Bad stitch

ntlbell

hi guys,

I generally run fist thing in the morning before work which means I prob haven't eaten for 12 hours or more 30 seconds or so after i start my run i develop a very painful stich which stays with me for the duration of the run.

Is it due to running on an empty stomach or?

I generally walk for about 15 minutes and spend 5 or so minutes stretching before the run..

is there anything to prevent them?

Peckham

Have never had this problem myself, but have seen stuff written about it before.

Do you drink anything before running? Can be caused by water sloshing around in an empty stomach. You don't dehydrate that much while sleeping, so shouldn't be much need for more than a small glass of water before going out first thing.

Alternatively could be something to do with your breathing - if the stitch is on your right hand side, exhale when your left foot hits the ground, or vice-versa if the stitch is on your left (someone correct me if I'm wrong on this!). Alternatively, try stretching that side of your body while running (i.e. if stitch is on your left, stretch up your left arm while running (although you'll look pretty silly!).

Maybe someone with direct experience might comment.

ntlbell

Peckham wrote: »

Have never had this problem myself, but have seen stuff written about it before.

Do you drink anything before running? Can be caused by water sloshing around in an empty stomach. You don't dehydrate that much while sleeping, so shouldn't be much need for more than a small glass of water before going out first thing.

Alternatively could be something to do with your breathing - if the stitch is on your right hand side, exhale when your left foot hits the ground, or vice-versa if the stitch is on your left (someone correct me if I'm wrong on this!). Alternatively, try stretching that side of your body while running (i.e. if stitch is on your left, stretch up your left arm while running (although you'll look pretty silly!).

Maybe someone with direct experience might comment.

Hey,

No usually out of the bed and out the door.

The stich usually starts on the left but by mid way through the run it's like hard to explain but it's like it's covered across the whole bottom of my stomach left/middle/right

911sc

Does the same thing happen if you run during the day or in the evening? may have nothing to do with empty stomac/hydration level.. could be due to weak abdominals/bad breathing technics..

ntlbell

911sc wrote: »

Does the same thing happen if you run during the day or in the evening? may have nothing to do with empty stomac/hydration level.. could be due to weak abdominals/bad breathing technics..

I'm not sure I've never ran in the evening I might try it on my next run

do you know if there is any special exercises you can do to avoid it?

racso1975

i found this happened to me when i started running by about 40 mins whole ab regional was cramped and as poster above said it seemed to be due to weak stomach muscles

Found that doing a variety of sit up's has helped no end now i will only cramp/stitch due to excess fluid

911sc

ntlbell wrote: »

do you know if there is any special exercises you can do to avoid it?

I am not trying to be smart, but have you done a bit of research with google... loads of stuff on the web about stiches, causes & remedies.
Bear in mind that what works for one may not work for you. So you may be best to do some general reading, try few things and see what works for you..

I don't really get stitches, so cannot even share my experience...I may get the odd one when i am running and having a chat at the same time. So i know a remedy that works well for me: stop talking and focus on breathing:)

gaz wac

Peckham wrote: »

Alternatively could be something to do with your breathing - if the stitch is on your right hand side, exhale when your left foot hits the ground, or vice-versa if the stitch is on your left (someone correct me if I'm wrong on this!).
.

I use this tecnique and it works great for me. but you actually exhale every second time your left foot hits the ground and also exhale 'stronger' than you normally would. My stiches used to get so bad, that if I was on a 5 mile run, i use to have to call a mate to collect me cos i couldnt even walk!! Nowadays im getting a small cramp on my left side so I just reverse the foot I exhale on and start exhaling on the right ( i.e cramp on RHS, exhale on second left.... cramp on LHS, exhale on second right)

Hope it works out for you:)