Side stitch :(

[Laura4fit]

Hi!

Can anyone HELP?

I have ran before- even up to 20 minutes, but sometimes i get very annoying side stiches (inside the lower right part of the rib cage) and it is a shame because it happens often after only 3-4 minutes when I am not tired at all or out of breath. I have a straight back and posture, good deep breathing (should I be breathing diaphragm or lungs?) And I don't eat or drink 2 hours before running. I am not unfit at all, I have been doing intense cardio for over 5 months- cycling. Any advice?

Please Help!

Thanks,

Laura

[sparky66 Graduate]

Maybe just slow down a little ? Good luck x

[jiggles7 Graduate]

Hi Laura, maybe you could try drinking water before you run? I’ve found I can get cramps all over my body if I’m not fully hydrated and electrolytes, I take them the night before and after a run. I’m following a LCHF diet which means electrolytes set depleted easily. Maybe give them a go too. Has made a massive difference to me and the better half.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate]

Hi Laura, are you drinking enough in general? I’m pretty sure dehydration can one cause a getting a stitch. Good luck. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Tasha99 Graduate]

Make sure you’re drink loads of water the day before 👌🏽

[jessm_01]

I’m leaning towards the side of dehydration causing a stitch, however Jo mentioned on my Week 4 Run1 about stitches and she said something about pushing out your belly and relaxing it and that should help with the stitch but she also said there is research about dehydration being a cause

[Laura4fit]

Hi guys,

Thank you all so much for your replies! It's so nice to have a small encouraging community I will follow your advices on water. Does anyone know about breathing with the belly or lungs? (Pushing the belly out as jessm_01 says, or simple lungs breathing? Also do you take long breaths or small ones?

Thanks again!

Laura

[jessm_01 in reply to Laura4fit]

I’m due out again tonight, I’ll listen to what she says and let you know

[Elfe5 Graduate]

Hi Laura4fit, in addition to the above advice.. if I get a stitch I get rid of it by slowing down, taking a big breath & breathing it out sharply with a breathy “ha” sound. A few of these always does the trick (together with the slackened pace). I keep the pace down for several minutes after the stitch has gone & then build up again very gradually. If the stitch shows any sign of reappearing, I go very gently for the rest of the run. To put this into perspective- all my paces are some sort of slowness! 😂