Ok basically, I run 4-5 days a week, about 4-5 miles a day. I've been running now for the past 4 months probably. I gradually worked myself up to 5 miles starting off with 1 mile about 4 months ago. Everytime I run, after about the 3rd mile I start getting an incredibly annoying and painful side stitch. This isn't just a side ache because of eating recently, because I rarely eat before I exercise. I have been running for almost 5 months, so it's not because I'm trying to suddenly run 5 miles. I don't know what the deal is, the pain increases as I sprint. I've tried pushing on it and bending over like I have heard works, but it only temporarily dulls it. Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks.

Try a banana about 1/2 an hour before running. The potassium is supposed to help with side stitches.

Drink a ton more water. Eat more bananas. Make sure you're using patterned breathing and not taking breaths whenever you feel like it.

Make sure you're using patterned breathing and not taking breaths whenever you feel like it.

Yes, I've been told you should use patterned breathing but you should inhale for two steps and exhale for three or vise versa so you don't exhale on the same leg every time (which puts more stress on that side). Seems to work for me anyway

Drink a ton more water. Eat more bananas. Make sure you're using patterned breathing and not taking breaths whenever you feel like it.

Excellent advice.

Try a banana about 1/2 an hour before running. The potassium is supposed to help with side stitches.

I'll have to try that, as I too have side stitches sometimes when I run even though I don't eat before I exercise. Thanks!!

Yes, I've been told you should use patterned breathing but you should inhale for two steps and exhale for three or vise versa so you don't exhale on the same leg every time (which puts more stress on that side). Seems to work for me anyway


Wow, I'll have to work on that too!! Thanks!!

Definitely explore the eating/hydration aspect. The only time I get stitches are when I've had A LOT of food before hand. I ate a ton of chinese one night and went for a run an hour later and could barely finish it, but otherwise I've been able to do 3 or 20 mile runs without stitching problems at all, unless I've had either a ton of food or a ton of water, though I normally do hydrate quite heavily before my runs.

incredibly annoying and painful side stitch.

http://www.brianmac.demon.co.uk/stitch.htm

The long term solution is to increase core strength so you don't have as much shock transmitted above the waist and to increase diaphragm strength so it doesn't matter as much that you jiggle your guts.

Personally, I found abdominal breathing much easier in all exercises and positions after I started doing long sets of moderate weight squats. Running got a lot easier too.

Thanks for all the suggestions, I will definately try out all of them. I am very bad about patterned breathing and lately I haven't been drinking near as much water. I had a thought the other day, I forgot I got my appendix out like a year and a half ago. Sure enough thats right where i get the side stiches. Could that possibly be causing the side stitches? There is a big gap in my abdomen basically. Any other thoughts? I appreciate the help!

http://www.brianmac.demon.co.uk/stitch.htm

The long term solution is to increase core strength so you don't have as much shock transmitted above the waist and to increase diaphragm strength so it doesn't matter as much that you jiggle your guts.

Personally, I found abdominal breathing much easier in all exercises and positions after I started doing long sets of moderate weight squats. Running got a lot easier too.

hmmm very informative website. cool, thx for sharing :tucool:

This is that pain right below your ribs on one side right?

That only happens to me if I'm either out of shape, or if I do an incredibly long, intense running workout.

this happens to me pretty regular now, it's kinda annoying.