Whats the secret...please

[doggytail]

Yesterday I ate very little fiber drank plenty of water to prepare for my week 7 run3.

Set off feeling positive 20 mins into the run the dreaded stomach cramps, just managed to complete the 25 minutes as i got to the leisure centre and dashed to the loo.

Met up with some friends on my way out was asked if i wanted to go brisk walking. As i hadnt done my cool down walk i went off with them .

Would you believe it 20 mins again stomach churning I broke away from my friends and just made it home.

I'm beginning to think i will never make a longer distance runner.

The good news is i completed week 7

Week 8 here i come...hopefully

[61Lady Graduate10]

I’m absolutely no expert but did suffer with this myself. I generally run early mornings so I make sure I drink plenty the day before - when I think I’ve had enough, I have one more glass and then take on more water first thing before I get changed to go out.

Also for me, I think nerves/anticipation/apprehension seemed to have an effect - especially when it was a time or distance new to me. What helped me (which I read about somewhere) was a bit of mindfulness on the warm up walk - just taking time to think of three things I am grateful for that day. This sort of thing doesn’t suit everyone I know, but it definitely calms me down and seems to have worked … so far 🙂

All the best for W8

[doggytail Graduate10 in reply to 61Lady]

thank you for your reply. I also am an early morning person, i will try to do as you suggest and hopefully it will work for me x

[61Lady Graduate10 in reply to doggytail]

Certainly worth a try - 🤞

[Dendev75 Graduate10]

sounds so frustrating and uncomfortable. Have you had this happen a lot before? I asked my running friends if she noticed her bowel habits changed as she ran more as I’d noticed that my need to go the loo has increased and can sometimes wake me up very early 🙄 she said it’s just everything is moving more quickly through our bodies due to the extra exercise.

[nowster Graduate10]

When was your previous meal?

[doggytail Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

sandwich at 6pm running at 6am

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to doggytail]

Well, that wouldn't be the problem!

First thing in the morning I know I have to "visit the facilities" at least twice before I can be sure I'm safe to run without incident.

[Hidden]

I have this a lot. I find a strong coffee really helps to get things moving.

[doggytail Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

I want to stop things moving😬

[Hidden in reply to doggytail]

Lol, yes have a coffee and use the facilities and THEN go running x

[doggytail Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

👍🏃‍♀️ x

[Kirst13 Graduate10]

I'm so glad you've brought this up. I have the same problem and sometimes I'm happy to have missed it on the run, only to get it badly an hour later when walking the dog. I spoke to my GP and he could only suggest cycling instead of running. I've more or less cut out coffee and I think that helped a little (definitely helped the bladder). Someone put a link on here previously that addressed runners trots and it was helpful, but I still have the problem quite often.

[doggytail Graduate10 in reply to Kirst13]

I feel your pain and a fat lot of help your gp was. If i cycle at the gym it hurts my lady bits🤣

I find if i run in the evening i can just about manage it. I do like to run early morning though.

I have cut my coffee down to 3 cups a day which is brilliant for me having been a coffee addict .

It looks like there is no secret so i will have to find routes that have public loos on them( few and far between)

Good luck on your runs and lets pray that both of us conquers the joggers trots x

[Kirst13 Graduate10]

I'm about 3 coffees a month. I've turned them into treats that I look forward to. Routes with public loos, or very isolated works too......

Hope we both conquer it. Although it is quite common I think, but not talked about. At 12 mins 30 secs here, they say to expect it though youtu.be/BPwx5BHICgg(Not working as expected?)

[nowster Graduate10]

I've had to "go in the bushes" a couple of times on rural runs.

[dijep Graduate10]

A couple of weeks ago when I was nearly home after a long run,I stopped to chat with a friend and those dreaded stomach cramps started I made my excuses and ran off got homejust in time. Its so difficult to deal with. For me I think I've worked out too much bread causes problems. If you think it could be food related a food diary may narrow down the problem. But as others have said so many things can be the cause.

Goodluck and atleast you know you aren't alone.

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate10]

this is a very common issue especially for new runners. There is a very long thread on here relating to it which I will try to add.

From my personal experiences;

Coffee is a strong laxative however if your tolerance is high it won't be as effective.

The key is to train your body into visiting the loo enough times before you head out. I did this by thinking or even saying out loud, heading out running, now is the time, and visualise the run motion.

Also some home exercises beforehand, stretches that include bending over or down repeatedly.

Once fully "run trained" you should find as soon as you get your gear on you can take care of business before going out for the fun part! 👍🏻😁

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate10]

the post i mentioned healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[HeavyFoot Graduate10]

A laxative two days before? Using one the night before is dicing with death (well, almost).

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to HeavyFoot]

If it's picolax you'll be making a sprint for the loo within 15 seconds of taking it.

I won't link it directly here, but there's a rather funny and graphic account from a Scouser about preparing for a colonoscopy if you search for "the picolax thread returns singletrackworld.com"

[VG11 Graduate10]

I read an article last week that said running in compression socks can help with this - can’t recall all the details but from what I remember it said they push the blood back upwards which can help.?

[Cmoi Graduate10 in reply to VG11]

I've only ever heard of compression socks being used to reduce leg cramps, not for intestines.

[VG11 Graduate10 in reply to Cmoi]

sorry - can’t link but see attached

Runner

[Cmoi Graduate10 in reply to VG11]

Thanks for the link. Unfortunately I can't read more than that headline and intro text as the site's subscriber-only. It appears to be referring to long runs and marathons, so it would be interesting to see if it might be relevant for C25K type runs.

[limberlou Graduate10]

my daughter always says “ as soon as the Lycra leggings hit my thighs I have to go” and she doesn’t even drink coffee!!

Luckily I only had this the first couple of times I ran.

[doggytail Graduate10 in reply to limberlou]

wow lucky you x