side stitches

For beginners, penguins, re-beginners, social types and the more low key runners for whom Boston is a tea party, not a race in the near future
wayneschlapkohlw
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Dec 11, 2017 9:43 pm

side stitches

Postby wayneschlapkohlw » Sun May 13, 2018 11:02 pm

Hi! I'm new to this board, and probably could argue I'm restarting, but this question is for my newbie daughter. My daughter and I want to run a half marathon together. She is 18, she ran cross country in high school, and is great at the shorter distances. Cross country was often 4km. Going long she really struggles with side stitches, or abdominal pain more generally. Any ideas what she can do to deal with these? Thanks! Wayne

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Jwolf
Kevin Sullivan
Posts: 37476
Joined: Fri Jul 29, 2005 10:02 pm
Location: Vancouver

Re: side stitches

Postby Jwolf » Mon May 14, 2018 1:17 am

Welcome here!

Side stitches (usually diaphragm spasms) are usually caused by over-exertion-- it's likely that she needs to slow down her pace a bit to go longer distances. Since she's so used to racing and training for the shorter distances, this is hard to get used to at first, but it will work, and she will gradually be able to add more distance. You might want to look at a half-marathon training program that has shorter runs during the week (when she can go faster) with one longer run on the weekend to build distance.

If she's still in touch with her coach from school, he/she might be able to help with a training program.
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