A stitch in time

Crooked Jack

Id really appreciate some advice or info here.
I'm going well at the running (for a fat bastard anyhow) and Im running every other day. Walking when Im not running.
I recently upped my route to one around four miles or so and while Im physically well fit for it I get this awful stitch about 3/4 of the way around.
It forces me to stop and walk for a bit even though Im not tired or anything.
I always stretch, I've tried eating, not eating, breathing deeply or quick and shallow.
Anyone know what causes it or what can be done to combat it. It's not like an annoyance, it's seriously painful.

Anything at all appreciated. Thanks.

ger664

Try slowing down. You don't have to run every run flatout.

Kurt Godel

The best opinion on stitches is that they are caused by your diaphram (breathing) and your stomach (digestion) fighting each other for blood. If you've tried shallow breathing, and that doesn't work, you're probably better off treating the stitch as a limiter on your current fitness, and running at a pace that is beneath where the stitch occurs. If this slow pace is annoying you as regards progress, maybe try running slow and longer. As your fitness increases, and your body gets used to the stress, you should be able to start running faster before a stitch hinders your progress.

No idea if it works, but before I run I jam my hand under my ribcage on each side and almost massage the area. When I get them running I do pretty much the same. Used to get them more frequently, they kinda disappeared as fitness improved.

Crooked Jack

Thanks folks. I suppose it's just one of those things you cant avoid.

menoscemo

Crooked Jack wrote: »

Thanks folks. I suppose it's just one of those things you cant avoid.

Have you actually read the replies? That is not the conclusion you should come to..... Slow down and you most likely won't get a stitch..

Crooked Jack

menoscemo wrote: »

Have you actually read the replies? That is not the conclusion you should come to..... Slow down and you most likely won't get a stitch..

I have indeed. I meant as in there's no magic stretch or twist you can do (I'll try the massaging under my ribcage thing though). All advice is very much appreciated. Ill just have to take it down a notch, try and keep it under 50mph.

ThePiedPiper

OP, another couple of suggestions:
Make sure you don't eat any sort of a meal for at least 1.5 or maybe 2 hours before running.
Don't bother taking drinks with you. Unless you're running completely in your comfort zone, chugging on drinks can bring on a stitch too.

Crooked Jack

RunForestRun wrote: »

OP, another couple of suggestions:
Make sure you don't eat any sort of a meal for at least 1.5 or maybe 2 hours before running.
Don't bother taking drinks with you. Unless you're running completely in your comfort zone, chugging on drinks can bring on a stitch too.

Can leaving it too long sonce your last meal have an effect. sometimes when i run it will have been 6/7 hours since i ate. i also heard someone saying fizzy water could be a cause. is that accurate?

I'd usually eat bet 2-4 hours before. And would never have anything fizzy before a run, so can't say, but would imagine its tough. Did have a pint before a game once and it was not good.

http://coachdeanhebert.wordpress.com/2007/09/24/side-stitchescramps-and-running/

Crooked Jack

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I'd usually eat bet 2-4 hours before. And would never have anything fizzy before a run, so can't say, but would imagine its tough. Did have a pint before a game once and it was not good.

http://coachdeanhebert.wordpress.com/2007/09/24/side-stitchescramps-and-running/

theres a lot of good stuff in that link. thanks man

Clearlier

Crooked Jack wrote: »

Can leaving it too long sonce your last meal have an effect. sometimes when i run it will have been 6/7 hours since i ate. i also heard someone saying fizzy water could be a cause. is that accurate?

Fizzy water yes, too long since you ate, No.

When I got stitches I used to put my hands behind my head and bring my elbows back. It always got rid of the stitch for me although it quite possibly was because I couldn't run fast with my hands behind my head...

Ososlo

I feel for you OP, I really do. Been there so many times. I often get stitches when I'm doing my really really easy pace (just above walking effort). I've done about 15 races in the past year and a half and today's was the first I didn't get a stitch during at all. For me it really helps if I haven't eaten or drunk anything for at least 2.5 hours before a race, but it can still happen. It happens less frequently now so I guess a lot of it has to do with fitness but not everything imo.
I got a stitch recently during a long slow run when I hadn't eaten anything since the night before .... Trial and error, trial and error... stick with it whatever you do and good luck.
I don't really know if it's always a fitness thing as I remember reading about a very fast female runner on this forum who gets (or used to get) stitches a lot during races...

Crooked Jack

Big run today and bo problems. more regular breaks, controlled breathing and the under rib massage thing all seemed to help. no fizzy water either. thanks a million for all the advice