Slightly embarrasing running problem

del_piero

del_piero

del_piero

Associate
Joined
6 Apr 2006
Posts
212
Hey guys,

So I've been running on and off for nearly 2 years now. Started off at about 2 miles every other day, and have gradually built up to 5 miles on a treadmill. Doesn't seem like much of a leap over 2 years, but I have had periods where I've taken weeks off due to lazyness.

Anyway, yesterday I decided I would run 10 miles. I occassionally decide to do such things, even though I'm usually pretty tired by the time I've done the 5 miles, but I have previously run 7 miles on the odd occassion before.

Anyway, by the time I got to about 9 miles, I had this really strong feeling that I was losing control of my bowel, and it basically felt like I was gonna poo myself :eek:

So I stopped running for 2 minutes, but I didn't actually need to go to the toilet. So I started up running again to complete the final mile, but experienced the same feeling again about 3 or 4 minutes later. So I stopped again for 2 minutes, before starting again to complete the 10 miles.

I have experienced this thing before, but nowhere near as bad as yesterday, as I always previously managed to 'gain control of the situation' without having to stop. But that was running shorter distances. I'm guessing the feeling got stronger the further I ran.

I have read that this has happened to professional competitors before in marathons (some of the stories don't sound at all nice!). But 10 miles is nowhere near marathon distance, so it seems rather strange.

Are there any ways of preventing this, does anyone know? Is it down to diet, running style or dodgy bowel?

Answers appreciated!
 
Aye, it's one of those things I'm afraid. You can mess with your diet to see if that has an effect, make sure your properly hydrated - just a case of trial and error to see if anything works. And try to have a good clear out before you go running!
 
Runs giving you the runs eh? Have you ever thought of a career in extreme japanese pornography? They probably haven't thought of that scenario yet.
 
No one actually knows for sure why this happens, motion, dehydration, lack of blood flow to the bowel as it is going to other muscle groups etc.

I don't suffer from this as badly as I used to as I now try to have a relatively low residue diet in the days before completing a longer than normal training session or race.

If it becomes a real problem then there is a drug that you can buy, that many distance runners and other endurance race competitors take. I can't remember what it's called off the top of my head but a little research should be able to find it without too many problems.
 
Best read this...

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/runners-diarrhea/AN00376

..before you end up like this...

caption0606NSFW1.preview.jpg
 
PaulStat said:
Really? When she was squatting I'm sure she was peeing not pooing, thought that's what the commentators concluded too
Click to expand...

Pretty sure she had the squirts.

A quick google could prove this but I'm not that bothered to look tbh. Not after chocolate shorts a few posts up and definitely not at work.
 
I'm obviously not a doctor but I'd guess that it has something to do with the flight or fight response present in most animals - although you don't necessarily feel the fear when running for pleasure, you may just have triggered the bodies natural desire to evacuate the bowels so you can run faster and more comfortably.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom