What benifit do you think it may be to "clear" your system before a race, with the effects of a laxative wearing off about 3-4 hours before a race. I figure you would be about 3-4 lbs lighter which could make a big difference in a 5k or 10k or any race for that matter. Any medical advice?
i dont think it would help, i poop naturally before nearly every race, i guess cuz im nervous, just eat a normal amount of fiber and a low fiber meal as your last before the race, laxatives only harm your body
if u do use a laxative it may backfire and make you go during, not before the race
empty and go wrote:
What benifit do you think it may be to "clear" your system before a race, with the effects of a laxative wearing off about 3-4 hours before a race. I figure you would be about 3-4 lbs lighter which could make a big difference in a 5k or 10k or any race for that matter. Any medical advice?
I'd advise against it for many reasons. Also, what kind of laxative are you talking about? A simple fiber supplement? Or an actual hyperosmotic or stimulant laxative? The latter types will really only serve to dehydrate you, as they'll draw water from your system to fill your bowels in order to provide more "bulk" flow. Either way, don't use the. Especially since you can become somewhat "addicted" to or dependend upon them. They're not something to mess around with.
Just ensure that you're getting enough good fiber in your daily diet, although you want to steer clear of high fiber meals leading up to a race. It might not be a bad idea though to choose high fiber foods (Fiber One cereal is GREAT) for a few days leading up to the race, and use that as a way to "cleanse" your system. Then back off a day or two before the race and just eat normally as you would.
Like those above, I agree. Laxative use is not a good idea. There is no gaurantee when they 'stop working,' and they may cause you to have to use the bathroom during your race, not necessarily before it. A few years back I had a pretty severe eating disorder, and was taking laxatives to help with weight loss. At the time, I was running track, and noticed a significant decrease in my performance when I had taken them. They make you feel like crap, like all of your nutrients and energy have been sucked out of you. Also, like a previous poster stated, they are easy to get addicted to. If you make it a habit using them, eventually you may become dependent on them. They're not a good idea.
your diet should be so high fibre that you can dump at will.
Definitely helps to be empty, but you ain't dropping 3-4 pounds with a dump
empty and go wrote:
I figure you would be about 3-4 lbs lighter which could make a big difference in a 5k or 10k or any race for that matter. Any medical advice?
cup of coffee, warmup, hit the can, race. what's the problem?
electrolyte imbalance possibly, dehydration, not a good idea.
When you get to be an old guy with a history of colon cancer in the family, you get ye ol' colonoscopy every few years. They clean you out with nuclear powered laxatives the night before. Anyhow, I had terrible calf cramping for days after my last colonoscopy, most likely due to the elecrtolyte imbalance from the laxatives. So, racing and laxatives would be a really bad idea.
nope wrote:
electrolyte imbalance possibly, dehydration, not a good idea.
At first glance I thought that said "Rexing and Laxatives".
Can you imagine?
Racing IS laxative. I have shown it many times.