Advice on Runner's stitch

kimbailey1982

Hi!

I've been running for about 6 months now and seem to be getting runner's cramps/stitches in my side about a mile or so into my run. Is there anything I can do to prevent them?

kk_inprogress

I've been told a few things and I'm not sure what's right but I'll share my experience.

1. Dehydration- I find I am less prone to get stitches when I am well hydrated.
2. Running too fast - I use MapMyRun and it paces me every half mile so I can make sure I'm on target and not over stressing cardiac/respiratory system
3. Breathing on even step count - I've never been able to change my breathing pattern, but someone told me if you breathe on odd step count it alleviates it.

Good luck!

Stoshew71

http://runnersconnect.net/running-injury-prevention/side-stitches-abdominal-pain-causes-and-treatments/

http://www.runnersworld.com/injury-prevention-recovery/how-to-beat-side-stitches

http://www.runnersworld.com/ask-coach-jenny/four-ways-to-stop-the-dreaded-side-stitch

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ekat120

Things that have somewhat helped me are stretching my arm on the side of my body with the stitch over my head, digging into the stitch with my thumb, and breathing out when the foot on the same side as the stitch hits the ground. What I've found most effective, though, is pushing my belly out really hard when I breath in and pulling it in really tight when I breath out until the stitch goes away. Works pretty much every time.

kimbailey1982

Thanks for the advice! I will see if any of those suggestions fix it!!

sistrsprkl

I believe I used to get that more when I didn't do a proper warm up, ie, started running too fast too quickly. If I jogged slowly for a while, it wouldn't happen.

rbiss

Back in the day I used to be on the track team and got side stiches. A coach told me to breathe out not up. It worked. Never had a side stich again.

irenehb

I use to get a stitch but haven't in months. Breathing out when you place your opposite leg from the stitch side helped. Also slowing my pace down helped.