Going back...

[Mrs_James_to_be]

Me and my friend were up to R3W4 when another one of my lifelong friends died due to alcoholism on 15th July. We ran once last week and rewinded back to R1W3. Anyone else had to do this? I'm determined to get there... Also, being an almost 50 year old women, my bladder isn't as good at holding off as it used to. Any tips on drinking lots of water without having the urge to run in a bush... I'm worried for future, lengthy runs when this could potentially pose an obstacle. Tia, as always. X

[backintime Graduate]

my only advice is to run early in the morning after going to the loo lol

also, perineal muscle strengthening exercises do work, I had lots of practice after my 3rd

[Mrs_James_to_be in reply to backintime]

Simple advice, thank you. Why hadn't I thought to just get up and go? Thank you so much. xxx

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Sorry to hear of your loss and totally understandable taking some time out.

There’s drinking water and then there’s hydration. If you down a litre of water, 90% of it at least is coming out pretty soon. I sip water all day every day and I don’t need any extra loo stops. It’s a strange habit to form... sipping water when you’re not thirsty, but after a while it’s second nature.

Welcome back and enjoy your journey

[Mrs_James_to_be in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thank you so so much. More brilliant advice. I think I overdo the water intake. xxxx

[GoogleMe Graduate in reply to Mrs_James_to_be]

I think we panic a bit - there's so much about 'dehydration' I found it helpful to treat a drink as a reward for completing the session rather than taking anything with me on a C25k length run, and, as UnfitNoMore says, it is more about generally upping your fluid intake.

I think it is very common to get feelings of excretory urgency when you start running... it comes up such a lot here, but it often seems to just settle down naturally.

[Buddy34 Graduate]

So sorry about your friend. Also as long as you pee before a run you should be fine until you're back home . 😊

[Run46 Graduate]

Yes, the pesky bladder problems us slightly older women have after kids etc!...I've found that drinking plenty the day before a run but then only sips in the hour before works well for me. Also I go for a wee the second before I run, even if I went 15 minutes before I still pop to the loo just before leaving. I have found that now I've been running a while this has stopped being a problem as long as I follow those rules. It used to be something I worried about as the bouncing around involved with running seemed to make me want to go but my muscles seem to have improved in that area too...running is defo a full body workout 😆👍

[Run46 Graduate in reply to Run46]

Also, I'm very sorry about your friend💕...my Dad died from alcoholism about 10 years ago, it is a terrible sickness, turns a good, intelligent person into someone that makes awful life altering decisions.

[Mrs_James_to_be in reply to Run46]

Yeah, it really does. I'm sorry you lost your Dad to this dreadful disease. xxxx

[Run46 Graduate in reply to Mrs_James_to_be]

Thank you xx

[Mrs_James_to_be in reply to Run46]

Really? That's interesting. I'm just so grateful for this forum where I know any worries I have, someone else has too. Thank you so much. xxxx