7 replies to this topic

[Olmy]

I have notices that the past few times I run in the afternoon I get stitched for the first 10-15 mins, but never when I get up an run early and was wondering what caused them and what I could do to prevent them.

When running in the PM I don't run for a couple of hour after food, but I do drink water. When running in the AM I just roll out of bed, have a glass of water of two and head out.

And similarly, what is the best way to deal with a stitch, walk it out? Push through? Slow down?

[walshy2]

Olmy, on Apr 6 2008, 09:57 PM, said:

I have notices that the past few times I run in the afternoon I get stitched for the first 10-15 mins, but never when I get up an run early and was wondering what caused them and what I could do to prevent them.

When running in the PM I don't run for a couple of hour after food, but I do drink water. When running in the AM I just roll out of bed, have a glass of water of two and head out.

And similarly, what is the best way to deal with a stitch, walk it out? Push through? Slow down?

magnesium supplements like Endura may help

[Bellthorpe]

I run an hour or so after eating, and don't get stitches. In the past, when I occasionally got a stitch, this worked for me without fail.

Keep running. When exhaling, at the end of the breath force all remaining air from the lungs with a conscious effort, a sort of 'whoosh' thing.

Do this for each breath for as long as it takes ...

[balfey]

I've had problems with stitches myself, there's plenty of info on other threads but here's a few that worked for me:

• As Bellthorpe said, breathe right out and push all your air out.
  
• I've also found breathing deeply (ie. ensure I'm breathing right down into the 'bottom' of my lungs) helps prevent a stitch if I feel it coming on. I've also heard people say this leads to stitches, but it seems to work for me.
  
• If (like me) you breathe 2in-2out, you're always starting to breathe in and out on the same foot. for example, you step on the right with empty lungs starting to breathe in, then left half full. Then right with full lungs starting to breath out, then left with half empty lungs. I've found switching feet can help get rid of a stitch (but it really hurts for a few seconds first). Hope that one made sense

cheers
balfey

[Olmy]

walshy2, on Apr 6 2008, 09:00 PM, said:

magnesium supplements like Endura may help

Well, I already take a multi regularly. I'll check if it has magnesium in it.

[Shoesandsox]

Olmy, on Apr 7 2008, 04:50 PM, said:

Well, I already take a multi regularly. I'll check if it has magnesium in it.

I've read all sorts of things and the short answer seems to be noone knows for sure. I don't usually get stitches, and when I do I can normally push through. But I still can't find the common factor.

[lexah]

I got a stitch yesterday running the 10k race, after the first water stop. Will run with my fuel belt from now on as then I can take smaller sips when I feel like it rather than trying to gulp a cup of water when I'm really thirsty! Lasted about 4kms. I just try and breathe deep, and I tend to press where the stitch is and that sorta alleviates the pain...

[Didge]

Bellthorpe, on Apr 6 2008, 09:22 PM, said:

I run an hour or so after eating, and don't get stitches. In the past, when I occasionally got a stitch, this worked for me without fail.

Keep running. When exhaling, at the end of the breath force all remaining air from the lungs with a conscious effort, a sort of 'whoosh' thing.

Do this for each breath for as long as it takes ...

This works for me, athough sometimes if it is a particularly bad stitch I have to slow down a bit and put my hands behind my head while exhaling