I’ve seen many recommend Imodium prior to marathon race to help control gastric distress. What is your approach? How many? When? Do you still get a good bowel evacuation prior to the start of the race? Can you tell if it affects your nutrition uptake during the race?
I tried taking one tablet just as I started a 20 mile run yesterday. Didn’t prevent the need from stopping for bm about 3 miles in, but I was fine after that.
I completely empty my bowels before the race, then take 1/2 an Immodium 15-30 minutes before the race starts and bring another one with me just in case. Works great, no side effects.
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Immodium is actually an opiod and it's mechanism of controlling your bowels is therefore identical to that of harder drugs in this class. It cannot cross the blood-brain barrier, and therefore doesn't get you high.
As far as taking it before a long race, do what works best for you. If you've had bowel issues on long runs, taken it, and had success, then you should consider it an option. If you haven't had these issues and are just anxious, then know that you will have a hard time evacuating your bowels until it wears off, since you will be constipated.
Most marathons have portable toilets that you can use if you haven't practiced taking immodium and you will lose very little time, as your body will be in high gear for everything you do, based on your level of exertion.
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