1/2 Marathon DISASTER!

dwh77tx
dwh77tx Posts: 513 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Well, let me start off by saying it wasn't a total disaster as I didn't walk at all and finished around 2:10. However, I didn't eat veggies or fruit for 2 days, no artificial sweeteners yesterday, and even took 2 immodium an hour before the race. It didn't work! I had to make 2 unfortunate potty stops and then a longer potty stop once the race was finished. I'm home now and have been in the bathroom off and on. I know you are supposed to refuel but all I am doing is drinking gatorade. I think this is the end of my running career. My last long run (11.2 miles) went great with the 2 immodium so I'm not sure why this happened. Even last Sat. when I ran 4 miles ( at an 8:30 pace- fast for me) I was in the bathroom for the afternoon. I'm discouraged but thinking this is the end of running for me. My body is obviously telling me it's not happy. I'm 36 :(

Replies

  • autumnblade75
    autumnblade75 Posts: 1,661 Member
    Why the Immodium? Do you regularly have digestive issues when you aren't running? Perhaps you should see a doctor about that.
  • fleetzz
    fleetzz Posts: 962 Member
    I am sorry that happened--I would suggest speaking with the long distance running folks in their group to see if they have any suggestions. Also ask your doc if you can take more than 2 Imodium (not sure how that would affect sweating, which is pretty important when you are running so far).

    Perhaps it is just anxiety coming out <literally>.
  • pkw58
    pkw58 Posts: 2,038 Member
    Why I stick to 5k's...
  • ThickMcRunFast
    ThickMcRunFast Posts: 22,511 Member
    Sorry this happened, but its important to note that sometimes you just have bad races. Its ok to feel bad about it, but you can analyze what happened, learn something, and move on.

    Do you normally have problems? Do you normally cut fruits and veggies out before runs? If not, the change in your diet might actually be to blame. Did you go in those two days before the race? Drink coffee beforehand? Have a lot of fat the day before? There could be a number of factors.

    Even with runners who have this problem, sitting in the bathroom all day after a race isn't normal.
  • brookfield58
    brookfield58 Posts: 7 Member
    Sorry to hear you had a bad race, Have you thought it could be the Gatorade at fault ? do you drink it during the run. I never have these problems in training but sometimes when racing I do - I think it is a combo of nerves and the extra effort on race day.
  • Chewbacca262
    Chewbacca262 Posts: 25
    Don't give up.
    Here are a few links I found

    http://www.mayoclinic.org/runners-diarrhea/expert-answers/faq-20058107

    http://www.active.com/articles/causes-and-solutions-for-runners-intestinal-concerns

    http://www.active.com/nutrition/articles/how-to-avoid-runner-s-trots-880937
  • HMVOL7409
    HMVOL7409 Posts: 1,588 Member
    What did you eat beforehand is more the question and did anything change prerace? How did you treat your previous long runs and did you have issues then?

    When I was training for my first 1/2 and had stomach issues post run, never during, I found it was due to dairy and high fiber. Never had to take Imodium however some have to. This doesn't mean the end of running, it means you need to figure out what works and what doesn't for your running fuel.
  • rayvynn5374
    rayvynn5374 Posts: 272 Member
    find a good GI doc!!!!! Stop gatorade!! Hubby has colitis and too much gatorade screws him up. Also what did you eat the day before race?
    Good finish though!!!
  • rayvynn5374
    rayvynn5374 Posts: 272 Member
    Don't give up on running so quick! It could be simply a diet thing. I notice if I eat spicy or garlicky foods the day before I have potty issues as well. This includes pizza or spaghetti
  • LKArgh
    LKArgh Posts: 5,178 Member
    Do you have some health problem? I hope you do not think that running causes serious bowel issues normally, right? If you do have some health issue, then maybe shorter runs are a better goal for you?
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    What is your HR for these efforts, like the 4 miler at 8:30/mile pace, and the half at over 9 min pace?

    You could be just going to high intensity your system is getting screwed up trying to do that.

    Do you warmup prior to training or race?

    What about non-running days, do you change the diet 24 hrs prior to running different than other days?
  • dwh77tx
    dwh77tx Posts: 513 Member
    I do not have health problems. I only took immodium as it worked for me the last time. I try to avoid big salads the day before I run. Maybe it was the large Gatorade I had last night- not sure. I don't wear a hrm anymore!
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    Some stomachs don't react well to Gatorade at all anytime, and especially not during exertion.

    Hence the question of intensity during the run. If too intense, you aren't going to digest much of anything, which can cause stomach issues during and later.

    For half-marathon distance, and a reasonable pace, you don't need any refueling during the race, you should easily have enough stored carbs for that distance. Unless you cut back on carbs prior to race, big no-no during a diet, where you are running semi-depleted anyway.
  • meritage4
    meritage4 Posts: 1,441 Member
    I have irritable bowel syndrome. the type where I have the ****s frequently.
    To mange it I usually take 5 metamucil pills with 8 oz or more of water. Daily-after breakfast.
    I have run 2 1/2 marathons and 1 full marathon with my routine.
    Days I was running I would take the fibre pills AFTER the run. Same on race days.

    Stopping to go to the washroom twice on a 1/2 marathon is really no big deal. Why do you think the portapotties are there?
  • Mrscanmore
    Mrscanmore Posts: 865 Member
    I have a really sensitive stomach when I run. I think race days make it worse because of nerves. No matter how thirsty I get, I make myself not take any Gatorade. It always makes it worse! Try experimenting with what you can eat while you run.
  • spicegeek
    spicegeek Posts: 325 Member
    Many distance runners develop lactose intolerance - maybe try cutting out the dairy
  • rduhlir
    rduhlir Posts: 3,550 Member
    I do not have health problems. I only took immodium as it worked for me the last time. I try to avoid big salads the day before I run. Maybe it was the large Gatorade I had last night- not sure. I don't wear a hrm anymore!

    Did you drink gatorade before your 11 mile run? I do mid-run fuels, as it takes me over 2 hours still to cover the HM. But I never over-due the electrolytes. What ever you did for the 11 mile run is what you should have done for the race.

    Don't worry, everyone has sucky races. Just pick back up and keep on going. Definately talk to a GI about your issues.

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