Stiches.

[herewego86]

Hey everyone

I've just done w2r1 I can't believe I actually started week 2! So proud of myself lol. But how do people combat stitches? They're killing me! I had a stitch on run 2 and it just didn't happen because i could hardly breath. I get the stitch in my lower side of my ribs.

Thanks.

[Windswept1 Graduate]

Laura talks about this a bit later on. I get it if I run too soon after eating. Laura suggests taking deep breaths and tightening your abs.

You could maybe slow down as well. Good luck.

[Millie19 in reply to Windswept1]

This is tough one cod not much seems to work other than knowing your own body and when you eat before running etc however one thing I do when it's happening is breath in and then exhale as long and as hard as you can, pushing the breath out. It makes your abdomen expand. Now, doing all this while running isn't easy so slow down and just jog along until it feels like it's easing. They are a nucience though!

[Windswept1 Graduate in reply to Millie19]

Hi, I think you should have replies to herewego with this?

[mfamilias Graduate]

Yes! Well done you! I'd like to know how to deal with stitches, too - I got a killer stitch yesterday, but it coincided with a walking interval. I tried to hold myself upright (as apposed to running with rounded shoulders gaping at the tarmac) when I started to run again, and it stopped. I agree that you shouldn't run too soon after eating - I wait at least 1h30.

[MarlyParly Graduate]

Yes lots of long big deep breaths, push your stomach out like a balloon then suck in tight, good abdominal breathing basically. Once finished your run put your arms out wide & bend over from the waist quite a few times, helps ease them a bit. I also agree with windswept that you probably need to go a bit slower to avoid altogether hopefully! Hope they get better, horrid x

[herewego86]

I think I need to slow down. It definitely wasn't because I'd just ate. It was 7am and I'd not had anything since last night lol

[MarkyD Graduate]

Yes, Laura covers this in week 4.

Breathe deeply and slow down your pace if you feel a stitch coming on. And make sure that you are properly hydrated before the run. This does not mean taking a huge glug of water just before going out of the door but drinking sensibly as a life-style and sipping water1-2 hours before going running.

[goonkeepgoing Graduate]

I slow down and breathe deeply through my nose. Does the trick!

[Jase44 Graduate]

Hi HW to combat stitch. If it's on your left side, breath deep then when you hit the ground with ur right foot drop your shoulders and breath out deep from your belly upwards. Visa versa for the right side. I get a lot of stitch and find this helps a lot also I drink water before I leave stops cramps hope this helps J

[vixen214]

I've read that stitches are a result of your organs bouncing around as you run, and once you've been running for a while the abdomen muscles become stronger and you don't get them anymore. I had them throughout the first 4 weeks, but now on wk 8 and not had any since then.