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Hi all,
I ran the w5r2 today and failed. I ran about the first 6 minutes and then had to stop because of a stitch ( sharp pain in stomach) on the second set of 8 minute run it came back again. Is there any prevention or known causes of stitches? I am going to rerun tomorrow. Thanks for any help!!

I used to get horrible side stitches, so bad it would cramp all the way up through my shoulder! The trick is to keep your breathing under control: you get those stitches because your diaphragm begins to spasm, and breathing unevenly or even having something in your stomach can contribute to that. Once I found my breathing pattern, and stopped drinking even part of a cup of coffee before my runs, the side stitches became a rare occurrence.

Some people, my husband included, will tell you to just run through your cramps, but I find that basically impossible. As I exhale, it cramps harder, and then I reach a point where I feel like I'm suffocating. Put your arms over your head, slow down, and BREATHE DEEPLY, and this will help ease the side stitches so you can continue.

Thanks heaps.
I actually repeated the 2 by 8 minute run this morning and it was hard but I got through it and no stitch!!