Running and peeing

Meganthedogmom

Am I the only one who gets the overwhelming urge to pee after the 1st or 2nd mile? This is really getting to be a nuisance as it makes for a very uncomfortable run for the rest of the way.

Women especially - how do you deal with this?

I seriously find myself looking around for places to pop a squat just in case I really can't contain it any longer. Behind that trash can? By the bench? Would anyone see me?? My god, it's getting bad!

Of course the places I go running don't have a convenient toilet just hanging around.

And I of course go right before I leave the house, but it never fails! I only have one cup of coffee before my run and I really don't think I can give that up. Help!

pomegranatecloud

Drink less before running or wait longer to run after drinking. Have 1/4 or 1/2 cup of coffee before instead of a full cup.

Beth150Ann

Yes, I can relate! When I walk more than 40 minutes (I'm a walker right now), I make sure my route has bathrooms. I often check out areas that I can use if needed (and thank goodness that hasn't happened yet!). But NOT having coffee before going outside in the morning has helped -- I know you don't want to but it will make a difference (or at least wait an hour or two before walking). The Dr. recommends Kegel Exercises and I'm going to start working on my abs (I think a strong ab would help). Worst comes to worst -- if you have to go outside just don't get caught by the police and receive a summons!

groetzinger659

I just go in the woods if I have to - when you get older you cant hold it otherwise accident!! That's my story and I am sticking to it=but I live in a rural area=if I was you-find where gas stations;/gyms/stores are at the mid point-then you don't have to be uncomfortable. I try to pee right before I do my workout.

1triciakae

I can relate! I can't drink coffee before I run. The coffee can also cause bladder spasms which I get also. I will eat a meal that at least 20grams of protein then wait an hour then go run that gets me the extra energy to get me through.

TheBeachgod

It could be worse.

Alluminati

TheBeachgod wrote: »

It could be worse.

That's ridiculous. Why would someone throw a mocha pie at his crotch?

Meganthedogmom

Hahaha @TheBeachgod very true.

@groetzinger659 I sort of live in a rural area too, but there are houses around where I run so I'm just afraid someone would be watching me pee outside their window haha.

I might have to try taking detours in order to find a gas station or something! It gets really bad sometimes!

(Edit) I will also try drinking my coffee well before my run. As it is I finish it probably 30 to 60 minutes beforehand, so I'll try waiting a bit longer next time. I'm not ready to give it up completely yet, as it gives me energy for a better run.

Alluminati

meganridenour wrote: »

Hahaha @TheBeachgod very true.

@groetzinger659 I sort of live in a rural area too, but there are houses around where I run so I'm just afraid someone would be watching me pee outside their window haha.

I might have to try taking detours in order to find a gas station or something! It gets really bad sometimes!

I feel like peeing before any sort of event, but I think mine is a nervous tic. Its annoying, I agree.

litsy3

I would just pee outside, but if it's only a mile into your run, perhaps you can run around the block a few times, go back in your house and pee, and then go for your run.

Meganthedogmom

litsy3 wrote: »

I would just pee outside, but if it's only a mile into your run, perhaps you can run around the block a few times, go back in your house and pee, and then go for your run.

I don't normally run near my house as I live right off of a highway. I like to run by the canal. Sometimes I will run near my house though just so I can stop to use the bathroom

Aed0416

I pee twice before leaving my house. I don't know why but it works. I pee stick my garmin outside so it can do its thing grab my sunglasses tie my shoes and pee again.

stealthq

Maybe drink something without caffeine? It is a mild diuretic. I know I have a problem in that regard with tea and coffee. Drink a cup, and within a short amount of time I'll be needing to go. Don't have that issue with water - I can don't have the urge to go until later.

Other than that, my other suggestion is to practice Kegels. The better you can hold it, the more options you'll have, I guess.

_Waffle_

Try avoiding that cool path by the waterfall.




Or watch this before you run and and get it over with before you even start.

hekla90

Maybe you need to do some pelvic floor exercises? I have heard mostly women who have had children complain about this. My science teacher in high school ran a lot and always had this issue. I haven't had an issue and usually stay pretty hydrated.

e_v_v

If you are a long distance runner, it is very common for you to lose some control of your bladder muscles. When I'm training for marathons, I lose control of my bladder completely and, yes, pee myself. I can't do anything to stop it. It's part of running long distances. Some people can handle their bladders, others can't. I, for one, can't. Once I start training past 10-15 miles, I often wet my pants while running. It comes on so fast that I can't even stop quick enough to find a place to squat. It just happens.

TMI? Probably.

_Waffle_

ebrass73 wrote: »

If you are a long distance runner, it is very common for you to lose some control of your bladder muscles. When I'm training for marathons, I lose control of my bladder completely and, yes, pee myself. I can't do anything to stop it. It's part of running long distances. Some people can handle their bladders, others can't. I, for one, can't. Once I start training past 10-15 miles, I often wet my pants while running. It comes on so fast that I can't even stop quick enough to find a place to squat. It just happens.

TMI? Probably.

I don't have that issue (Men are lucky) but I can say with all sincerity that your pee soaked shorts still smell better than I do after 15 miles. Smell isn't even a factor I would worry about. Who cares? I wouldn't.

After just 4 miles last week I was told to strip at the door and stop stinking up the place.

glevinso

I figured this was going to be about techniques for doing it while running during a race you are trying to win...

jessiruthica

Frankly, I'm always more concerned about needing to poo. I could confidently pee in the wooded areas around my running path, but not so much on the poo. My running group calls it a PRP - pre-run poop. A necessity and something I plan my runs around.

Capt_Apollo

you are probably over hydrating immediately before your run.

VioletRojo

I had to give up caffeine, but you could try these http://www.poise.com/products/impressa/detail/sizing-kit

Meganthedogmom

Capt_Apollo wrote: »

you are probably over hydrating immediately before your run.

No, I'm not. Like I said I drink one cup of coffee, that's it. I keep myself hydrated later on/throughout the day.

I think some people are misunderstanding. I'm not losing control of my bladder/pissing myself. I'm having to deal with the strong urge to urinate during a run which makes it very uncomfortable.

BodyByBex

http://www.runnersworld.com/zelle/5-things-female-runners-should-know-about-their-private-parts

BodyByBex

You said you only have the one cup of coffee before you run and you don't think you can give it up. I think you're stronger than you think you are and you should give a run a try without the coffee before hand.


If you still have the problem, consider going to your doctor about the issue or you could do what my mom did in the Navy, and wear a pad/sanitary napkin specifically for this purpose.

robininfl

Oh I feel your pain. I run in the morning, after peeing and before drinking ANYTHING because since the fourth baby I cannot run without peeing some, she broke something in there. Sometimes I run a path that takes me back by the house so I can go in and pee again during the run, and, well, black yoga pants and plenty of sweating.

In a race I just try not to worry about it too much.


On the needing to pee or poop during a run, that's very common and if you run at the same time each day you can try to train your body to go beforehand. Get up earlier, drink the coffee earlier, go use the bathroom then run. I don't actually have enough time to do that, already getting up close to 5am to fit the run in before kid dropoff, but this is what the fiancé did, he goes in to work later so got his body scheduled to eliminate before workout.

Mrscanmore

This sounds silly, but I try to tell my body to sweat out the pee It really seems to work!

Meganthedogmom

Hey guys, thank you for the suggestions.

I do already get up at 4:30am so it would be hard to go any earlier. The exception being weekends where I could just run a little later.

@lilaclovebird I know I could go without the coffee, but I really don't want to! :P I will if I really have to, though.

I'm going to try some things, but hopefully adult diapers are not in my near future 'cause that sounds super uncomfortable.

JoRocka

I would try the new period underwear first before adult diapers- My friend has them- says they work pretty well- perhaps with a liner- they might be just what you need.

saramickeydee

JoRocka wrote: »

I would try the new period underwear first before adult diapers- My friend has them- says they work pretty well- perhaps with a liner- they might be just what you need.

I just read a review of them and they sound pretty great.

DearestWinter

VioletRojo wrote: »

I had to give up caffeine, but you could try these http://www.poise.com/products/impressa/detail/sizing-kit

Fascinating! So basically a vaginal insertable that keeps pressure on your urethra? I didn't know this existed but it makes sense. Sounds a little uncomfortable but maybe if you're just using it for an hour while running it's okay.

OP, I haven't had the urge when running, but I've heard it's really common so I would just plan a route that has bathroom stops (or nice wooded areas) for your comfort.