# Why does it hurt when I run? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 16, 2004, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-hurt-when-i-run/234702 "2004-03-16T21:19:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2004, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-hurt-when-i-run/234702/1 "2004-03-16T21:19:17Z")
I understand why my lungs burn. I understand the pain in my thighs and knees and feet. Why do I get abdominal pain? I always get a pain under the bottom portion of my rib cage on the right side. Its always in the same place. This happens only when I push myself. I know from others that it is pretty common to get cramping when running but what is the cause? Does it have to do with lactic acid in the muscle? If so why in the gut? I should mention that I really hate running. ---
**Author:** ![tremorviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@tremorviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tremorviolet)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2004, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-hurt-when-i-run/234702/2 "2004-03-16T22:25:26Z")
You’re talking about a _side stitch_, very common in runners. No one is exactly sure why you get them but one theory is the jogging motion stretches the ligaments below the diaphragm. This [article](http://www.hhp.ufl.edu/keepingfit/ARTICLE/stitch.HTM) mentions several techniques for getting rid of or preventing 'em. Here’s another [article](http://www.smartplay.com.au/act/Article/Pub/ArticleDetail.asp?lngArticleID=7) that goes into more detail about a possible cause. ---
**Author:** ![CairaJade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f04885/32.png) [@CairaJade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairaJade)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2004, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-hurt-when-i-run/234702/3 "2004-03-16T23:04:04Z")
Can anyone offer any sort of explaination for why the skin on my thighs itches like crazy when I run? Not with all cardio, just with running. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2004, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-hurt-when-i-run/234702/4 "2004-03-16T23:56:38Z")
Thanks Therm! Less than an hour and I get exactly what I am looking for. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2004, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-hurt-when-i-run/234702/5 "2004-03-16T23:58:08Z")
Or Tremor :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![cj\_finn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4bbf92/32.png) [@cj\_finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cj_finn)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2004, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-hurt-when-i-run/234702/6 "2004-03-17T02:12:17Z")
> [@CairaJade](#): > > Can anyone offer any sort of explaination for why the skin on my thighs itches like crazy when I run? Not with all cardio, just with running. My guess is vibration. The impact of your running stride vibrates the skin and causes the itching. I get it too. My control for this SWAG is the fact that my arms will itch like crazy after mowing the lawn (holding onto the vibrating mower handle). cj ---
**Author:** ![Duggy\_Fizzle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bb73d2/32.png) [@Duggy\_Fizzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duggy_Fizzle)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2004, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-hurt-when-i-run/234702/7 "2004-03-17T04:28:03Z")
I’ve noticed that I’m much more prone to getting “side stitches” or cramps if I’ve eaten something within a few hours prior to running. If I haven’t eaten yet that day, I almost never get those cramps. I’ve always just thought it was the digestive system fighting for its share of the oxygen to digest the food, but thats just my guess. ---
**Author:** ![eakarink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bc79bd/32.png) [@eakarink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eakarink)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2004, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-it-hurt-when-i-run/234702/8 "2004-03-18T04:49:51Z")
> [@CairaJade](#): > > Can anyone offer any sort of explaination for why the skin on my thighs itches like crazy when I run? Not with all cardio, just with running. The same thing happens to me – it’s unbearable, isn’t it? There’s a condition called urticaria, which is just a fancy way of saying “hives”; the body releases histamines in response to some kind of stimulus, which cause tissues to swell and itch. One of the kinds of urticaria is called “cholinergic urticaria,” and it can be triggered by exercise. I’m pretty sure that’s what the problem is. Here’s a site for more info: [http://allergy.mcg.edu/advice/urtic.html](http://allergy.mcg.edu/advice/urtic.html)