Side Stitches that Last

Hemis_mom

Hi MPFers I have been doing the couch to 5k running program I am on week 7--On Saturday I went for my 25 minute run and got a terrible side stitch I kept running as I didn't want to give up and then yesterday my left side (side with stitch) hurt ALL DAY--I feel much better today but am hesitant to run again. Does anyone have some suggestions of ways to strengthen whatever causes these side stitches--I don't want to give up as my 5k is only 3 weeks away but I also don't want to cause unnecessary damage to myself--Any thoughts would be appreciated. This has happened before but the pain was less severe so I thought it was an abdominal muscle pull or just weakness I don't have the strongest core--but yesterday the pain was pretty bad--Today I feel fine??
Thanks
Kendra