Preventing bathroom stops during long run

experiment with diet. It may be what you eat, and it may be when you eat it. Runners often have issues with meat and dairy if they run within a few hours of eating those foods. If I tried to run 3 hours after pasta, it would be a disaster! I need at least 4 hours for a moderate meal, more for a large one. Ideally, do your long runs at the time of day you expect to start your marathon/half marathon. Of course this isn't always possible...that's why I bring toilet paper with me too if I'm "worried"!

Runner with runs wrote:

I waited 3 hours after a pasta lunch before I went for 13.1 earlier and still had to stop twice.

That's your problem right there. You shouldn't just expect to feel great GI-wise after having a pasta lunch.

Try running first thing in the morning after a very light breakfast and a BM. My long runs are usually run early(ish) sunday mornings about an hour after oatmeal w/ honey and a coffee.

In the morning I tend to be alright, I drink a bottle of water and have some watery oatmeal - visit the bathroom and leave 30 minutes later.

But what the heck can you eat for lunch if you need to go for a run later in the afternoon?

Oh and whats a BM?

I really thought I was fine GI-wise today, had spent a long time in the crapper before.

Stopping twice during a 13 mi run is too much for any time of day. You should be able to at least go 45 min to an hour in the afternoon without a problem, even that close to lunch. Heartburn would be the more likely symptom of running to soon after eating.

Running in the morning is better for the reason noted above, but may not be the answer for you. Diet is probably the issue. If you are always having trouble after eating pasta, you may have an issue with wheat gluten. More than likely, it is probably dairy that is the issue. If you eat yogurt or cereal with milk at breakfast, try switching to something non-dairy. Gassy green veggies or beans may also be an issue. You just need to try eliminating possible trigger foods in your diet until you find what works.

If you are concerned about races, try taking a half of an immodium pill, or even just a quater, before the race. Make sure you test it out on a long run before trying it at a race. Immodium is strong stuff and can give you some stomach aches and can also be dehydrating.

Thank you. I find that if I wait 4 hours I end up feeling hungry...shouldn't I have less energy after 4 hours of no-food? Or do you just eat a banana half an hour before?

Don't leave until right after you take a dump. Also, I find that listening to music while running makes me have to crap. Mythbusters actually busted the myth but I know for a fact that it's true.

Both times were within about ten minutes but around the 50-minute mark. No heartburn.

I think the parmesean cheese on top sealed the deal. Maybe I should stick to beef pasta. But its always this whole-wheat vegetable pasta (the tri-colored stuff). Not eating any beans or gassy greens though there are chopped peppers, tomatoes, celery and onion in the pasta.

Oh and yeah, Runner with Runs and Happy Runner 123 are the same person. Forgot the ambiguity.

Happy Runner 123 wrote:

Thank you. I find that if I wait 4 hours I end up feeling hungry...shouldn't I have less energy after 4 hours of no-food? Or do you just eat a banana half an hour before?

I can roll out of bed, take a swig of water, and be out the door, but some people need a little more than that in the morning before they go run.

Try tempering your hunger with something very light, like toast with honey. Although, you know what they used to say at Oregon..."A hungry tiger hunts best!"

Races - Immodium. 1 90 minutes before the race, 1 15 minutes before the gun, 1 in my shorts pocket if I feel the demons brewing.

Worst case, pull to the side, squat and drop, then take off. I've done this in front of horrified crowds a few times, but it only takes 10-15 seconds.

Morning coffee is like Drano for me - everything is cleared out.

Would you take immodium before a marathon though?

Happy Runner 123 wrote:

Would you take immodium before a marathon though?

I do before every race. Especially marathons.

Diet. It might not be what you have, but what you don't have.

Do you get enough fiber?

If you don't you might run into problems. I know it doesn't seem to make sense, but having a high fiber diet works. It moves slowly through your system, yes, but you don't get those urgent calls for nature and also you become more regular, which helps. I eat a lot of nuts, dried fruits, beans and whole grains. I also eat a lot of dairy and wheat without any problems.

I had that problem too. It turned out that eating cereal with milk was the culprit. I can eat dry cereal. I can drink as much milk as i want. When i mix the two, im screwed in all my runs for 2 days.

I also, just in case, make sure to eat 1 activia a day, and try to take a couple citracel's (fiber supplement) 1-2 hrs before i run. This will help regulate your movements, and your body will eventually learn to go right before your run. it helps if you always run at the same time, but not necessary. sometimes, i pop in citracel, and just psychologically i can make my stop within 10 minutes. works like a charm.

Do your runs on trails, and the world will be your toilet.

Agreed. I train regularly at a lakeside trail and take a dump in the woods every day. It used to get fairly crowded there on weekends but now that it smells like an open air sewer I've got the place pretty much to myself.

Off the Grid wrote:

Races - Immodium. 1 90 minutes before the race, 1 15 minutes before the gun, 1 in my shorts pocket if I feel the demons brewing.

Worst case, pull to the side, squat and drop, then take off. I've done this in front of horrified crowds a few times, but it only takes 10-15 seconds.

Morning coffee is like Drano for me - everything is cleared out.

You take 2 Immodium and still need to carry one for insurance? You may want to see a specialist. I'm not saying that to be a dick, but that seems highly irregular (no pun intended)

I eat a high fiber/raw diet, with very little processed food. I take 3-4 dumps a day normally.

I see a physician on a regular basis as well.

Appreciate the concern!

You know better than I. Best of luck!