Why is it that when I set out for a run in the morning I can't use the bathroom before hand. I really want to use it. I would love to make sure that I get it out of the way so that I don't have that nagging feeling the entire way, will I or won't I have to go. I think most of my anxiety pre-race revolves around number twos. I wake up on race day and the entire time I am getting ready I try to tell my body that it needs to cooperate and go while I am at home.
It doesn't seem to matter whether I eat breakfast and have a cup of coffee an hour before I head out or just have a light breakfast of yogurt or not eat at all. I can never seem to go before I set out for my morning run. Then about two to three miles into my run my stomach starts to do that crampy uh-oh thing and I know it is not going to behave. Some days I am able to walk for a couple of minutes and talk it back from the brink of danger. And then some day like this morning, I have to cut my run short and head home so that there will be no embarrassing accidents.
I run in my neighborhood which is largely residential. There are no woods or secluded places to stop and use a bush. There also aren't any bathrooms along my way. I just have to grit my teeth and hope that I can make it home in time.
I wish that I could say that I have figured out what foods cause this problem for me. At first I thought it was because I was eating too much fiber or because the night before I had a cocktail. I have cut alcohol completely out of my diet for the last two weeks and I have reduced my fiber intake the day before my runs with little success.
I just hope that it is not like this for my half marathon in January. I would hate to wait in the porta-potty lines or have an accident with 20,000 people watching. Maybe I should invest in some depends.
Does anyone else have these issues? Am I the only one with these embarrassing problems?
What are you eating the day before and the morning of? I usually go with the traditional pasta the night before all of my long runs and the morning of I usually have an English muffin with peanut butter and a banana. Usually my coffee will do the trick for me! Also, water plays a big part in digestion so make sure you hydrate enough the day before and try to drink a glass in the morning too. Also I make sure I allow at least an hour after I eat before I run to make sure my food digests and make sure I have time to do my business. Good luck...I know that can be frustrating.
ReplyDeleteUgh, is it not the WORST?! It is such an awful feeling, and the last two races have also not had bathrooms anywhere available. I'd hate to go on someone's front yard! That would be a terrible thing to find when you walk out to get your morning paper!
ReplyDelete@Lauren I had rice, chicken and broccoli the night before and a yogurt the morning of. I skipped my coffee until after the run. I had my coffee and an english muffin after the run. I usually don't wait long after I get up to get out the door and run. I have to be at work by 7:30am so I want to be in the shower by 6:45am. I should just get up earlier but the thought of getting up at 4:30am makes me want to cry a little.
ReplyDelete@Tyly it makes me feel better that someone out there feels my pain. Thanks for sharing. :-)
This has happened to me a few times and it really stinks! (Pardon the pun!) No tips or tricks, but I just wanted to let you know that I feel your pain!
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