[monkey]

the other week i ran for 60 mins and i havent been able to do it again!!!! 35 mins at most,i keep getting stiches and breathless,i just cant do it and its really frustrating!!!
how can i go further?

 

[Steve]

Are you going too fast?
Find someone to run with and run a gentle easy pace so as to allow you to chat without having to take deep breaths.
You've done it once, you can do it again.

 

[Granty]

Sounds like you are running too quick, I had a similar situation whereby I could run at a good pace for say 45 mins and then suffered from blinding headaches etc.

I slowed down from then onwards and was able to run for much longer.

I also found running with a watter bottle helped my headaches midway round, must have been dehydrating.

 

[monkey]

to be honest i thought i was running to slow already!!!! maybe im not,i seem to get awful stitches to

 

[Steady Edwina]

Hi Monkey,
I've been returning to running from injury and been using walk/run technique. I've been plagued with stitches as well, which I used to suffer with a lot when I first started running. I find that if I slow down they do ease also try modifying your breathing technique. Some people recommend raising your arms like an aeroplane.

 

[bone idle]

I read somewhere about pressing your thumb and forefinger together to ease a stitch. Have no idea how thats supposed to help but honestly it does work for me sometimes!

 

[Snailgirl]

stiches

I only took up running a couple of months ago and also get stitches - i found that if you can, alternate the feet you are stepping with when you breathe in (ie breathe in for two paces and out for three) - the altenate stepping thing changes which side has the most downward force on it and so helps prevent stitches (which are almost always side-specific) in some cases - works for me. Slowing down, but not stopping entirely and massaging/applying pressure just below the rib cage on the side thats stitched also seems to help - though I'm not a doctor so don't know if this is recommended!

 

[Steve]

Any ideas Dr Nick?!!

 

[PaulYarwood]

Ive started using a platypus (one of those backpack things you can store water in), when i run with that i can go much further and at a consistently faster pace than if i havent got water onboard!

probably not the most stylish running accessory but seems to help on the longer stuff!

 

[joeslifeyork]

Yeah i saw those the other day.

I used to use them when i was in the Air Cadets years ago hiking etc.. was tempted to get one for running, but wasnt sure what good it would do me (it holds 3 litres so thats an extra 3kg hanging from ya back).