Eating, wait time and stitches?

[Squeakypoptest]

My wife says I should wait 2 hours after eating before running to avoid getting stitches. I thought it was more to do with drinking water and getting oxygen to the muscles. I don't actually get stitches (yet) but are either of us right?

[I_can_run Graduate]

Laura thinks mainly breathing and perhaps hydration! I used to get them terribly at school but haven't had the at all doing the programme much to my surprise and that may be because i have been leaving it 2 hours after meals per your wife. My personal guess is the long warmup. While my gadget tells me at the end of my runs my heartrate is well up there it is taking me at least 8 or 9 mins to get there while at school peak physical activity was reached in seconds!

[Squeakypoptest Graduate in reply to I_can_run]

I'm really enjpying this C25K malarkey. It's doable and it makes me feel good. Maybe it is the long warmups.

I hated PE at school. 4 laps round a freezing all-weather pitch then netball or hockey, which I was rubbish at, or if our mean PE teacher was away we had to do Welsh Country Dancing which meant being shouted at by a physically violent Deputy Head and holding hands with the boys

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Running before food has settled may give you stitches but it is more likely to make you feel very uncomfortable.

Read the guide to the plan healthunlocked.com/couchto5... for basic advice.

I am not going to settle your arguement because as far as I know there may be several causes of stitch and so you may both be correct.

Regarding hydration, it is often said that poor hydration can cause a stitch, but then again, so can drinking while running........like so many things in the running world, you can find opposing views wherever you look.

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

I've always found breathing to be the main cause of stitches, not keeping it regular and not getting enough oxygen in.

I would wait at very least an hour after eating. I never run on a full stomach. I usually run before dinner. Food tastes so much better when you've earnt it! 😂

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

IannodaTruffe has given you some great advice Each of us have different ideas and experiences...

[Squeakypoptest Graduate]

My wife sees this thread as vindicating her. And I see it as proving I might be right too. All harmony in the Squeakypop household!