MNers, runners, any idea what I've done?!

[wigparty]

After a few months of running, we ran for just over 50 mins yesterday, our longest run yet

All felt fine during the run, but later in the evening and so far today, it feels like I've got a very sharp stitch behind my ribs (just below left nork). I feel it particularly when I breathe in.

Anyone know what I've done? It's not stopping me from walking around or anything, but we were planning to run tomorrow evening and I'm not sure whether to or not.

Thanks in advance

[misi]

you may have strained an intercostal muscle. running tomorrow is probably not a good idea

[wigparty]

Thanks Misi. I don't know what a muscle strain in that area feels like so I wasn't sure what I'd done! Better leave the running for tomorrow, thanks again.

[misi]

the intercostals are the muscles around the ribs. they help in expanding and contracting the rib cage to allow expansion of the lungs when exercising etc. they can lead to sharp pains under the ribs when the lungs expand and so force the ribs to expand too. they can hurt like crazy during expansion and ease when the ribs contract again. the pain can be like needles sticking in your sides. steady calm breathing is best to minimise the pain and exercise is not advised until the muscles get better. if after 7 days the pain has not gone or the pain gets worse, a trip to the doc is highly reccommended!! I used arnica gel on my ribs when I did this many years ago rather than ibrufen gel (latest research says that arnica gel is just as if not more effective than ibrulieve without the possible side effects!!)

[wigparty]

that does sound like what I've done then, although it doesn't feel too severe. I'll take it easy and won't run tomorrow, I'm getting addicted though

I'll look out for arnica when we go shopping this evening.

Thank you!

[misi]

www.avogel.co.uk/Atrogel.php

this is the brand that has the product licence to enable it to claim medicinal use.
hopefully just a minor strain then so should go without complication.