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Embarassing Runner Question...

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Replies

  • JoannaEngel84
    JoannaEngel84 Posts: 49 Member
    This has nothing to do with what you're eating the night before or in the morning before your run. This is a really common issue that has been addressed by runner's world magazine. Basically, running gets your bowels moving. I get up a half-hour before my run and have a little coffee (most warm drinks will help) which usually gets things going before I head out so I don't need to stop during my run. If you can't do that, find a route with toilets nearby so you can make a pit stop if you get the urge. If you search runner's world's website, tons of articles will show up. Here's a fun one:

    http://www.runnersworld.com/rt-columns/the-process-of-elimination
  • itodd4019
    itodd4019 Posts: 340 Member
    I will run closer to home if I have a consistent habit- or have a cup of coffee and wake up a little earlier to get the coffee moving and try to hit that up before... if not- run around the block- for me it happens soon into the run- rather than miles and miles.

    It happens- it's normal.

    yup! we get up early enough. I take my suppliments, have a cup of coffee. It seems like my flax seed triggers my pooh! Then off we go!

    edi to add- It's ok to GingerBread in a race, as long as you are in the lead! haha too gross
  • No_Finish_Line
    No_Finish_Line Posts: 3,661 Member
    ok, you want honesty, i shat myself during an insanity warm up once. i finished the warm up, then took a shower. there i said it lol
  • lcgr13
    lcgr13 Posts: 12 Member
    Hopefully you are feeling better now that it happens to most of us! I use a few of these strategies, including plotting a route with a toilet whenever possible, doing my longest runs on the late morning or afternoon, not eating before a morning run, etc. Also, my GI doc told me it is OK to take a couple Immodium if I have not pooped before a race and fear I might need to while on the course.
    If you are only running 3 miles, you certainly can do it without eating breakfast first. That should help.
    Good luck, and keep running!:smile:
  • chevy88grl
    chevy88grl Posts: 3,937 Member
    Why I run in the afternoon ... ;-)

    Or in the evening. Then the "business" is done and I can enjoy my run without issues. ;)
  • bostonwolf
    bostonwolf Posts: 3,038 Member
    Do you drink coffee before you go on the run? Caffeine is known to get things moving down there.
  • PJPrimrose
    PJPrimrose Posts: 916 Member
    I use tea to get things going before I work out. VERY ANNOYING but you will eventually train your body to go at the right time.
  • likitisplit
    likitisplit Posts: 9,420 Member
    Every runner deals with this. There is no way around it. The best thing to do is to "go" before you start running, or if you can't do that, find a route that has lots of port-a-potties. I run around a lake with lots of facilities.

    This. As a number of people have said, coffee helps.
  • kristinegift
    kristinegift Posts: 2,406 Member
    I eat a lot of fiber in the mornings, so by the next morning, I'm ready to go before I leave my house... if you know what I mean :) Train your body to evacuate ASAP in the morning so you can be free & clear when you hit the road.
  • mamarundrc
    mamarundrc Posts: 1,577 Member
    One thing that has helped me is I will go first thing when I get up. I eat and get ready to run. Right before I run I do a bunch of jumping jacks... usually by the time I reach 50, I have to use the facilities and then MOST of the time I can make it through my run without the urge to go. On mornings I run I try to avoid coffee until after but I can not run fasted, I get wicked bad headaches and really dizzy when I tried.
  • ksuh999
    ksuh999 Posts: 543 Member
    Running shakes the shi**ies out.

    Better than a Dulcolax chaser.
  • thavoice
    thavoice Posts: 1,326 Member
    I dont usually havwhen i train, but at times when I do races I will get up extra early and have coffee, or some sort of energy drink that makes me go within 20 minutes!!
  • RunFarLiveHappy
    RunFarLiveHappy Posts: 805 Member
    I will second several comments:

    Caffeine about 30 minutes before = you're golden!
    Running otherwise fasted = yes, even less issues.
    Not rolling out of bed and running = great advice.

    Also yes, this happens to ALL runners. ????????????????
  • RunningMom42
    RunningMom42 Posts: 121 Member
    A cup of black tea as soon as I wake up works for me.
  • litsy3
    litsy3 Posts: 783 Member
    It doesn't happen to ALL runners (never happened to me!). But it's quite common, and apparently is often due to a mild lactose intolerance. I have runner friends who've totally eliminated the problem by drinking less milk throughout the day (and definitely not drinking milk before a run).
  • lilyp91
    lilyp91 Posts: 22 Member
    I know your pain! The advice I've seen on here so far is terrific. I also wake up earlier so that I can run in peace. I sometimes go for a run without eating first but find it difficult to muster past ten miles on that plan. When I have a longer run, I'll eat something low in fiber. Once the long runs get to twenty and longer, I take Immodium. It's not ideal but keeps me from having an emergency while out with my running group or during a marathon.
  • Lisah8969
    Lisah8969 Posts: 1,247 Member
    ok, you want honesty, i shat myself during an insanity warm up once. i finished the warm up, then took a shower. there i said it lol

    Confession is good for the soul!
  • lisalsd1
    lisalsd1 Posts: 1,519 Member
    If I were you, I would try waking up a bit earlier and eating a bit earlier. I eat b'fast around 8am, then 915 (when I get to the gym) like clockwork...I'm ready...to go. I can't drink coffee before I get to the gym on cardio days; it makes me sick. So I'm not sure coffee would help or hurt you.
  • westendcurls
    westendcurls Posts: 252 Member
    My morning runs are not that long but I just don't eat before I go. if anything a banana & that's only if I'm famished!
  • Laughter_Girl
    Laughter_Girl Posts: 2,226 Member
    Bump.

    Being new to the running thing (W7 of C25K), I thought this just happened to me. OP, thanks for having the guts to post this. Will check out the tips and tricks.
  • future_rockstar
    future_rockstar Posts: 711 Member
    I'm currently training for my second 1/2 marathon and have this issue now that the distances are getting longer - we're up to 12K. I've tried eating/not eating (and yes, I'm eating a couple of hours before running)...something like a small banana or 1/2 a homemade muffin with some water as I don't drink coffee. I've also tried using Immodium, but it doesn't seem to get the job done for me. I'm trying to focus more on changes I can make the day before now. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

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