Have to pee while running?

starrynight1929

I used to drink a lot of diet coke instead of water, so I had 4 glasses of water 2 hours before I ran today. I went to the bathroom before I ran.

About half a mile into my run, I had to go to the bathroom reallllly badly. It was so bad that I had to walk the rest of the way.

Anyone have any suggestions on how to prevent this, but also be hydrated for a run?

vtmoon

I go pee right before running, and I drink then too.

Flixie00

I don't. I did a 10 mile run today, and went out shortly after getting up in the morning with no food or drink. I used to take a water bottle with me, but worked out that I run better fasted.

bluefox9er

I don't. I did a 10 mile run today, and went out shortly after getting up in the morning with no food or drink. I used to take a water bottle with me, but worked out that I run better fasted.

^^ this ^^ I run fasted too, and if I do eat, it's oatmeal 2 hours before at the very earliest. Make good hydration a habit.

1223345

You don't really need 4 glasses. You could just have one or two. Just drink a glass of water after the run.

MelisRunning

I am very, very careful about what I eat/drink before a run... learned that lesson the hard way. Visiting the trees when you are running w/ a group is embarrassing. Before a run I have (this is a ritual, mind you) one serving of grits and one cup of coffee. This is one to 1 1/2 hrs before the run. This gives things a chance to move through the "system". No more embarrassment. Problem solved.

starrynight1929

Thanks for your responses!

I'm surprised so many people don't drink much (if anything) before running. I have tried that before but I got so thirsty and dizzy.

Maybe I need to drink more water overall...

krhn

Have one glass before you run, then take a water bottle and sip during the run...
obviously bathroom before the run! You should be fine! :bigsmile:

waterwing

I usually run on an empty stomach in the morning but sometimes I will have a glass of hot water with lemon juice. I find that it hydrates me and doesn't cause me to need to stop.

It does take your body a bit of time to get used to being properly hydrated so hang in there and keep drinking lots of water!

bfpower

One of the keys is staying hydrated ALL the time. If I am not fully hydrated and I drink a lot before/during a workout I have to make some 4 trips to the bathroom later.

On the other hand, if I'm doing my 8 glasses daily, I usually don't have too much of a problem with urinary interruptions. And the folks saying one glass before a run are correct - you'll probably have better results that way.

biff54928

Love this topic! I don't run but I do get out and walk when the weather is good so I know how you feel about having to pee... I am a country girl that of course lives in the country and thank god I do! "If" I can hold it I wait until I get down our road and I can just squat in the ditch and if I can't hold it I go to a neighbors. I try not to drink a lot of water or coffee before going for a walk and chew gum while walking to help keep my mouth moist

bobf279

I always go before I run, I don't overload with fluids before I run but when it is really hot I take a water bottle with me. I have had to stop and pee before but fortunately it was in a place where I could hide in the bushes

alychil820

I always pee before running, and I never run with a water bottle. I only do short runs though (3-5miles)

sleona

I eat very little before running. I do not drink very much before running either, but I am a very hydrated person in general, as I only drink water and carbonated water. I would recommend drinking less prior to running. I would imagine you can feel all that water in your stomach which must make for an uncomfortable run!

RunnerElizabeth

If you are running around first thing in the morning, you should have taken care of your hydration the day before. I drink 48 to 64 oz of water after 5pm the night before my long run. Yes, I get up every couple of hours to pee, but I can handle a 12 or 13 mile run without having to stop. Of course on my long runs, I have a public bathroom I can stop at half way thru if I need it. Helps to consider bathroom breaks when planning runs. But the most important thing is if you are consistently hydrated, you won't have to worry about chugging a bunch of water before you go out.

castelluzzo99

Thanks for your responses!

I'm surprised so many people don't drink much (if anything) before running. I have tried that before but I got so thirsty and dizzy.

Maybe I need to drink more water overall...

At this time of year, I probably wouldn't bother with water, but when it's hot, I carry water or better yet, an electrolyte drink. I don't tank up before, because then I get a stomach cramp a couple of blocks down the road, just drink 8-12 ounces.

How much water do you drink every day? Soda pop is dehydrating, so you might want to think about drinking it less often. I mean, you can do what you want, but once I heard a lady talking about skin care and make-up, and she said that soda pop is really bad for the skin because of it being dehydrating. You've probably noticed the cute little cup of water at the bottom of the food diary page. See if you can make 8 eight-ounce cups a day, but not right before a run. That's like drinking a bunch of water right before bed! LOL!

starrynight1929

At this time of year, I probably wouldn't bother with water, but when it's hot, I carry water or better yet, an electrolyte drink. I don't tank up before, because then I get a stomach cramp a couple of blocks down the road, just drink 8-12 ounces.

How much water do you drink every day? Soda pop is dehydrating, so you might want to think about drinking it less often. I mean, you can do what you want, but once I heard a lady talking about skin care and make-up, and she said that soda pop is really bad for the skin because of it being dehydrating. You've probably noticed the cute little cup of water at the bottom of the food diary page. See if you can make 8 eight-ounce cups a day, but not right before a run. That's like drinking a bunch of water right before bed! LOL!

Well I used to drink 6 cans of diet coke a day. Now my limit is 2, and I can't have any at all until I drink at least 4 8-oz servings of water. I'm kind of addicted to it :-/ and it does make my skin look bad

On weekends I replace the soda with green tea, is that also dehydrating?

castelluzzo99

I don't know much about green tea, since I never drink it, but what I do know is that it is superior to black tea in so many ways, and has a lot of good properties, like antioxidants. I believe it is pretty low in caffeine, which is also a diuretic, but only in large quantities, according to the Mayo Clinic, so it's probably not an issue, and way better than soda! So you might try drinking that more often during the week.

I'm not going to tell you what to do, but if I were you, I would try to work toward having soda only on special occasions, like a party or a movie night or something, instead of regularly. I don't know how much you are spending on it (dispensing machines are more costly than buying a 6-pack or a 12-pack or by the liter), but maybe you could save the money you would have spent on it and do something fun with it, like buy a cute bikini or something for the body you're working toward, or go to an event that you would otherwise not do because of funds.

joyfulrunner22

As long as you are well hydrated before you start your run you should not need to drink before you start. Drinking a large amount of liquid could actually slow you down. Make sure you drink plenty of water throughout the day and you should not have a problem.

abideedum

Just pee outside? I guess this depends where you run, i walk and run outside in areas. seven day hike and you have to go outside so i have kinda got over that fear. However yeah if your in a street then i'd say hold it in and walk back sharpish!

JessHealthKick

I personally drink about 3L of water a day. I am always sure to use the bathroom just before exercising and straight after. Just give your body some time to get used to adjusting to all the lovely water you're feeding it Also, you shouldn't have to have 4 glasses at once - space them out more evenly. I just continuously drink all day, probably every 30mins I have some water.

pinkraynedropjacki

I run where there is a loo so I don't need to worry, but I make sure I have nothing to drink about an hour before I run...so now I run about 10am & that way I'm all good.

But then I have a problem even when I don't drink so I wear a incontinence pad while running just in case it starts without me.

JessHealthKick

Thanks for your responses!

I'm surprised so many people don't drink much (if anything) before running. I have tried that before but I got so thirsty and dizzy.

Maybe I need to drink more water overall...

used to have the same issue. You need to always be hydrated, drink whilst running (if possible) and make sure you cool up/down as well. If you stop suddenly you will probably feel a little faint. I used to always vomit after playing a hard basketball game, but then I realised it was because I wasn't drinking enough and wasn't cooling down - once that issue is addressed, no problems

Warchortle

Yea, I'm guilty of drinking glasses and glasses of water at a time, but I know you're only supposed to sip.

Warchortle

A good trick sometimes if I'm smart I'll just eat something that has some sort of water in it like a pineapple chunks...

dbmata

I used to drink a lot of diet coke instead of water, so I had 4 glasses of water 2 hours before I ran today. I went to the bathroom before I ran.

About half a mile into my run, I had to go to the bathroom reallllly badly. It was so bad that I had to walk the rest of the way.

Anyone have any suggestions on how to prevent this, but also be hydrated for a run?

It happens, push through it and it will pass. I have the urge to urinate during the first half mile of my runs. Even though I do it prior to starting. It's not real, and it goes away. If it doesn't, it's legit and gotta be dealt with. I think some of it might actually be due to things getting knocked around, but frankly I don't know, just a WAG on my part.

Gabrielm80

Sounds like you still drink some sodas. Caffeine is a diaretic. Cut your caffeine out and try and go only water for a while.

presshard

I have learned to hydrat the dau before. So I do not to drink so much begore a race. I don' t know if that will be helpful. Gooc luck.