The Poop Question for Runners

Actually I have read in the Body for Life Book that you are supposed to drink a glass or two of water right when you wake up and it helps the lazy bowels move. This actually does work if you are pretty regular.

I am training for a half marathon right now. I have been running since February and I know exactly what you are talking about! I have heard that making sure you are properly hydrated is supposed to help. I am terrible about drinking my water so I am not sure if that is the solution. I do find some days I have an "urgent" inspiration to run faster! LOL

So try drinking lots of water! Good luck and happy running!

This happens to me pretty regular- I start walking or exercising and have to poop. It happens almost every time. It's horrible when your away from home. I still have not heard a solution. Sometimes I go several times a day so the fact that I have already gone once is not comfort to me. Afraid of having an accident and even more affraid of this discouraging me from exercising. Any suggestions????

Hehehe...I love when topics like this come up. :laugh:

This used to be a problem for me but now it's not. I don't really know why, so I have no advice for you. Maybe just stick with it and always try to go before you go? Perhaps in time your body will learn to go before your run instead of during.

In the meantime, stay close to home or run a route that offers a place to take a potty break.

Ok, sorry but I couldn't find the actual article but I did find this but when it comes down to it you have to experiment with what works for you. I know that I love my coffee before my runs and coffee is proven to help get more out of your workout but I also know that coffee is a natural laxative so I personally try to time mine just right so I don't end up in some bushes on the side of the road :laugh: I have my coffee about 1 hour prior. I feel like I'm giving all kinds of TMI right now :blushing:

A sudden midrun need to hit a bathroom
CULPRIT The gut receives less blood midrun, causing poor GI function—earning this malady its nickname, the "runner's trots." The longer your run, the more likely you'll experience it.
FOOD FIX Avoid high-fiber foods 24 hours before running. Pass on coffee (it stimulates intestinal motion). Dehydration and too many midrun carbs worsen the problem; don't exceed 30 to 60 grams of carbs per hour.

I suffer from this as well. I have tried many things but nothing seems to work. I drink tons of water...at least 10 per day, so I am well hydrated. I run first thing in the morning but don't have time to wait an hour so I usually plan my runs where there is easy access for a "break". It's also dark and just getting light out so that helps too! I will check out the article on Runners World too.

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!!

A cup of coffee in the morning before my run usually gets "the machine" working so I use the bathroom before my run. However...I have found myself having to "visit the trees" a few times. Most inconvenient and embarrassing! On race days, I have not run into the problem. Too focused and excited about the race? Dunno...but I have always checked out the placement of the port-a-potties pre-race! If anyone has a solution, short of Immodium, I'm all ears!

Coffee! One or two cups right when I get up and 15 or 20 minutes later, nature is calling me. Then I go out for my run and I'm awake, hydrated, and "relieved".

I prefer to run fasted. Ran 9 miles (for the first time) last Sunday, and neither number ones nor number twos caused a problem :happy:

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.