Poo and Running

codename_steve
codename_steve Posts: 255 Member
edited November 22 in Fitness and Exercise
At least once a week, my run is thwarted by the intense urge to poo. Usually I go before I leave the house, but still within the first mile, I urgently have to go again, and it doesn't subside. Which usually leads to me cutting my run short to get back home.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to handle this? Is there anything I could be doing to make sure it's all out before I leave? Or is it possible to change my "schedule" so that I go at night instead of first thing in the morning? I already get 25-30 grams of fiber a day and drink plenty of water.

Replies

  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    Are you running at a time when you'd usually be on the pot?
  • codename_steve
    codename_steve Posts: 255 Member
    No, if I were to not run at that time, I would not be on the pot instead.
  • BasicGreatGuy
    BasicGreatGuy Posts: 857 Member
    Are you eating a lot of fiber in the morning?
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    make the first mile of your run a warmup loop that brings you back by your house/public bathroom and then start the big loop from there
  • codename_steve
    codename_steve Posts: 255 Member
    No morning fiber, this is first thing after waking up before I consume anything.
  • litsy3
    litsy3 Posts: 783 Member
    DavPul wrote: »
    make the first mile of your run a warmup loop that brings you back by your house/public bathroom and then start the big loop from there

    I was going to say this. If it's always in the first mile that's easy! Some people get it 10 miles in. :)

    I always run before breakfast if running in the morning but find it helpful to have half a glass of orange juice to get things moving - perhaps you can encourage yourself to go twice before leaving the house, e.g. with a cup of coffee.
  • dmoutinho
    dmoutinho Posts: 1 Member
    Hey,

    That happens to a lot of people. Once I had to stop on a Half marathon 15k to go to the bathroom, and I was so desperate that, at that point, I would care if I found one or not.

    I think there are 2 ways of dealing with this issue. But they are highly individualized.

    Either you go before and be ok during the run or you prepare your body to not go during run time.
    I like to go before, so I take a cup of coffee half hour before and sometimes eat an orange has a pre-run carbs meal. That would cause me to go asap. But to each it's own, bottom line provoke your trip to the bathroom before.

    The other way, you can eat less fiber, because that will cause you to go more often. You can also avoid eating at all 2 hours before you run and try to maintain a strict "poo schedule".

    But I usually have those problems on race day (because of the stress), not during training. I think you have to check that fiber consumption.

    Cheers
  • mwyvr
    mwyvr Posts: 1,883 Member
    Coffee before hand may allow you to, uh, get it all out of your system.
  • IsaackGMOON
    IsaackGMOON Posts: 3,358 Member
    You need a good detoxing Sonny Jim 8-)

    *smirks*
  • jacklfc88
    jacklfc88 Posts: 247 Member
    this happens to my dog when i take her out first thing. she insists on me chucking the tennis ball at least once before she runs to get it and then squats by the ball. mad.
  • WakkoW
    WakkoW Posts: 567 Member
    Very common problem. Google "Runners Trots" for more advice on what to do.

    I run in the morning after drinking coffee to get things moving.
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