I'm so close to finishing.... the weather last week stopped me in my tracks, I had one run left to complete, I tried going out one day but the ground was too frozen and it was too cold for me. I did some fairly hard fitness videos at home so I wasn't sitting around doing nothing, and I've tried the run again THREE TIMES since and cannot do it! I got stitch twice halfway through and had to stop. The third time I thought I'd try a morning run before eating but just didn't have enough energy to even make it half way.
Any advice? The only thing I can eat before a run is porridge, and I usually eat a good three hours before running. Still the stitch!
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paravani
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More fluids will often help with a stitch, so maybe worth upping those the day before your next run. Slowing down will often help. Are you heading out to fast in your eagerness to finish the programme. Hope it goes well next time.
Good to know about upping fluids the day before, that hadn't occurred to me. Yes it's possible I'm starting too fast, I try to keep a good steady slowish pace but I'll definitely keep this in mind, thank you!
I've always associated stitches with breathing. If I feel a stitch coming I can usually stop it in its tracks with regular breathing, as deep as poss. Same if I'm cycling.
Are you trying to go too fast, which might be making you breathe more shallow?
That's really interesting as I thought deeper breathing made it worse! I'll try it next time it happens. Yes it's definitely possible I'm starting too fast, although I feel like I get into a good breathing rhythm but slowing down can't hurt! Thank you
Hydration can be a thing too, remember the saying drink today for running tomorrow... I never knew that but hydration helps a lot
It was new to me too and then I got a right roasting from my GP for dehydration which she reckoned could be causing my migraines.. Funnily enough since she mentioned it I’ve only had one. Never ever too old to learn a lesson!
As everyone has already suggested: drink more the day before and a glass before you head out and start very slowly. You are probably going too fast: remember you should be able to hold a conversation while running. Also, because it's your graduation run, you might be more tense, which would cause your whole body to gasp for more air and cause the stitch. So try to relax and don't think ahead: enjoy the moment, the second you run. If you feel the stitch coming, slow down and breathe slowly (belly breathing if you can) but deeply. See if it helps... You'll make it!! You've done it twice already, so absolutely no reason why you wouldn't finish this run and graduate
UPDATE: I did it! Went out on my lunch break and kept in mind the advice to breathe deeply. I did this when I felt the odd twinge in my side and it worked. My fastest time too, even though I was trying to stay steady and not rush. Now looking forward to building on what I've achieved so far. Thanks so much for your input, it really helped!
Hi paravani ...if I feel a stitch coming on I push my stomach out when I’m breathing, dig my fingers under my ribs & slow down...that seems to work for me...it’s only happened a couple of times though...good luck
Congratulations on graduating and thanks for posting about your stitch situation.
I had read before going the advise from Jo and Jan re breathing and hydration.
Mj cut in on my last wk 7 run ,in the final minute, and possibly switched a light on.Good onya Michael.
He said remember your muscles need more oxygen when you are running.Wish I could have a conversation, but he is busy with other stuff ?
I thought of Jo& jan and you paravani, surely Michael would have said if it put you at higher risk of a stitch.
So all the advise should be practised if it eliminates the problem for runners until a more definitive position can be concluded. My opinion more oxygen cannot logically do this long term. Maybe it is only confusing until we develop further.
Run slow, it is a training run after all, all tension should be avoided,hydrate generously,I do not know anything about this belly breathing technique?, but certainly however and whatever you find comfortable with taking on as much oxygen as you can and remeber to exhale comfortably frequently your CO2 also, as highlighted yesterday by Jan and Mentor IT.
Interesting and I am not pushing MJ, but his gems compliment all the previous ones, his body set up is all to achieve, no tension , max oxygen to the muscles, good blood flow through your neck area, it all hangs together.If I experienced a stitch I would not stop folowing his advise to date, I would look some where else for the solution.
Thank you for bringing this to the forum and contributing to our quest for solutions to problems.
I’ve not read all you replies so sorry if Im repeating but balloon breathing makes a real difference to me when I’ve got stitch in the past. When you breath in push your stomach out so you are breathing into the bottom of your stomach, it a yoga breath really but it has helped me . Good luck x
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Celebratory W9R3 completed!
Ta da! W9R3 complete!
W9R3 complete go me 😀
W9r3 Completed- Thanks to Everyone in This Forum for All Your Help, Guidance and Plain Inspiration!
HOOZAH! W9R3 COMPLETED!!
