Eating and waiting before a run. Advice needed

What you're experiencing is commonly referred to in the running circles as "the Runs." You should be able to find some articles on it.

I sometimes have a problem with this when I dramatically increase my mileage. There are a few things you could try.

1. You could try to increase your fiber intake--even try taking a supplement.

2. Or, take papaya supplements (which is a natural anti-gas remedy). I recommend this because when I go for long runs, with all the jossling around, gas seems to want to get out of me (and sometimes there my be some "you-know-what" blocking that gas from getting out, causing you to have stop and release that load).

3. Also, some people have told me that limiting water-intake before a run also helps. Hydrate continously throughout the day, don't dump water down your throught all at once before you run--it's not going to help.

I like to wait at least 2 hours before I do a run always. I feel like this is the bare minimum needed for my body to take care of some of the food I've just had. It is probably best to wait 3 or even 4 hours before workouts and races.

As far as what to eat, everyone is different. Just try to keep it light. I've found a soup and sandwich for lunch gives me the energy I need for an afternoon run. It is also clean to run through your system.

Stay away from that fatty, greasy cafeteria food. No ice cream, potato chips, cheese, etc. at lunch. That should help. I always try to eat at least 4 hours before I run and I don't eat a lot of garbage.

Thanks for all the replies everyone. I thought about geting enough calcium, carbo, etc... I haven't had any french fries or others junk pass through my system in awhile so I should be fine in that area.

The lack of fiber sounds like the most possible idea. I'll look into that. Thanks again.

it sounds like you already know the answer, d 3. if you only feel good after about 5 hours of no food, then that is your answer. if you run at 3:30 or 4, like most colleges, you should be able to grab a meal at 10:30 or 11 and still be fine. that works well, run a morning run, eat, wait a few hours, have another small meal, wait 5 hours, run.

a solution for the long run would be to do it early in the morning. i always do mine on sunday morning, before eating anything. try not too eat too late the night before.

for workouts and races, just make sure you warm up well and try to get everything out during the warm up period.

Three suggestions -

1) If you are a coffee drinker, try drinking a couple

of cups 2-3 hours before running - this will help to clear

your system before running.

2) Try taking a fiber supplement - I use Citrocel which

tastes reasonably good and seems to work for me. I take

it twice a day - before bed and first thing in the morning.

3) If you do decide to stick with not running until 5 hours

after eating, then I would recommend getting some liquid

calories in just before you start running to make sure your

blood sugar doesn't get too low - e.g. drink a bottle of

gatorade 5 to 10 minutes before you start.

There are several causes to this problem. If you are dehrated, then you will be constipated and this will cause a problem when running. This will be much more severe in the summer than other seasons. It can also be cause by stress. Stress has a tendancy to knot up the stomach and intestines. Diet can also be a factor.

There are severals remedies. One, is to have a small glass of prune juice with supper. This will help to regulate your system. Another is to simply make sure that you are hydrated. You can also go for a two of three mile run, then hit the toilet. Then your subsequent run should be fine. I've had this problem, but it was caused mainly by stress. Now that the main source of stress if gone, I am fine.