My husband has just started getting a stitch on the final minute of the run?

[Sassy1]

He is about to do wk9r3 and this has just started from wk8. I have suggested less water while he runs and trying to slow his pace towards the end both of which he has tried. Just looking for any other thoughts or suggestions..

Thanks

[mrslazy Graduate]

Running on empty is the best, I mostly run around 6.30 am before work and haven't had stitch since I started. If you have eaten too much or too near running this is when I find stitch occurs.

[Anniemurph Graduate]

Deep belly breathing might help, rather than shallower breathing from the chest. Laura explains it somewhere but I'm sorry I can't remember which week. And she says something much more elegant than 'deep belly' Good luck - I hope he can get it sorted. He's so nearly there now!

[mrqwest Graduate]

My wife used to suffer terrible stitches when she went running and we got it down to either eating too close to running or drinking too much whilst running... So now, she doesn't eat for 2 hours before a run and unless she's running for an hour, doesn't take any water with her on her runs, and now the only time she gets a stitch is when she disobeys the rules about running & eating!

[lolb Graduate]

I too always run on empty - most of my runs are first thing but if they are later I will either eat just a banana an hour before I go out or leave a minimum of two hours after eating before I run. Similarly, I only take water on longer runs - don't bother on anything 5K or under - if hubby feels he really needs it would suggest an occasional sip just to moisten his mouth. Touch wood I have never had a stitch which was a surprise to me as I was very unfit at the start but this maybe explains why.

[LMS2110 Graduate]

Yep, Im with the others re running on empty! I'm another early morning runner and believe I keep myself well hydrated most days and nights, so running without an early morning drink or carrying a bottle is fine! (The programme only requires about 35 mins out, so this isn't a problem) Upon getting home a large glass of water and sometimes a banana too keeps stitches and cramps at bay!

I've never had a stitch and am currently increasing my time out and distances.

Hope hubby sorts the problem soon - and good luck for his imminent graduation run!

Cheers, Linda x

[Sassy1 Graduate]

Thanks all for the advice, he went out without water tonight and ate hours before the graduation run no stitch til the very very end. He also managed to do 6k in 34 mins for his last run!! So I'm thinking a stitch at that point wasn't so bad.

Thanks again.