What Is A Stitch & How You Can Combat Them!

[@gtn]

How often do you get stitches? And how do you relieve the pain?

[@adamnichols3506]

Every once in a while. I hate it. Usually have to stop running.

[@kevinabate6056]

A gentle slowdown rather than a full stop until it eases. A good stitch usually lets me know I'm on with my target pace, then press forward again. I've heard rumors that they could be associated with diet, but I'm not sure.

[@PuffyPandaPlays]

I get it all the time even if I'm not running. Usually 3 times a day

[@seascape]

As I’ve gotten older and slower, I stopped getting stitches, maybe 1 or 2 in the past 10 years. When I do get them, I simply raise my hand on the affected side over my head for a few seconds, and that stretch makes them go away. Best thing is, I don’t have to stop running.

[@SimonMathews]

I’m in the “too much liquid prior to the run can trigger it” category, and James’ tip to reduce fluid intake the couple of hours beforehand seems to work for me in preventing it.

[@perro0076]

For me the deep breathing works, but it has to be deeeeep, all the way down to the stomach, the lower part must also inflate. Whilst you're there, hold your breath for 3 secs, exhale taking 3 seconds, stay at the bottom for 3 secs, then take 3 seconds to inhale again. I think they do this in meditation or yoga. Not sure. But it works. When out running I also do 2-timing breathing. Fill your lungs and stomach in 2 short inhales then 2 short exhales. Some people coordinate their foot strike rhythm with breathing, but I haven't mastered that one.

[@JeDindk]

Yes, yes, yes - I have just written a comment very much like yours. I just breathe in as much as possible - and the I breathe out as much as possible. I do this a few times and the stitches disappear in a few seconds. And it works every time! 😀

[@callumnotman5145]

Our coach said if the stitch was on the left of the abdomen, it's your stomach (ie you have eaten too late before running), if it's on the right then your breathing is off, so try and control your breathing... but looks like he may have made that up 😁🤔 Great video!

[@wilfdarr]

He might have got it from somewhere reputable back in the day: our understanding of human anatomy is growing so rapidly that by the time a theory is published its often already out of date.

[@jobanski]

I used to get stitches/side cramps a lot. I noticed they would come if I hadn’t hydrated myself sufficiently. A friend advised me, when they happen, to “push down” with my abdomen/diaphragm when I exhale. That seems to do the trick for me without slowing down.

[@miguelbrito7099]

James delivering useful tips is becoming an habit! Keep it up

[@gtn]

Glad you enjoyed it, James has a lot more where those came from !

[@savagepro9060]

This is how I do it. 1. As soon as the stitch hits, I hold my breath. Then I breathe out slowly until it hits again. Then stop, and resume inhaling until hit hits. Stop, then start exhaling until it hits. I repeat this until it goes away. And it goes away! 2. Just before a finish line? Once I actually just gripped my side and went hell out. That also worked.

[@Horseshoe-808]

Brilliant video and your tips on how to stop a stitch beginning is exactly what I found really helped to stop getting a stich. If I do get a stitch on a run I stop and bend over and try and touch my toes which seems to help.

[@childofgod1226]

Most helpful. Thanks James.

[@gtn]

You’re very welcome !

[@stvnsanders7]

I remember my first time suffering a stitch I thought I was gonna die! It was so painful! I did a lot of formation runs and 3-mile runs while I was in the Marine Corps and don't really remember suffering from them much, fortunately, but once in a great while they'd get me and I never knew what it was. Sometimes I thought it was gas! 🤣

[@tradestone100]

I experience this every triathlon. My mental checking before T2 is mostly the tricks showed here and in other gtn video about it. Drink less, start slow, cool my body, deep breath and contract my abdomen.

[@benkeyte3986]

Super interesting, been wondering about this for years!

[@gtn]

Great! We're glad it was helpful!

[@ChloeMartinBrown]

I'm lucky that I don't get a stitch very often, but when it does hit, it's usually my shoulder affected. Something I've found helped (and learned from swimming) is concentrating on fully exhaling as well as a deep inhale. I find it also really helps if I feel like my heart rate is climbing too quickly and I'm struggling to control it!

[@JeDindk]

Yes! I do exactly the same. I have met people who don't believe me, so I am thrilled to find out that I am not the only one who finds this method to work impeccably. 😀

[@today-nl]

Thanks for the great video, it is very helpful. Totally agree!

[@hurricane7800]

I live just an hour from Koblenz and tomorrow I’m _finally_ going to their flagship store to try out some road/gravel bikes. While I am only looking for my first (sporty) bike, and still have to earn my stripes (plus save up _quite_ a bit), I saw on the website they have a few Speedmaxes in my size - in Lobster, no less! - so…. what I’m looking for is not the only thing I’m going to be trying out, and I’m not sure which I’m more excited for! 😃

[@padischli]

started to run 2 weeks ago and experienced my first stitch today haha water might do it for because i always drink a ton

[@jacobjames1171]

I didn't realize there was a term for it. I get them sometimes while riding BMX tracks.

[@JeDindk]

Whenever I get stitches, I can fix it with a few very deep breaths - it works for me EVERY TIME! I breathe in very deep and when I breathe out, I also make sure empty my lungs as much as possible. I do this a couple of times and the stitches disappear in a just a few seconds. I have to mention that I rarely get side stitches. Maybe once every second month or something. I don't know why my method works for me and it might not work for anyone else. But it works for me every single time! 😀

[@As-su6bl]

I think very common reason to arise stitches is wrong breathing. As you say deep breath in and breath out before the run, and while running like in video says, breath slowly and deeply (for me about 80% of lunge capacity is great) and stitches doesn't apear in my body even if i have not running a lot of years

[@jamesroberts6843]

This video timing is uncanny. Went for a run yesterday and got my first stitch in months. Trust GTN to come up with the goods!

[@hurricane7800]

It’s bizarre! I’m starting training for my first triathlon and in the last 3-4 weeks they’ve been spot-on with every question that popped into my head 😆

[@jamesroberts6843]

@@hurricane7800 Hey! I've started training for a my first triathlon after putting it off due to work and covid. Good luck with yours!

[@hurricane7800]

@@jamesroberts6843 Good luck to you, too!

[@domino2750]

I rarely get stitches, but I almost always get them at the end of races. First I got it at the end of a 10k last year, but I didn't hydrate properly during the race so I figured that was the reason. However, recently I ran a half marathon and got a stitch at the end again! This time I had brought gels, water and electrolytes. What can it be?

[@justinsama1540]

If you don’t want to stop running. Try finishing your exhale on the foot opposite of the stitch.

[@ironman140.6]

James, your inclusion has raised the level tremulously. Such a great addition to GTN

[@RB747domme]

Congratulations, you've successfully invented a new word.. and by the way, I'm not taking the mickey. It's actually really hard to try and make up a new word, so to do it by mistake, is actually really clever! 'Tremulously' ..'Tremulous'

[@kerrynball2734]

Don't eat an entire packet of Biscuits before the run. Wait till after:-)

[@Wally4108]

I get a debilitating stitch every time I run over 2 miles. I still have yet to figure out why, but I'm assuming my breathing is the problem.

[@xaviera.7781]

I’ve observed that I usually get side stitch when running from midday. But when I run in the morning, I never get one🥴

[@RB747domme]

Lol. 'Peri-Tone-ium'. Try Perritonn-NEum. (Peritoneum, peritoneal).

[@kstbox7749]

Thanks for the biology lesson 🥱🥱🥱