Bowels

[Puddocks]

Hi,

Have done several half marathons now- go me! - and am becoming increasingly concerned re bowel movements. Even tho’ I do go to the toilet before every race, around mile 6 , I get familiar rumblings and then all I can think about is a toilet! Had a few near misses! Any advice please?

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

Loperamide (e.g. Imodium)

[Langley-Loper Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Agree - I take 2 or 3 before a race for peace of mind. Not bothered if I am then constipated for 2 days, at least I don't have an embarrassing incident!!I've tried all the what to eat and what not to eat advice - no difference. Probably as much in the mind as anything, but the loperamide works for me.

[Puddocks Half Marathon in reply to Langley-Loper]

Thanks for this!

[Puddocks Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Thank you!

[Domolos Half Marathon]

I had a close encounter on a run to an early morning club event, thank goodness for Tesco's facilities. The next couple of times I went to the same event I had same problem.

For morning runs, I now get up an hour before I want to set off. I have a drink, do some stretching & walk around the house plus at least 2 trips to the toilet.

🤞I've been OK last two times going to club event.

I do wonder how much influence our minds have over this....

[Puddocks Half Marathon]

Thank you!

[nowster Metric Marathon]

The advice of being up at least an hour before heading out for a longer run is good. Also, caffeine can have an effect on some people, encouraging bowel activity.

I had an "urgency" problem two Sunday mornings ago, requiring me to cut short a planned 10km run and make a beeline back to base. I hadn't had a second visit to the loo that morning.

[Puddocks Half Marathon in reply to nowster]

Hi nowster, Yes, I def don’t do coffee!

I have lemon and ginger tea and nothing to eat- it often isn’t foolproof! Had to queue for 7 mins during a race yesterday adding unwanted minutes to my finishing time!

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon in reply to Puddocks]

I think the thinking is more that if you do have a coffee it will help you to evacuate before your run rather than during...

There's loads of posts about this topic (it's such a common problem).

You can train your body to know that you're going running and get it to a point that you will always go before leaving home, in my case multiple times.

Not eating is no guarantee of not needing to go. All that plodding up and down is just the best recipe to beef to empty your bowels! 👍🏻🤣

[Puddocks Half Marathon in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Tbh, I hadn’t realised it was a problem for so many- I thought it was only me! Thanks for the advice x

[Tasha99 Marathon]

Imodium

[Puddocks Half Marathon in reply to Tasha99]

Not keen to take medication tbh