Stitch

FTIM2015

I keep getting stitch when I run. In the gym I don't have a problem, but when I start running outside I get stitch. Always on my right hand side, more so across the bottom ribs on that side.

What causes it?

How do I stop it?

How do I get rid of it?!

Thanks you! :bigsmile:

IronmanPanda

Side stiches are caused usually by the muscles in the diaphram being constantly constricted.
Most runners usually always breath on certain steps in a rhythm, either right or left. Try switching it up and taking fuller deeper breathes into your belly to stretch it out.

yummy_

i was having this problem recently as well, and it sucked.
as the wise Panda said, it seems to all be in the breathing.

staying really conscious of my breathing during the run helped immensely.

i also tried the technique of inhaling deeply through my nose and exhaling fully from my mouth (i know, kinda odd, but it helped me maintain an awareness of breathing since i was tensing so much before). this practice helped me work through a stitch once it had set in.

good luck!

alpine1994

Just agreeing with everyone regarding controlling your breathing. I get the side stitch when I am running too fast and I am breathing too heavy. To get rid of the stitch I exhale sharply when my foot on the same side as the stitch hits the ground (in your case, right foot). To prevent them from happening at all, make sure your breathing is slow and steady, not quick rapid breaths.

Good luck!

FTIM2015

Thanks folks! Will have a go... fingers crossed!

cnicholej

I agree with the posts above. When I run, I breathe in as my left foot hits the ground, and exhale on my right foot. You don't have to breathe in and out each time your foot hits the ground or else you'll hyperventilate hehe. This has worked wonders for me and I always feel like I can run farther. Maybe I'm taking in more oxygen when I run? I'm not sure. But see if this will work, you can look it up on google and it will give you better instructions than mine if you would like to give it a try. Good luck!

wolfchild59

My side stitch that I get in that location is always from needing water. I don't get them when I run on a treadmill since the water bottle is right there in front of me so I tend to take a swig sooner than when I'm running outside. Outside I'm either sans water on my shorter runs or I have a hydration belt for my longer runs. But even with good hydration prior to running, I'll inevitably get a stitch on my right side that goes away as soon as I take a swig of water.

If it's a short run that I didn't bring water on, I just run through it and it eventually goes away. But those are much shorter and I'm back home and hydrating way, way sooner than my long runs so I don't ever try to just run through them on my long runs since I don't want to even risk dehydration while out on the trail.