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Exercise and GI Distress

juliagorina
juliagorina Posts: 34 Member
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Anybody get this? I'm a relatively new runner, ran a half marathon back in mid oct, and have struggled w/ random tummy cramps ever since (not to mention the day of the race).

Replies

  • peleroja
    peleroja Posts: 3,979 Member
    It's extremely common for runners. I'm not very biology-literate but my understanding is it's believed to be something to do with extra bloodflow to your extremities causing a slowdown/disruption in your digestion and that it happens most often when you run longer.

    I think the only way to eliminate it is a lot of trial of error in figuring out what works best for your body as far as pre-run and run fuel. Personally, caffeine doesn't affect me but it does for some people, but if I eat toast or something I get terrible cramps so I usually run fasted after a cup of coffee.
  • sammyliftsandeats
    sammyliftsandeats Posts: 2,421 Member
    http://www.active.com/nutrition/articles/how-to-avoid-runner-s-trots-880937

    The struggle is real.

    I made the mistake of having a high fat breakfast, coffee, AND artificial sweeteners before going out for a run. It was a recipe for disaster pants.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    It's surprisingly common, especially among newer runners and it's often a case of trial and error to avoid it.

    For example not eating certain foods the day before a long run or a race, training your body to have a BM before you go out for your run (coffee is a miracle drug in that dept) not eating too close to a run (personally I prefer to run fasted in the morning) and so on.
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