Strong urge to use the bathroom during a run:

It never fails - about twenty minutes in to a run I will get a strong urge to need to pass a bowel movement. It doesn't feel like gas, it's very much an internal pressure. Often times I will run another five or so minutes and then attempt to use the facilities, typically with no results. I normally spend a few minutes in the bathroom before a workout just to make sure everything has exited my body that wants to. ....

Normally I do not continue my run after attempting the trip to the restoom, as I only really plan on 40 minutes for the workout, and I've already got my pants half off. LOL...

Anyway, my questions are: Does anyone else experience this? Do you have advice on how I may prevent this or what may be causing this? Other poop related comments you'd like to contribute?
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Replies

  • corn63
    corn63 Posts: 1,580 Member
    I had a friend who was a marathon runner who SWORE every time before she ran a race, all the stress and excitement and buildup (heh) of the race would make her have to poop.

    We went to watch our friends run in a 20k run and she felt the need to poop because she got so excited about running.


    She might be cray though.
  • bathsheba_c
    bathsheba_c Posts: 1,873 Member
    That's actually really typical. I will let someone who is capable of running for more than five minutes advise you on what to do about it, though. :)
  • Pixi_Rex
    Pixi_Rex Posts: 1,676 Member
    I get this a lot. I have found not eating before I run is a big help. If I run in the morning I don't eat at all before, if I run in the evening I don't eat at least 2 hours before I do my run and I always make sure to go to the bathroom prior to my run.

    Most times it works but sometimes... not so much.
  • PatrickSwayzesGhost
    PatrickSwayzesGhost Posts: 300 Member
    Does anyone else experience this?
    Yes.
    Do you have advice on how I may prevent this or what may be causing this?
    Getting up and stirring around for a bit until my bowels "wake up". Pooping with all of my might before the run.
    Other poop related comments you'd like to contribute?
    Finally had a solid bowel movement today. It wasn't S-shaped, but it was solid. Please feel free to learn more about my Watery-To-Chunky-To-Semi-Solid-To-Beefy-Solid-Stool journey here: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/874580-finally-i-did-it I promise that I'm not selling anything!
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    It's really common. When do you run- morning, afternoon, evening? You can take a look at your diet and see if there are tweaks that can help. What most people do is work your run around your schedule- so people will get up in the AM, drink coffee, use the bathroom, and then run. Running in the evenings works for me, I have a (non-fiberous) carb snack like an hour before the end of the work day and then run after work. Dairy, protein bars, and high fiber foods are all really bad for my afternoon snack. Coffee right beforehand tends to cause problems for me too. You will just have to experiment what works for you, unfortunately. There's no one size fits all solution. But, you're not alone.
  • i always get up about 30-40 minutes before, have coffee, the warm liquid helps. move around and wake up your sytem. It has worked for me for years.
  • _SusieQ_
    _SusieQ_ Posts: 2,964 Member
    Two words: Compression shorts

    Ok, I don't really have anything of value to add, so I'll just leave now.
  • Legs_McGee
    Legs_McGee Posts: 845 Member
    Very common problem among runners. Just go before you go. "PRP" = pre-run poop.
  • PatrickSwayzesGhost
    PatrickSwayzesGhost Posts: 300 Member
    Two words: Compression shorts
    If a seam busts, you're gonna have this happen:

    playdoh.gif

    Best to vacate before running than try to block the exit.
  • RGv2
    RGv2 Posts: 5,789 Member
    Common.

    Running is a natural laxative.
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    Since it's only a feeling and nothing happens I'd work on ignoring the feeling and just carry on. Sounds like you must be on a treadmill to be able to just stop to go so should it become an emergency before your 40 minutes is up you should be able to handle it.
  • melbatoast917
    melbatoast917 Posts: 370 Member
    *Walks in, sees "beefy" next to the word "stool" and leaves.*
  • EatClean_WashUrNuts
    EatClean_WashUrNuts Posts: 1,590 Member
    Stop and use the tree?
  • sarah692
    sarah692 Posts: 136 Member
    Don't eat beforehand, or wait an hour or so for things to start digesting.
  • strongnotskinny121
    strongnotskinny121 Posts: 329 Member
    I used to but I would eat lots of veggies in the afternoon before my run. I moved my veggies to my mid morning snack so now I have a regular BM before my run and less of an urge to during the run.
  • angmarie28
    angmarie28 Posts: 2,883 Member
    I get that feeling but then I slow down to a fast walk and the urge goes away, so I dont know, I try to ignore it
  • dym123
    dym123 Posts: 1,670 Member
    They don't call it Runner's Trots for nothing
  • Alex_is_Hawks
    Alex_is_Hawks Posts: 3,499 Member
    Two words: Compression shorts
    If a seam busts, you're gonna have this happen:

    playdoh.gif

    Best to vacate before running than try to block the exit.

    does it come with the kid laughing too???
  • yummy_
    yummy_ Posts: 248 Member
    just harvest that s**t and you'll never pay full price at the butcher's counter again!

    http://www.mnn.com/green-tech/research-innovations/stories/steak-made-from-human-poop-passes-taste-test
  • infamousmk
    infamousmk Posts: 6,033 Member
    Since it's only a feeling and nothing happens I'd work on ignoring the feeling and just carry on. Sounds like you must be on a treadmill to be able to just stop to go so should it become an emergency before your 40 minutes is up you should be able to handle it.


    I think this is going to be my course of action. I wanted to do a little 'check in' to see if it was a normal thing before trying to ignore it. You make a very good point about getting to the restroom (yes, I run on a treadmill for now)..


    I appreciate everyone's input on my output!
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    I don't run until after I've pooped. Luckily, I'm regular as clockwork.
  • I found this on this site: http://www.shutupandrun.net/2012/05/how-to-not-crap-yourself-on-run.html

    Following are a few sure-fire ways to minimize the risk of crapping one’s pants while running and racing:

    The single most helpful thing for me has been to eliminate or drastically reduce fiber, dairy and fatty foods up to 36 hours before a long run or race. Typically, my diet is pretty rich in roughage, whole grains, beans, etc. But, I really do change things up the days before a race. I take in lots of water and reduce my intake of fruits, vegetables, yogurt, cheese and any higher fat foods. I’ve had great success with this plan.
    Overly exerting myself makes things worse. On long runs, I stick to long-run pace (60 to 90 seconds slower than my ideal marathon pace), and this helps significantly. In races I am usually exerting a great deal, so this plan doesn’t work well under those circumstances.
    Don’t laugh, but I try to get on a strict poop schedule. I train my body by eating and sleeping with a routine in mind (as much as possible). A cup of coffee in the morning usually gets stuff going. Nine times out of ten if I can get something out before a long run or race I’m good to go. Occasionally there will be a lingering nugget in there that causes problems, but not usually.
    It helps to not eat the two hours before a long run or race. Give your body time to digest your pancakes. Once, in all of my naiveté, I ate a huge bowl of beef stroganoff right before a run. This was a like a huge practical joke I played on myself.
    Pre-race nerves are definitely an issue and can get stuff moving when you wish it would stay put. That’s why I’ve been known to take multiple dumps on an airplane. I hate to fly and I’m nervous. Do everything in your power to minimize any extra anxiety on race day. Give yourself enough time, breathe deeply, think about the nap you will take later. Distraction is a great tool because the mind can only think about one thing at a time. Don’t let it take you hostage.
    I never mix gels/chews with sport’s drink. I choose one or the other. I find that mixing various sugar types and chemicals doesn’t bode well for me and my colon. Ever hear the saying, “Sport’s drinks and gel, your stomach will give you hell?”
    I hate to stop and do business during a race. But, it does help to have a back up plan in your mind. Know your potty options. Plan long runs around your favorite bushes or gas station bathrooms. Study your race map or drive the course so you know your potty-ops. Taking charge and knowing what to expect may reduce some poop anxiety.
    I know some people take Imodium to calm things down. I have not tried this mostly because that stuff constipates me. Yes, that is the point, but I find it rally messes with my system and I have a hard time getting back to normal even days later.

    Here’s to crap-less runs!
  • WillLift4Tats
    WillLift4Tats Posts: 1,699 Member
    *Walks in, sees "beefy" next to the word "stool" and leaves.*

    Seriously.
  • AllTehBeers
    AllTehBeers Posts: 5,030 Member
    just harvest that s**t and you'll never pay full price at the butcher's counter again!

    http://www.mnn.com/green-tech/research-innovations/stories/steak-made-from-human-poop-passes-taste-test

    This is probably my favorite line of this.
    Ikeda's team then combined them with a reaction enhancer and put them in an exploder. What eventually came out was no filet mignon
  • TAMayorga
    TAMayorga Posts: 341 Member
    Two words: Compression shorts
    If a seam busts, you're gonna have this happen:

    playdoh.gif

    Best to vacate before running than try to block the exit.

    does it come with the kid laughing too???

    It definitely will if it happens in front of a school. :blushing:
  • slrea2012
    slrea2012 Posts: 31 Member
    Hate Runner's Trots... Caused by certain muscles starting to relax due to blood flow to your legs. I've battled with this from time to time. I'm not sure what time you run, but this is an issue for me in the Summer time because I like run early before the heat. I make sure I watch the time and what I eat the night before. Lay off late night heavy meals if you can.

    If I know I'll have an issue, I run trails with lots of bushes and carry TP in my shorts pocket.

    I don't have this issue so much in the evening. Good Luck
  • PatrickSwayzesGhost
    PatrickSwayzesGhost Posts: 300 Member
    Two words: Compression shorts
    If a seam busts, you're gonna have this happen:

    playdoh.gif

    Best to vacate before running than try to block the exit.
    does it come with the kid laughing too???
    It definitely will if it happens in front of a school. :blushing:
    Yep. Kids love that... ****. rimshot.gif
  • Wow, I have to admit this post is a hoot...but I know it's a serious topic so let me get on with it.

    I usually drink coffee in the am. and run either at noon or in the afternoon after work. By this time I'm cleaned out. I agree with some of the posts here that running is a laxative. That is a good thing. You have to train your body somehow to not have the desire to go while you are running. Maybe try an alternative schedule and run in the evening?

    Good luck!
  • erinsueburns
    erinsueburns Posts: 865 Member
    It can also be because it is stimulating/or even disrupting your pubococcygeus and/or iliococcygeus muscles, which aren't just responsible for urinary continence, but also fecal continence.

    So, it may not be a bad idea to work on strengthening this area. Kegels are typically considered the be all and end all of this. But here are some posts from a different perspective:

    http://www.alignedandwell.com/katysays/?s=pelvic+floor

    Mostly a part of it is squats are really helpful for this, and that makes sense. The other thing is treadmills are a problem causer for this issue because it is somewhat unnatural how you move on one. There isn't that same pushing off feeling. I had more of a problem with feeling like I had to urinate when walking/running on a treadmill. And that was resolved by getting off of it and onto real ground. So, I guess in short, on that, try running on real ground and seeing if the sensation changes.
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    By the way, if anyone comes in here and suggests you start taking immodium before running because going to the bathroom is inconvenient, I'mma gonna rage. One of these threads came up about a month ago, lots of people gave good suggestions, one idiot suggested immodium, and the OP's takeaway was that purposely constipating yourself (she didn't have diarrhea, just stopping the treadmill was inconvenient with her schedule and she didn't like sweating on the toilet) seemed like the best solution. Intentional constipation on a regular basis. Seems legit.