Running + stitch

Fee1804

I run a couple of times a week- mainly do fitness classes. However majority of time when I run I end up with a stitch like pain either on one of my sides or both. I know my posture isn’t the best when running- could this be related??

Lietchi

In my experience, stitch like pain comes on when you run too fast for your fitness level.

I used to get side stitches all the time in gym class when I was younger - going full throttle but not fit enough for what I was trying to do.

I started running again last November, very slow jogging on the C25K program and gradually increasing difficulty and speed. Not a single side stitch during the entire past year.

Try running more slowly, at a speed slow enough to allow you to still speak without being winded?

spiriteagle99

Usually side stitches come from running too fast for your fitness. When you are more fit, they usually stop. They can also be a result of drinking or eating during or just before a run.

MaltedTea

Breath modification was a good pain management/moderation technique when I was running longer distances. It hasn't been an issue for my occassional little Fartlek runs recently.

For those longer runs back in the day, I never thought to relate the feeling to what I ate (and since I'm not a fast runner, per se, I definitely don't think it was a pace issue).

Fee1804

Thanks for comments. My pace if anything has got slower as I’m not running as much as I did during spring/summer time.

briscogun

I know for me I used to get them but now I run fasted (or maybe like 30 minutes after a cup of coffee in the morning) and I haven''t had any issues. If I do eat first I have to wait like at least an hour before running/exercising or I'll get a stitch/cramp.