I get side stitches every once in a while. I find that if you take a few deep breaths making sure that you breathe with your diaphragm you can make them go away even in a race. You might have to slow down to do this, but it is worth it.
I get side stitches every once in a while. I find that if you take a few deep breaths making sure that you breathe with your diaphragm you can make them go away even in a race. You might have to slow down to do this, but it is worth it.
If you want to work on your breathing more than your legs, run up long hills or run on a treadmill at 8-9% incline for an hour. Your stomach will hurt from breathing so hard but your legs won't be that tired.
Hill running does seem like a good way to get a good stimulus without a lot of pounding. I'm switching to a more Lydiard based approach this winter, so I'll be doing some hills for sure.
Has no one suggested stretching? I had this same problem when I moved up from the 10k to half and stretching (really good stretching of the core muscles in all directions) before starting pretty much completed eliminated stitches.
I actually found the solution in a Kara workout video, check it out at 1:02:
http://www.flotrack.org/speaker/25-Kara-Goucher/video/170-Kara-Goucher-Workout
. That stretch is great along with trunk twists.