Random side stitches? Thoughts?

ashlielinn

For the past week or so, I've gotten some pretty painful side stitches while running. I'm certainly not new to it. I've been running at least four days a week (but usually six or seven) for the past three months or so. I've worked my way up to between 5 1/2 and 6 1/2 miles at a 7 1/2 min/mile pace (on average...some miles are faster, some a little slower). I drink, at the very least, eight cups of water a day, and very often eat a banana about 2 hours before I work out (so I'm getting some potassium). Just wondering if any one else has ever had this problem, or knows anything about it. I'll be honest, I usually just run through the pain until it goes away, but it's pretty uncomfortable!

deadstarsunburn

Maybe you're drinking too much right before you run, not drinking enough through out the day. Or this is my problem lol I forget to breathe when I run and than my side hurts usually it's accompanied with my right shoulder hurting between my collar bone. So make sure you're breathing! You may even be pushing yourself too hard.

iamMaLisa

i get those when i catch myself holding my breath, so i try to make myself breathe deeper a few times and it eases up, not sure if that helps?

iamMaLisa

i get those when i catch myself holding my breath, so i try to make myself breathe deeper a few times and it eases up, not sure if that helps?

ImKindOfABigDeal40

Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. I do think it has something to do with breathing.

dragonflytwt

I got a really bad one the other day, did some research online and found that I wasn't drinking enough before my workout, at least a glass of water before and I wasn't breathing properly. Once I concentrated on my breathing while I was running, went away quick. Good luck!

RMinVA

I hardly ever get them, and when I do, they are usually food related (eating less than an hour before a workout). But that doesn't sound like your issue.

I agree with taking a look at your water intake: if you are running a lot, you probably need to drink more than 8 glasses a day, especially at this time of year. We often don't realize just how much we sweat due to the drier/cooler air. I am always surprised at how drenched I am when I get back from outdoor runs in the winter. I hardly ever feel like I'm sweating.

If you recently picked up your pace, that could have a role in them too. Maybe change to intervals instead.

deadstarsunburn

looks like a lot of people said breathing, another tip I learned from my cross country coach in high school was breathe in two steps out one. Takes some getting used to but it definitely helps

ashlielinn

Thanks, everyone! I've been wondering if it has something to do with my breathing. We'll see how it goes tonight!

Shannon023

I'm prone to them too and what helps me is if the stitch is on the right side then I exhale when my left foot hits the pavement. Don't know why it works, but it does.

ashlielinn

I'm prone to them too and what helps me is if the stitch is on the right side then I exhale when my left foot hits the pavement. Don't know why it works, but it does.

LOL love this theory!

aquapussy

Maybe you're drinking too much right before you run, not drinking enough through out the day. Or this is my problem lol I forget to breathe when I run and than my side hurts usually it's accompanied with my right shoulder hurting between my collar bone. So make sure you're breathing! You may even be pushing yourself too hard.

Hey I thought it was just me but I get that weird collar bone thing as well!

As for the side stitches I got them all the time when I started jogging. Now the key for me is to warm up by jogging slowly for the first 5 minutes, and breath through my diaphragm. I still get them occasionally if I go too hard without easing into it. To get rid of them I force myself to breath through the diaphragm (this usually hurts like hell) until it goes away.
Bottom line is, try to start out slower and ease into the serious workout phase.