Getting cramps while running?

Question

I am 13 years old, 5'6", and 105 pounds. I just ran the mile today for a fitness test and my time was 9:56, so I barely passed. Every single time I always get cramps in my stomach and I have to stop and rest for a while.

According to my science teacher, he said that getting cramps has to do with the way you breathe when you run. When I was running, I was breathing in and out through my mouth. Is that true?

I had to take the fitness test 7th period, and lunch is after 5th period. And all I ate for lunch was a PBJ sandwich and some water. I always get cramps when I run, and it is so annoying because I can't get my mile time to become significantly faster because of it.

How can I prevent getting cramps while running?

Answer 1

Stretch and Warm Up before running.

And don't drink water and then start running. Drink water and wait about 3 minutes before you start running.

And remember to breathe in and breathe out while running ;]

Answer 2

its bc ur body isnt used to running, so run more often, sretch

Answer 3

Cramps usually indicate that your muscles are not getting the hydration they need.  So you should drink a couple glasses of water in the couple hours before you run.  Also,  if you don't have enough potassium, your body will not be able to get the water to the cells.  When you exert yourself, you use up the potassium in your body.  So if you eat a banana, or orange or tomato at lunch (all good sources of potassium),  and drink a couple of glasses of water, you may not experience cramps.

Answer 4

...

There are cramps, and there are cramps, and then there are cramps.

Cramps that occur in the stomach while running usually, and I say usually, occur in the earliest months of running and when you particularly stress your body.

If you are not running regularly (say, 3 or 4 days a week), or if you have been running for a month or less, you are likely getting cramps because your "core" muscles - diaphragm, deep abdominals, deep back muscles, and the muscles that make up the pelvic floor, underlying your stomach and other organs, are just not used to the stress.

More plainly said, your stomach muscles just aren't used to running!

And usually, and I say usually again, you can prevent cramps while running by staying with it!  Which means running 3 or 4 times a week, 2 to 4 miles at a time.  And, in time, gradually increasing the pace at which you run.  After a few months of of this type of running schedule you likely won't experience cramps too often.

Regards,

Running_Dad

BTW, this is NOT a medical diagnosis nor medical advice!