I really don't want to get border line TMI here. Well, I'm fine with border line. I don't want to cross the line. I'll caveat to be fair: if you don't like poop, this post is not for you.
I have PLENTY of bowel issues I really do. I won't detail them too much here but for background information know this: they exist. Running really only makes them more extreme (that is, further away from ideal either in the form of constipation or diarrhea). I was doing well though, for a while. Like my long run two weeks ago? DELUXE. But last week's long run which was supposed to be 7.5 had to end at 4.5 due to the poo. The runs. Man. Biking and swimming have been fine but then Laur and I went for a run on Sunday and man oh man. Had to stop due to the poo. The... man there isn't a cool "the runs" equivalent for "a traffic jam" haha. Yes there is and it's "traffic jam".
Today, Tuesday, is long run day again. I was going to do 8.2 but since Emma was arriving at my house at 8pm I knew I had to cut it a tad short- plus I never made that 7.5 up from last week. So I did attempt numero duo at 7.5 miles.
Things were going GREAT! I ate well all day including a delicious mint Clif around 4:30 and a chocolate Gu at 6:15. On the road by 6:30 everything is grand. Around the 5 mile mark things went... wrong. 5 marks the end of one loop, and there is another 2.5 mile loop that I was going to do. Instead, I did 1 out and back (2 miles) which I couldn't complete without doing some squats. However, once I had ruined my time, a newfound burst of intestine control was found and I ran home- then did sprint loops of my street! In total I probs did about 7.5 miles afterall! Hooray!
According to this website,
Dietary changes that may reduce or prevent runner's diarrhea include:
- Avoid eating for at least two hours before running.
- Drink plenty of fluids before and after exercise. Dehydration can lead to diarrhea. However, avoid warm liquids, which can speed food through the digestive tract.
- Avoid high-fat foods before running, which can contribute to diarrhea.
- Reduce fiber and gas-producing foods for at least one day before running. These include beans, bran, fruits and salad. If you run every day, you'll have to find a level of fiber that you can tolerate. Otherwise, you can eat high-fiber and gas-producing foods after you run.
- Limit or avoid caffeine, which stimulates the bowel, for three to six hours before running.
- Limit or avoid sweeteners called sugar alcohols, which stimulate the bowel, for at least one day before running. Sugar alcohols are most often found in sugar-free candies, gum and ice cream.
- If you're lactose intolerant, switch to lactose-reduced or lactose-free milk and milk products.
Well, I'm glad we've had this discussion
4 comments:
I would just like you to know I was talking about training and I told somebody to read about my run and my runs at this website. CLEVER
That IS clever, Skins! tee hee!
I have been running for a long time, so I have The Big 4 all figured out.
Blisters - suck it up, and your feet will eventually get all callous-y and you won't get blisters anymore. (If you can tell the entire internet about your poo issues, ugly feet shouldn't be such a big deal).
Chafing - get some Body Glide, apply to the affected areas before you go running. Easy, peasy.
Bacne - Okay, I never had that problem, and if you change out of your sweaty clothes right away, it really shouldn't give you zits. But nevertheless, I'm sure Sephora has a cure. What a wonderful way to justify buying fancy things!
Bowel Problems - the only real solution is to wake up, and RUN. Right away, while your digestive tract is empty! It is nice to get long runs out of the way early anyhow, and you will become part of the badass 6am running crowd, and you can nod solemnly at the other Hardcores every morning. Waking up early is not super fun, but still far better than giving up Black Gold, or trying to run with clenched buttcheeks, dontcha think?
kiss kiss...
I would like to clarify for the record that I do NOT have bacne.
Also, solemn nodding sounds like fun! The thing is that in the morning I have low low energy. Not like "well get to bed earlier, you bum" but actually like, it feels like the opposite of sugar high. Like I need to stabilize my blood sugar. Maybs I'll try a mid distance run with a GU one morning. thanks lin!
Bacne - the fear of my life. I got one hige zit in the middle of my back last week. The horror. I mean, it is bathing suit season and all.
Bowels - I have been working out my solution for this for years. Bowels cost me from making it to OFSAA one year. No joke. I now only have diet coke as my long run reward. (I am actually having one now)
Blisters - My toenails are still growing back from when my toe blisters poped them off. I recommend cutting blisters off. I know that is not what you are supposed to do, but it hurts less in the long run...ha ha, the long run.
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