Side stitches when running

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Replies

  • BetterFasterStronger
    BetterFasterStronger Posts: 33
    I can totally relate! No worse feeling in your run than when your legs feel good, breathing feels and you know you could keep going but the stitch stop you :sad:

    I used to have these pretty bad as well and asked everyone and tried everything (some of which were pretty weird):

    - Plenty of water throught out the day
    - Small snack 30 minutes before the run
    - Running with elbows up
    - Running with straight arms
    - Pushing in & up where the stitch was (I read that you're essentially pushing whatever organ back into place..ridiculous? :huh: I don't know? Sometimes it worked)
    - Warm up and slower pace
    - Build core & back strength
    - Posture, etc., etc. etc.

    The advice that has worked best for me is: if you start to feel a stitch, inhale when you push off the ground on the opposite side of the stitch and regulate your breathing accordingly. Not sure if I explained that well! Good luck with your run today!
  • susanb8500
    susanb8500 Posts: 19 Member
    I focus on my breathing when I feel a stitch. I try to breathe in for two (or three) counts and out for two (or three) counts and time it to my footsteps. I concentrate all of my focus on the breath until the stitch subsides. This usually works for me and the stitch is gone within a relatively short period of time.

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