Advice on Stitch

[Fatgirlslimmer]

I'm just starting out and find that I'm getting really bad stitch when I run - any advice on stretches to help prevent stitch? I know I need to keep my water intake up and work on my breathing but any advice on other ways to defeat this would be greatly received!

Thanks in advance!

[poeciliareticulata Graduate]

I actually find that drinking lots before I run makes me more likely to get stitch. I drink enough (about 500ml) about an hour before I run, then sip a bit of water immediately before to make sure my mouth isn't too dry. I then rehydrate afterwards. It's a delicate balance between not drinking enough and getting stitch for me. The breathing thing really does help too although I can't do the belly breathing while I run, I have to walk for a bit and do it but it gets rid of the stitch in a few breaths. Happierswimming has lots of good advice on this

[CaroleC Graduate]

Hi,

The advice that I've read is to push your fist into where the stitch is and breathe out while pushing out against your fist. You can do this while still running or slow to a walk and do it. Also, possibly just slow down a bit in your run intervals for a run or two and see if that helps.

CaroleC

[Fatgirlslimmer]

I've just been out for a walk (I've been walking at least 2 miles most weekday lunchtimes for the last 15 weeks) and normally I'm feeling fine on the walks, keeping it brisk but still able to talk, but today I felt pretty bad just setting out. I feel like I've got a bowling ball in my stomach and close to the end I got stitch which I've not got when walking before! I felt so good last night to have started W1R1 but feeling deflated today - I think I must have pulled some muscles around the bottom of my rib cage and now that's effecting my breathing and making me get stitch when walking

I'm wondering if it's a lack of support around my stomach when I run (it's a fair bit flabby so I guess it's gonna be bouncing up and down a bit when I run) not sure what I can do about that though :-S

[CaroleC Graduate]

Hi again,

You could try some basic exercises for your "core" which will strengthen up that lower stomach and pelvic area of your body. Try these: realsimple.com/health/fitne...

There are loads more out there so see what you can Google!

CaroleC

[Beads Graduate]

Control knickers!

I wear a sports bra to stop the boobs bouncing and control knickers to stop the belly bouncing (after week 2 or 3, when I had a nagging ache in my belly under the overhang). Since then, no problems.

[George42 Graduate]

I don't know if this is right or not but it helped me.

I read that if you breathe in and out on different feet it helps prevent stitches.

So I breathe in for a count of 4 and out for 3, So every time I breathe in it's on a different foot.

I used to get a lot but I rarely get them now, but that is probably due to conditioning, but I think breathing like this did help me get rid of stitches.