stitch in my side

[sg516]

what causes ppl to get a stitch in their side when running? i was running yesterday and for the first time i got one. i was only about 3/4 of my way through the first mile and it happened. i was always told to keep running and it will go away so i ran 3 miles and i couldn't breath and i started getting one on the other side too. now i am sore where i had the stitches. its wierd. is it hydration? nutrition? both? i don't want to have it happen again so any advice would be great.

[mike f]

Usually slowing down or walking a bit will lead to the stitch fading. No hard science to explain them but most think there is a little oxygen debt and that causes them to go away when you slow down and things go back into balance, oxygen-wise.

Next time just try running slower for a while and see if it fades.

Remember to relax and keep breathing to your belly during the run.

[Barrett]

A stitch is a muscle spasm in your diaphragm. What works for me is inhaling and breath out forcefully.