Distance Runners...have a ? for ya...

I

Imafitnessfreak

Cathlete
Carole, Dani, Elaine and everyone else here who does long runs on a regular basis...I have a question...

Whenever I do a long run, by the end of it my tummy gets pretty wacked out! Sometimes I feel it after 10-12 miles, sometimes not until I am done running. I know I need to eat very soon after a long run but NOTHING agrees with me and I find myself darting to the bathroom! I have to force food down but then for the next few hours I have dibs on the bathroom!

Why is this happening? It seemed even worse today. I am experimenting with energy gels however, this happened even before the energy gel days. Is it because all my blood is assisting my muscles and there isn't enough blood in my stomach to help with digestion??
 
Hi Sarah....are you eating before? It took me awhile to find a good gel as some would effect my stomach like that. I don't think it has anything to do with blood. I have some other question for you but due to the nature of them...I'll email or PM you...:)...Carole
 
This is a problem for me too. I've found that the only gel I can use without disastrous resluts is Carb Boom orange vanilla flavor. Gatorade is the only thing I drink besides water. I eat a very light dinner the evening before a long run and a low fiber light breakfast a couple of hours before I run. If I'm inconsistent with this then I can have trouble.

check out these links:

http://www.ehow.com/how_8932_prevent-runners-trots.html

http://www.time-to-run.com/doctor/runnerstrots.htm

http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/injury_archives/trots.html

Carole, if you've got some info send it to me too! I haven't exactly found the magic bullet yet!!! :)
 
A couple more ideas. I have yet to find a gel that I like, so I take small nibbles of a Power Bar & drink Extran (Gatorade type liquid). If your stomach is very sensitive, just go with an energy drink.

Have you tried smoothies post run? Add protein powder to get the 4 carb/1 protein ratio you need after endurance work.

One more thought. DH discovered he was lactose intolerant while training to hike Mt. Whitney. He had digestive problems during training hikes, & then monopolized a bathroom post hike. Consider the possibility that you have a food intolerance that gets aggravated by the stress of endurance exercise.

Debra
 
>Carole, if you've got some info send it to me too! I haven't
>exactly found the magic bullet yet!!! :)

Elaine I so wish I had the magic bullet!!! For me though Gatorade plays havoc on my stomach...I have been able to use others though and currently use Accelerade drink and their gel as it is the only gel with a little protein in it. I do feel besides carbs for long runs that protein can also help. The only time I have a stomach problem if is my IBS kicks in and I haven't made a trip to the bathroom before my long run...yeah...TMI....:)....Carole
 
Thanks so much, guys!!!! That is a huge help and I have some awesome ideas to play with! I think #1 on my list is hydrating more before miles 8-10! I always hold off until I am really ready, or ready for a gel, because I am afraid too much water will make me have to pee!

Which brings me to another question...what hydration rules do you to follow to keep yourself out of the ladies room? Elaine, I know you had wonderful success on your marathon...how did you pull it off?

Other thing...what do you eat the morning of your long run?
 
Sarah....luckily for me I rarely have to make a pit stop due to water relief! Even when I start drinking after the first 15 min. You just need to test that. Try it at home on your treadmill for your shorter runs. I normally have oatmeal with some protein powder and nuts before a long run. But lately the oatmeal is hard to get down. So I've been using whole wheat toast with vegan butter and PB...seems to work fine...:)...Carole
 
I was having the same problem-anything over 45 min was turning into run to the bathroom with cramps.I read on coolrunnings to try imodium AD 1 hour before run .I tried pepto bismal instead (yuck) but it worked.
 
Shelia, Did the pepto or imodium screw up your "routine"...if you know what I mean? I love being so "regular"...would taking that stuff mess that up, do you think? I only do 1 long run per week, so I'd only take one dose a week...
 
Sarah,

For the marathon I just ran there were aid stations every other mile beginning at mile 3. At the first aid station I drank 4 good swallows of gatorade. At mile 6 I drank 4 good swallows of water. At mile 9, 4 good swallows of gatorade. And so on until about mile 18 where I drank two swallows of each, water and gatorade. I practiced this on my 18 and 20 mile runs so knew it would work good for me.

I ran a marathon in SF last year and drank too much and ended up having to pee during the marathon. That pissed me off both figuratively and literally!!!

The four swallows was perfect for me. I might have been mildy dehydrated at the end but it sure beat stopping in the middle of a race to use the porta potty!

I normally start drinking around 4 miles and then whenever I feel thirsty when I'm out on an everyday, workout run.
 
I read someplace a couple of years ago that bowel problems can be a result of dehydration. I can't remember the exact rationale, but I took it to heart. On my longer runs I'd try and find a fountain halfway through to refill my 16oz bottle. Once I got past 10 mile runs, I bought at 20oz bottle and did the same, so I ended up drinking a lot. I didn't have to pee until about 30 minutes after I finished my run. I do sweat an absolute TON though.

I'd experiment with drinking more fluids and try out different drinks and mixes. Gatorade works like a charm for me. I tried something else once- once- and was cramping up like crazy after mile 4.

I'm sorry to say, I think you just have to experiment to see what you respond to- or rather, what you DON'T respond to! :D Good luck!!
 
Amy, No need to "sorry to say...". Before you guys came to my rescue, I had absolutely no clue what to even experiment with!!!

I do think dehydration is an issue. I am stingy with fluids until after my run because I DO NOT want to stop to pee! I do drink 1-2 cups of coffee and that contributes to my "morning regularity". On the threads from Elaine, some suggested steering clear of coffee prior to a long run...well, SHOOT ME then! Hell no! I'd much rather spend the 3 hours after a long run in the ladies room! Besides, the threads and the tips from you all has given me tons to work with!!!

Thanks so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :* :* :* :* :*
 
Sarah...I really hate to say this but as a general rule of thumb. I have 2 cups of coffee EVERYDAY!!! Yes, even when running...:)..Carole
 
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