Avoiding Stitches

[Gylen]

I went for a run last night and it was bitterly cold.

We were trying to up our pace slightly and were running approx. 6km course with a lot of elevation at a pace of approx. 4.30 per km (which is quite quick for me).

Everything was fine until the final stretch which is uphill for a long time and I had been making good pace and feeling physically fine. Breathing well in a good rhythm and felt that my legs and feet still had plenty left in the tanks.

With no warning at all, only less than 100m from the end, I got hit with the most painful stitch I have ever had. It was honestly sorer than being stabbed (I once had the pleasure) and came on with no warning at all. I know you are meant to stand up and breath but this actually had me doubled over and for a few moments I thought I had ruptured something/died etc.

Very frustrating so close to home and doubly so given that I felt fine seconds beforehand. How can I avoid these in future? I know nothing about them (not even what causes them) so any ideas/advice appreciated...

[ewenm]

Stitches are one of the great mysteries of running. For me, it's all to do with how close to the run I've eaten. I need to make sure I leave 2 hours minimum between eating and running. The only exception to that is that I can have a banana an hour before running with no ill effects.

[drakart]

i was under the impression that it was food left in the digestive tract. The blood leaves the gut walls and the body simply leaves the food there until after the exercise. That is why it doesnt help by stopping and starting. The post above is correct in thinking that you shouldnt do exercise straight after eating. Hope that helps

[The jiffle king]

I eat 1.5 hours before a run and am ok usually, but if I've eaten a lot, sometimes I get a stitch.

Sometimes, if I have a niggliing injury, my form changes and I get a stitch. Always seem to be OK in proper races though.

T-J-K

[Gylen]

Afraid there's slim to no chance it was food. I can't eat at all before running as it makes me queasy so not sure. I have a feeling it may be a breathing thing...

[ewenm]

Gylen said:

Afraid there's slim to no chance it was food. I can't eat at all before running as it makes me queasy so not sure. I have a feeling it may be a breathing thing...

Try to ensure you breathe deeply when running. Some people, when they start to tire, start breathing very shallowly - it's something my coach sometimes picks up on with some of our group.

[Gylen]

ewenm said:

Gylen said:

Afraid there's slim to no chance it was food. I can't eat at all before running as it makes me queasy so not sure. I have a feeling it may be a breathing thing...

Try to ensure you breathe deeply when running. Some people, when they start to tire, start breathing very shallowly - it's something my coach sometimes picks up on with some of our group.

Ok thanks - that's a good call. I'll try and keep an eye on that. Was also reading today about breathing in on your left foot and out on your right - is this something you are aware of as well?

[ewenm]

Gylen said:

ewenm said:

Gylen said:

Afraid there's slim to no chance it was food. I can't eat at all before running as it makes me queasy so not sure. I have a feeling it may be a breathing thing...

Try to ensure you breathe deeply when running. Some people, when they start to tire, start breathing very shallowly - it's something my coach sometimes picks up on with some of our group.

Ok thanks - that's a good call. I'll try and keep an eye on that. Was also reading today about breathing in on your left foot and out on your right - is this something you are aware of as well?

I find that my breathing falls naturally into a rhythm anyway, I don't need to think about in on left/out on right. No idea if I breathe once pre stride or not!

Edit - was on the track this evening bashing out some fast 800m and 300m reps and took a breath about once every 3-4 strides.

Edited by ewenm on Tuesday 2nd December 22:49

[Animal]

Breathing was definitely the cure for me - deep breaths, and when I felt a stitch coming on I made sure to exhale forcefully, to the point of blowing very hard until the stitch went away.

[The jiffle king]

When I get a stitch, I tend to keep running, but exhale and bend over to the side where the stitch is. It looks a little strange, but it works for me and about 50% of the people who have seen me use it and tried themselves (I was told by an old running friend)It's a violent exhale which releives the symptoms when repeated a couple of times... Worth trying

T-J-K

[SGirl]

I used to get stitches when horseriding. The general advice was to eat a banana (for the potassium) an hour or so before getting started. Seemed to work.