Embarrasing problems whilst running

Guitarjon

Oh I will keep running don't worry. I am starting to enjoy it and just discovered run keeper so I can keep a log on my distance and speed. Also shows you the route you took.

I really do think it could have been the bread. I felt really bad for eating it anyway. Time wise I'd eaten around 3 hours previous to my run. Generally I go running about 4 hour after work. For dinner I usually eat a large bowl of salad with some protien and a an apple and yoghurt. Today I had a sandwich and a banana ( I wasn't at work and went to my Mum and Dads (who gave me the sandwich).

mab2golf

I started running about three years ago and this happened to me just about every time I ran. First, do some research on the web, some good sites are runner's world that address this issue. I learned that this is a common problem among runners. There is a whole list of things that could be causing this to happen to you. Mine was eating at the right times, eating the right foods, and making sure by bowels were empty and by trying to schedule runs at consistent times. I took some extra fiber to make sure things were working efficiently. Also, I stayed away from all sugars especially gatorade and gels that had any kinds of sugar in them on my run or before my runs (no pun intended). Keep a good food and drink diary of everything you eat and drink and the times. Then you can start eliminating things that don't agree with you. Also, drink plenty of water because dehydration can also cause this. Good luck to you.

Guitarjon

I wouldn't worry about it unless it happens again. If it does then identify what was the same between both runs.

Also, and somewhat off topic, you should try and run three times a week if you are trying to improve. The reason is related to the time it takes for the fitness gained from any single workout to begin to degrade. See the graph and explanation here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supercompensation. There have been studies done on this and for running 3 times a week is considered pretty much the minimum for continuous improvement.

Hi Scott, does this still apply if you do other sports in the week? I am running twice, play squash once a week and swim every week?

maryjaquiss

I often get this feeling and just have to stop. Pretty sure it's nothing to do with what I've eaten as I run on an empty stomach. It seems totally random but it's (literally) a bit of a pain in the bum!

bonjour24

hiya. i've been running for 2 years now, and have had this problem since the start. i have a few recommendations if you want them.
1- plan your route around either toilets, or places where you know you can crap in a bush without frightening passers by. i usually take an emergency supply of toilet roll in my pocket too, just incase.
2- make notes about what triggers it, and if you can avoid it.
3- stay really well hydrated the day before and day of your run
4- if you're going to go longer distances or increase times on the road, think of taking immodium before a race (if you ever choose to enter one). i'm running a marathon next saturday, and will start taking immodium on thurs!
5- don't stop running. you may find that it gets better over time. but there are always ways around it. as long as you don't **** yourself in public and 10 miles away from home, you'll be ok!

PMBurton

Eating Bananas has been known to help with the trots. Thankfully, I always finish my excercise before I get really bad stomach cramps and .... yeah. I know how you feel. It's definitely part of the adjustment to excercising. Over the years I've really gone up and down with my activity level and especially running. After a while, in my experience these symptoms subside.

I know running at the gym really sucks, but if you are really worried about this, it may help for you to run around the track at the gym (if you have one), or on the threadmill. You'll feel more comfortable about running, and you'll be able to push yourself to maybe that 5k goal. I think somebody hinted earlier than high humidity and warm weather can be attributed to the trots. Personally, I have that feeling as well, and it's possible at least for the interim that a climate controlled gym will alleviate some of those symptoms until your body becomes more efficient at running and self cooling.

Good luck, and keep running

Guitarjon

I've done 5k already in the past and was aiming for 6k today.

5- don't stop running. you may find that it gets better over time. but there are always ways around it. as long as you don't **** yourself in public and 10 miles away from home, you'll be ok!


This, I was 10 miles away and was scared of accident in public.

PegasusDeb

This totally makes sense to me. Whenever I want my dog to take a poo, I play frisbee with her! Just a couple of tosses & she's hunched over in the bushes! Works every time! :-)
Doing dishes actually works for me, I think it's soaking my hands in hot water! LOL
Good luck & I hope you get something figured out.

scottb81

I wouldn't worry about it unless it happens again. If it does then identify what was the same between both runs.

Also, and somewhat off topic, you should try and run three times a week if you are trying to improve. The reason is related to the time it takes for the fitness gained from any single workout to begin to degrade. See the graph and explanation here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supercompensation. There have been studies done on this and for running 3 times a week is considered pretty much the minimum for continuous improvement.

Hi Scott, does this still apply if you do other sports in the week? I am running twice, play squash once a week and swim every week?

With those other things your fitness will definitely continue to improve. However, your running specific fitness will improve slower than if you ran more because some of the aerobic adaptations are specific to the muscles being exercised. So it really just comes down to what you are trying to achieve.

KayeeDaisyBee

OMG! I don't run (yet) but i was out for an intense walk the other night and i suddenly had this problem completely out of the blue! It was such a weird thing, i hadn't had it before i went out. SO weird.

sara_m83

Any distance runner will tell you - poo before you start your run.

And what everyone else said.

wjniii

Welcome to the runners trots...An important part of training is finding out (sadly by trial and error) what you can and cannot eat before a run. Keep a log of what you eat before a run and then what happens. You'll solve the problem pretty quickly that way. I did.