I have forgotten how to breathe...

[Prune]

...no really! I'm making my way through all 6 runs in Week 7 (I do each week twice, for safety's sake) but have really struggled with evil stitches in the last few runs. I even had to stop for the first time to walk off the last one as it was crippling.

Argh. It's so frustrating because my legs and my lungs actually CAN do the distance, but now I've got a proper bee in my bonnet about my breathing and sometimes the stitches start when I'm doing the goddamn warm up walk

Ah well. Hopefully this can't last forever and it's just a blip. Just wondered if anyone else has 'grown out' of getting stitches?

[Irishprincess Graduate]

You're maybe running too fast. Try slowing right down and breathe in and out from your tummy as if you're blowing up a balloon. That works for me when I get a stitch mid run.

[Prune in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks IP, will definitely envisage a balloon next time.

[GettingFitter Graduate]

I use Laura's counting in 1,2,3,4, out 1,2,3,4

[TheHistoricalPresent Graduate]

Just saw a video poster in the comments of another thread on this very thing!: healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[Ruthieroo77 Graduate in reply to TheHistoricalPresent]

That was my issue too, and I am pleased to say that I have not had a stitch in the three runs I have completed since posting that request for help.

I now don't eat or drink anything from 2 hours prior to the run, and do 3:2 breathing rather than 4:4. It has helped massively!

Dont give up. The stitches are frustrating but you may find with a bit of tweaking you can get rid of the buggers.

I have one run left before I graduate!

[baronblaze]

I agree with Ruthieroo. I don't use any breathing techniques but anytime i do get stitch is when i have eaten or drank something of substance(like milk) within 2 hours of running. I can't remember ever getting stitch when i have run on an empty stomach.

[Anaverageman Graduate]

well I find if i feel a stitch coming ON, I slow right down it fades.. didn't know the thing about ' not eating for 2 hours beforehand' , but when i RUN.. if I haven't eaten ( like first thing in the morning) my legs feel like lead? Oh the dilemma..