Week 8 run 3 finally done but stitch problems

[tuiliere]

I've had a rough 10 days with shoulder/back problems so have had to rest for a few days. For the first time I got a stitch after 10 min, nothing major and then after 5 mins it started to fade. Anyone know what would cause this? Well onto my final week next week and weirdly I'm starting to feel a bit sad! I like the structure and challenge of this app so much! I know I keep saying it - it's the best thing I've done for myself in years - a real life changer!

[Runner_P Graduate]

I don’t think there is a definitive answer as to why you get a stitch. I always get a stitch if I eat a main meal less than 3 hours before a run, so I try to run in the morning before breaking my fast, or late evening. Some people get stitches if they are not breathing deeply enough too. Ideally you should be belly breathing. Could it be that for you?

The running channel on YouTube has a great video on stitches, that I found useful

[tuiliere Graduate in reply to Runner_P]

Oh thank you I’ll take a look at that

[Elfe5 Graduate]

I don’t have any explanation about why they happen, but I did get some great advice on this forum for dealing with them:

Slow down, breathe in deeply & then breathe out sharply with a breathy “ha” sound a few times- it works really well for me. (Although I did startle a dog walker once!😂) Also, I found that getting a stitch was just a short phase - I rarely get them now. 😄

[tuiliere Graduate in reply to Elfe5]

Thanks for replying - I will certainly try that!