What’s the deal with stitches?

[Trying2run]

Am I the only person who gets them? Anyone know why or how to prevent them?

They’re not destroying my run but thy are kinda annoying.

Thanks x

[misswobble Graduate10]

What makes you think no-one else gets stitch? 😁 everyone does at some point

Slow down

Eat after your food has digested, say an hour to 90 mins after a meal

Don’t be too hungry before a run.

Hills can really jiggle your middle About I find, either going up,or downhill. Try and keep your arms moving back and forth - pocket to socket- never arms swinging across your body

When you next get stitch, stop! Bend down and slowly touch your toes. Then come back up slowly and reach for the sky, both arms upward to the heavens, and then with your feet planted on the ground stretch up as if trying to peer over a tall hedge 🙂. Then with your arms still up, lean slowly over into the side of your stretch. Then do the same on the other side. Then you can carry on. I often get stitch when running my trail as it’s so undulating

Good luck 😃

[Trying2run Graduate10 in reply to misswobble]

Brilliant what a wealth of good advice. Thanks so much. I’ll try all of that

[ju-ju- Graduate10]

Eating before a run can cause a stitch. As Can all sorts. We all get them, it’s very normal, just very annoying!!

[Bazza1234 Graduate10]

All I can remember about running when I was younger (in the Military) - is STITCHES. I started my new running career 4 years ago at age 67 - have never had one stitch since then. I can only think of two things - I learned not to run too fast and more importantly, I also learned to breathe "rhythmically" . Don't listen to people who say to just run "naturally" - there is no such thing , most things that adults do have been learned. The only people who run "naturally" are children and children do not run for long distances.

[Trying2run Graduate10]

I hadn’t eaten as I ran at sunrise yesterday so it must be speed or breathing.

Who knew running was actually really complex ha ha

Thank for your posts. Nice to know we all suffer at some point

[Realfoodieclub Graduate10]

A football coach once told me if you get stitch. Shout a very loud HAAAAAAA from your inner depths. It helps to dispel trapped air that can sometimes cause stitch. I get some weird looks but it does work.

[davesmith]

Hi, I am no expert on this, but the only times I have developed a stitch was when I had forgotten to take a drink of water before going out. I believe hydration plays an important part here, maybe you need to drink more before a run? I normally go out first thing in the morning before eating anything, and I have been doing 3 5k runs every week since graduating in November. Hope this helps!

[Trying2run Graduate10]

Thanks. I’m off to shout haaaaaaa whilst sipping water.

Cheers

[C25KKate Graduate10]

Hi, I’d agree with davesmith try some extra fluid before a run. I’ve also heard deep breathing is important too.