps. For some reason, I get them on the treadmill way more than in real life?
Your first pic is the cutest thing ever. Hope you have a great Friday!!
LOVE the gums (xanthan & guar) they are life changing! thanks for the side stitch advice!
Hi Julie,
What kind of blender do you have? The one I have doesn’t “blend” very well. I am looking for an inexpensive/reliable blender to make my smoothies. Thanks!
hey kara! my blender is super old! the brand is KRUPS. it’s old but it works! 🙂