Help! Stitch!

[lannahhewis]

I am doing couch to 5k and have just completed week 3. I have a real issue with getting a stitch every time I run, almost straight away on the first run.

I have tried waiting 2-3 hours after eating, breathing deeply and having a little water spread out throughout the day. Will they eventually go away when I get better at running or is there anything else that could help?

Any advice is much appreciated!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Have a read of these articles... there’s a few possible causes, but there’s advice here for prevention and also dealing with them while running runnersworld.com/uk/search/...

Great job with the running... one third of the way there.

[Irishprincess Graduate]

Are you running too fast? Try slowing right down and see if that helps, but the only thing that works for me is to breathe as if you're blowing up a balloon, ie from the belly in short bursts. I've also heard that sipping a little pickle juice works but I've never tried that.

[Hidden]

Inside Health on Radio 4 today concluded that this is probably due to the diversion of blood away from your gut to muscle and that this will go when your body adjusts. However for some their may be an association with what you have eaten/drunk; so if you notice this, make changes

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Slow down.. hydrate well every single day...and try these...

runnersworld.com/training/a...

[lannahhewis]

Thanks everyone for your advice I will try the tips above and hopefully get through week four!

[Pinkybee Graduate]

I have only ever had a stitch twice at the end of a run and on those days I didn’t have a glass of water before I went. I always down a glass of water with a hydration tablet dissolved in it before I go out. So for me hydration is key before I step out the door.

[lannahhewis]

Thank everyone for your help. I tried the water technique and it absolutely worked. Concentrating on breathing as well as slowing down my pace but building it up slowly also helped too so now I can tackle week 5!

[Tarafagan Graduate]

This happened to me on every run then randomly by week 4 I stopped getting a stitch! I think your body just adjusts to running 🤷🏻‍♀️ xx