First HM soon - how to overcome the l... - Fun Beyond 10K & ...

Fun Beyond 10K & Race Support

2,583 members7,648 posts

First HM soon - how to overcome the laxative effect of running?

Langley-Loper profile image
Langley-LoperHalf Marathon
19 Replies

Oh dear, my mind, lungs and legs may be willing but my bowels are weak.

A few weeks ago I had my first running "accident". I now seem incapable of running without needing an emergency pit stop, even if I have evacuated before heading out. Last week I had to dive into the woods and emerged with my legs the worse for a bramble and nettle attack. I have also dashed into a pub and had to stop and walk when no facilities or undergrowth are available. I have not changed my diet or regular meds. It happens regardless of whether I ate one or several hours before.

Do I resign myself to taking a precautionary Imodium half an hour before every run? Does anyone else suffer this bad? Anything else I can do? It is becoming a real distraction on every run, wondering "when" rather than "if".

Written by
Langley-Loper profile image
Langley-Loper
Half Marathon
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
19 Replies
Rignold profile image
Rignold

I would suggest going light on the fibre the day before. And yes, for race day I would go with immodium for peace of mind. I wouldn't advise it as a regular (hah! no pun intended) measure, but you don't want that worry during a race (plus in my experience mid race toilet facilities range from grim to sparse to non existent.)

roseabi profile image
roseabiUltramarathon

Yes, I'm afraid it's very common :( The movement of running tends to stimulate the movement of bowels. I tend to train where I can find a loo, avoid fibre, beer, and chilli in the couple of days leading up to a race, and have Imodium the night before and again in the morning!

C3PO profile image
C3POMarathon

How long has it been this bad? I tend to find it worse for a period of 3-4 weeks in a build-up period, and then it gets much better. Will there be toilets available en route? Otherwise, I hear that lots of people take Immodium. I wouldn't, but I'm in a good bowel period right now.

Langley-Loper profile image
Langley-LoperHalf Marathon in reply to C3PO

It has been getting worse as the run length increases. I plan routes through woods or loops going near home every couple of miles.

Hillrunner2201 profile image
Hillrunner2201Marathon

I've had this periodically too which I can't attribute to any change in diet etc. Drinking coffee and having a small snack half an hour or so before a run usually 'moves things along' so I can 'go' pre-run. If not, I've planned runs where I make a toilet stop after a couple of miles.

Langley-Loper profile image
Langley-LoperHalf Marathon in reply to Hillrunner2201

Coffee I.e. caffeine triggers me too but even after a movement I will still need to go again mid run unless I use Imodium.

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Marathon

Have you tried running at different times of the day? I had a friend like this and she could never run in the morning for this reason.

Langley-Loper profile image
Langley-LoperHalf Marathon in reply to ju-ju-

Morning, noon, afternoon or evening can all be messy for me. Early mornings are worst even if I manage a post breakfast evacuation. I can't face running without a small breakfast inside me as my migraine drugs make me so drowsy first thing. I need some food and a mint tea to get me going!

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Marathon in reply to Langley-Loper

hmmm thats not great... perhaps drugs and extra padding is the way to go. That must be really horrible for you....

ancientrunner profile image
ancientrunnerHalf Marathon

I'd take the Imodium. Will always remember a race last year where one poor lady had an accident and it was very visible to all. I think I would have taken my top off and tied it round my waist. I did feel for her we were miles from the finish line so she had no choice but to keep going.

Langley-Loper profile image
Langley-LoperHalf Marathon in reply to ancientrunner

I think I'd squat by the roadside. On the bright side, completing Rignold 's squatz exercise has enabled me to adopt the correct position with ease to miss my shoes ☺

C3PO profile image
C3POMarathon in reply to Langley-Loper

I love this!

roseabi profile image
roseabiUltramarathon in reply to Langley-Loper

Ha!! :D

ancientrunner profile image
ancientrunnerHalf Marathon in reply to Langley-Loper

That made me laugh out loud. I first spotted her squatting in the long grass - technique must have been bad.

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Marathon in reply to ancientrunner

urgggg I hope she wasnt wearing white?

Langley-Loper profile image
Langley-LoperHalf Marathon in reply to ju-ju-

I don't think running shorts come in brown. I may have spotted a market opportunity. Now I just need a brand name.

Catch Alls - "Shorts for the party pooper".

Puddocks profile image
PuddocksHalf Marathon in reply to Langley-Loper

been there!

ancientrunner profile image
ancientrunnerHalf Marathon in reply to ju-ju-

Wasn't white but still very visible. I would definitely have taken my top off and wrapped it round me. Poor lady is probably still traumatised!!!!

misswobble profile image
misswobbleMarathon

😱😬. I always eat porridge when I am going running Wait an hour or So 😙then go out running. I stick to the same regime. If you find a fuel that suits you, stick with 😃 beware of milk! I make my porridge with water 🙂

You may also like...

First run at HM distance!

Jason Fitzgerald’s long run ideas on Strength Running so I’m aiming to extend my runs to around...

First HM run complete

Went out this morning in the frost to do a long run that I had put off from yesterday, having only...

First run out since HU HM 💪

would just be a slow stretching run.. but as soon as I started my run I felt bouncy and......

Any advice welcome how to overcome nerves on first ever race? 🙄🏃🏽‍♀️

c25k which I started in April with the aim of running the Cardiff half marathon on October 7th...

First Ever Real Life Run and it’s a HM - Aaahhhhh Nervous!!

any real life runs as I only started C25K last spring. I have done lots of virtual runs and have a...