After many runs, and I only run 2-4 miles, I many times have to run to the bathroom after the run and sometimes have to cut the run short. Does anybody else have this problem and what can I do? I'm not a runner but a weightlifter, just try to get about 3 runs in a week.

Use the restroom before?

I won't have the "urge" or even be able to.

Here are my tips:

Take a dump right before you go run. My runs always seem easier if I dropped the kids off at the pool shortly before running. Not sure if it's psychosomatic or actually beneficial, but it seems to help me. If I've gone over about a day and a half sans playing the Browns at the Super Bowl, I just feel sluggish when running.

If you can't do it before you run, try and become more consistent. If you run in the morning, enjoy your morning dump. If you're a once every couple days dumper, eat more fiber. You should be going once a day. Once you get more regular, you'll find it easier to go at the same time.

Eat 1 hour before you run to give the food time to settle in your stomach before you go and shake it up.

I already go at least once a day and last night I went right before my run. I also eat roughly 1-1.5hrs before any run. I think I just have an issue where my stomach gets upset from a run because when I go after the run, it's ummmm of very watery consistency. I also drink plenty of water.

Consistency breeds consistency. Find a normal time of day to run, and your body will adapt.

Also, my general rule of thumb is to wait at least 3 hours after eating to run, for anything other than a small snack (like a cookie). Avoiding more than a couple of gulps of water in the last 30 minutes before you run can help your stomach feel better too. Have you considered that you may be drinking too much water? I think I drink around a gallon a day to stay hydrated, but that's including running ~10 miles; if I don't run, I'm overhydrated and have to pee every 30 minutes. Drinking water all day without using it could leave it sloshing in your stomach.

Also pay attention to what you're eating the day before a run. After a lot of trial and error, I know there are certain types of foods that will definitely give me problems on the run the next day.

Hmm, I've had that issue in the past which led to a really unfortunate situation in a neighborhood once. Sometimes the question is not if you are going to make it, but how big of a skid mark are you going to leave.

As for your issue, it really dpends on the person, though there are certain things that are more prevelent. For example, if you're sports drink is introducing carbohydrates into your body at a percentage higher than what you can process, it gets sent on the express lane out. I think that figure is about 8% concentration, by weight.

I should add that, even when I get a good movement in the morning before the run, I often feel my stomach saying hello in the last couple of miles, and have to go again when I finish my run (and sometimes before I finish). I think it's just part of running.

Welcome to runner's poo

You're dehydrated. Drink lots before and during your run to get u through.

I had to drink lots at mile 5-9 on my first half marathon and take an imodium to prevent this on race day.

20 minutes on the dot is what it takes for me to have to take a poo if i haven't gone that day already. never fails. sometimes that means i need a 20 minute warm-up (race day).

00 and I have the same issue it sounds like, 30 minutes into a run and I am lookin for a RR. The most annoying thing about running, IMO.

the worst is when i'm out on the trail halfway through a 6 hour training run, at least a 2 hour run from the nearest bathroom and it hits.

last time that happened, i hadn't seen another hiker or runner for probably over an hour. i headed off into the trees and right in the middle of going, i see an asian couple out for a stroll. i kept quiet and they didn't see me off in the distance, but it was about to be an uncomfortable encounter for all of us.

[This message has been edited by AggieOO (edited 8/3/2010 1:29p).]

Three things I always carry when I run: road ID, 20 in cash and enough tp for a pit stop in BFE

during the fall/winter/early spring when there are no leaves, TP is a good idea.

late spring and summer, not a problem, nature provides the TP.

although, once i had to finis a run without socks

I used to run with a hat during the summer, when most runs were at least 14-15 miles, and kept TP tucked in the fold in case I got stuck somewhere out in the woods.

One day I went up a hill off the trail to take care of business, and right after I squatted, I heard a chain saw go off not too far from me. I looked around the other side of the hill, and not 20 feet from where I was squatting, a prison work crew was about to start clearing brush . . . and the prisoners with chainsaws were between myself and the guards. I managed to make it another mile before needing to go again.

quote:

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I think it's just part of running.

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That's my take on it as well. I get the trots on probably 60% (or more) of my runs (no pun intended). I've just learned to deal with it. I can sit on the throne all morning before a run trying to purge, but it does no good. Put a couple of miles under my legs, and BINGO, it's go time.

I try to plan ahead and coordinate my routes so that I'll have a porta-potty in the vicinity.

"You know you're a runner if . . . the sight of outhouse orange or porta-potty periwinkle makes your bowels panic involuntarily."

God that 10 mile run I did saturday, I had to go around mile 3...

Most uncomfortable run I've ever had.

I never have any issues with needing to take a dump but I am constantly backfiring.