stitch whilst running

[racmac]

I got really bad stitch today whilst running - any ideas why or how to make it go away?

They are caused by your diaphragm going into spasm so changing your breathing might help. Deep belly breathing is better than shallow, and try and breath on every other step if you feel a stitch coming on, so breath out when your left foot hits the ground instead of your right for example.
If that doesn't help blow out your breath (like blowing out candles) and make sure you are breathign from your belly and it shoudl ease.

Eating too much before a run can cause stitches as your stomach full of food pulls on teh diaphragm.

(I may not be fast, or remotely slim, but my brother is a sports scientist!)

Thank s for that - i was doing a longer distance than before so makes sense that my breathing was struggling

Id eaten about anhour before my run but had muesli (homemade) with banana so dont think id eaten too much

Eating an hour before running would definitely do it for me - I avoid eating anything more than a bit of fruit for 2-3 hours before going for a run.

I have to leave at least 2 hours between eating and running. I don't get a stitch very often but when I do it's generally to do with something different to eat or drink before a run or too close to a run.