The Poop Question for Runners

I am in the same boat - early runner (I get up at 4am if I have to work, 5 am on Sundays). I haven't found a way around it. I usually have some sort of caffeine before I head out. I have a 7.5 mile route on the schedule for tomorrow and I going to try avoiding it and see what happens.

Thanks for posting the topic!!

Skipping the caffeine first thing seemed to do the trick..

I just experienced this for the first time this morning! Caught me by surprise to say the least. I hit mile 3 and boom! I mentally altered my route for a short cut home. I made it to mile 4 and had to walk and "clench". It was at that point that I started thinking can I knock on someone's door or ask one of the people getting into their cars if they could drive me home or if I could use their bathroom. So after a few minutes of clenching I jogged a bit, then walked a bit longer, then finally got it under control, made it home, very short cool down walk on the driveway as I began shedding layers, then straight inside. I am glad to know I am not alone. WOW, it was a mental ordeal at 5:30am!

Seems like a pretty sh**ty problem to have.

You know thats hard because I am trying to diet and high fiber is good for dieting. I drink 1 cup of coffee in am. I walk almost daily so in order to cut out fiber for 24 hrs would be impossible. I am going to stay close to home for now and see if it does not improve. I have only been dieting and exercising for about a month, It may just be changing my diet and exercise has my system going through a change. I even have to stop exercise videos to go to the bathroom. I am going to keep searching for help.I might go buy sept issue of runners world.

When I started dieting in Jan. I had the same problem, going all the time. I think it is because you are changing your diet, I added much more fiber and protein and my digestive system was working itself out. Took a few weeks and then I was back to "normal".

I do not have a solution for during exercise. It doesnt normally happen to me, except having to pee during a run on occasions. My body is like clockwork and an hour after exercising is my time.

Well you could always take Dwight's "prank" from "The Office" and put Imodium in your coffee! lol j/k! Although you may want to consider looking up "natural" alternatives to Imodium and just have a small amount of that before you head out in the morning.

Very common! Good article here...

http://running.about.com/od/nutritionandhydration/f/runnerstrots.htm

If you still want to run early in the morning, try drinking something warm. If you don't like coffee, try tea or even hot water with a Tbsp or 2 of lemon juice. Not sure if you usually eat breakfast but try eating something light as this may also stimuloate your bowels.

I've also heard dehydration can be part of the problem. A good rule of thumb for water intake is to drink 1/2 your body weight (in pounds) in ounces. For example, I weigh 175 pounds so that's 87.5 ounces or about 11 cups. Add about two more cups of water per day if you're active - but this may not be necessary if you eat a lot of raw foods as they'll hydrate you as well.

I agree with a lot of the other posts concerning the caffeine and staying hydrated. Its always been my experience with long distances that planning ahead and having coffee (or even just a cup of warm water) 30mins before leaving the house helps to "relieve" my stress :blushing: You'll find what works best for your body and stick with that plan!