W4 R1 - not complete

[Giddys]

W4 R1 - the first run that I haven’t completed. During the second lot of 3 min run I ended up with stitch. I tried to run it off but had to stop 2 and a half min before the end. I really couldn’t go any further.

I’m going to attempt this run again today. Does anyone have any tips to avoid stitch or how to cope with it once it is happening?

Thanks

[RunBrianRun Graduate]

Oh stitch is awful. I had it for the very first time last week. The only thing I can put it down to is that I forgot my water bottle and therefore didn’t hydrate as I normally do during the day. I try to drink at least 1.5 litres of water in the day leading up to my run. It seems to work for me. Good luck!!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Well done on the run

Lots of different ideas about stitch and folk have there own ways of dealing with it

Here is a link with a few tips...

runnersworld.com/ask-coach-...

I have only had stitch, a couple of times, in the early days... I found that deep belly breathing helped me.

Hydration on all days, not just on run days or the day before a run is important. Generally any run of 5K or less, should not necessitate you carrying any water, but making sure you have a good hydration level is really paramount

Apart from that... start slow, stay slow, breathe gently and land lightly

[Elfe5 Graduate]

I often get a stitch- I breathe deeply and run extra slowly. I just recently picked up a tip on this forum - (sorry I don't remember who from, but thank you whoever you are because it's a brainwave) - to breathe out vigorously- so do a deep breath in then sharply exhale a "ha" sound ( I just do it with the air - not my voice so I don't sound like a lunatic planning some rabid revenge! ) It seems to work well, although I have only tried it once so far.

I also make sure I am well hydrated and I don't run for at least three hours after food. 😃

[Giddys Graduate]

Thanks so much for your replies. So today I attempted it again and did everything asked. Drank 2L of water during the day and didn’t eat for 2.5 hours before. During the 1st 5 min run 🏃‍♂️ I got the stitch once again. I started breathing out extra vigorous and pushed my hand into the area the stitch went until I stopped these techniques so I just continued them throughout the run 🏃‍♂️. Run complete. Looking forwards to W4 R2