Advice needed for a running newbie with tummy issues!

[Katieve75]

Hello all,

Oh gosh, where to start?

After receiving encouragement from healthy work colleagues, I decided to take up running back in January. I even entered a 10k race which is now in a few weeks. I couldn't run for more than 45 seconds to start off with so when I ran (didn't walk at all!) 11k this weekend, I was elated (especially as I'm an ex smoker and never dreamed I could achieve this).

However, I'm experiencing an incredibly embarrassing issue when running ! Last week I ran a 7k route, sprinted up the driveway, shot through the front door shouting hello to the family, launched myself into the bathroom and collapsed on the toilet with utter relief.

This weekend was awful. Sorry if this next paragraph has TMI. Half way round the 11k route and my tummy tells me something was going to happen. I tried to ignore it, hoping the feeling was just wind - it wasn't. There was nowhere to go !! I ran a little further thinking there was no hope and I'd have to do a Paula in the country lane and pray no cars would come along, when a gateway to a field appeared. I vaulted straight over the five bar and hid behind the hedge. Luckily, I had paper which I'd take with me in case of an emergency but never thought I'd actually need it!

I managed to enjoy the rest of my run but I'm now panicking about the race - I don't care how long it takes me to get around the course. What I'm worried about is now obvious! My PF isn't great as my DS was a 10lb'er and my fifth baba which probably doesn't help. Nor am I a 'regular' gal.

What do I need to do to try and stop this from happening ?

I'm half tempted to use one of my DS nappies just in case!

ANY advice would be very much gratefully received!

Hi Katieve, I get this too, I often have to stop for an al fresco Paula but as most of my runs are rural there are plenty of places I can stop without too much fear of being seen. I hate it though
I worry during races too and I have started taking a loperamide ( Imodium) 2mg tab about 30-60 mins before a race. Can buy them from any pharmacist. I have done this 3 times now and haven't had any problems during the race, it gives me a bit more confidence too. I don't usually like medicating but I choose to for races.
I also watch my diet the couple of days before a race, I know spicy food sets me off so I avoid that. I am worst first thing in morning anyway so a race starting late morning isn't usually so bad, but most of my runs are early morning.
Good luck in your 10k

Eating light and healthy, and avoiding coffee helps me avoid those Paula moments.

There are whole threads about this issue on the Runners World website.

Thanks for the advice familygermsareok. I'm so glad I'm not the only one!!

I've got some Imodium in the cupboard so will see if it makes a difference for my next run. I haven't started to tailor what foods I'm eating so perhaps that's the next step.

What do you eat over the couple of days before your race? I don't think I'm intolerant to any food nor have I found anything that's really 'binding'!

I had the same problem anytime that I ran for more than an hour.

If I am going for a long run now, I do it first thing in the morning with just a piece of toast and some water (used to have porridge) for breakfast. I also take one immodium before I go. Seems to work and have not had any issues for a while.

It is quite common so don't feel too bad.

Thanks OneHandFlapping. I've read quite a few of the articles online that are about this issue but they talk about marathon runners - 2k in and no one would want to be downwind from me!

Katieve my usual diet is heavily vegetable based with some chilli or curry spices most days. For the two days pre race I avoid any spices and eat bland food, baked potato with baked beans and cheese or macaroni cheese are favourites. I don't carb load but I only race up to hm distance so I don't really need to. My usual diet is quite carb heavy anyway as I love my toast and pasta
I eat my usual breakfast of toast and coffee on the morning of a race but at least 3 hours beforehand.

For normal runs I just accept that I often need to stop for a Paula. I can need at 2 miles in or be ok for 10, it varies. It happens just as much when I'm running on empty early morning as after food, but I always leave 2 hours after food as running soon after eating does provoke it (and makes me nauseous!)

I haven't found any particularly 'binding' food either, but I avoid the things I know are likely to make me worse pre race. Like them too much to totally change my diet though

Oh dear, my sympathies, I have been struggling with this for ages! I also live rurally, so basically dash behind a tree. I take a small bag with some tissue in, then bring it home with me and straight into the bin.

I usually need to go, sometimes it can happen three times on a long run, last week was good, only one needed. I go high protein and white processed carbs for 36 hrs before a long run.

I am doing a HM next month and so I will be using Imodium.

Oddly, I have done several 10ks and it's never an issue racing, I think it is linked to a slow steady pace for me.

I am a regular girl and can sometimes go three times in a day normally, so I don't think there is any way to fix it in my case!

Oh god. Not adding anything useful to this thread but this happened to me last week. I run in town. Had to stop at soft play to use their loo. I'd have been skrewed if they said no! I didn't realise it was a thing! Running is AWFUL

I do live in fear of this & usually time my runs to go through the town centre/a pub/anywhere with a public toilet! I have been caught out a couple of times though

Agree with previous posters that you need to experiment a bit with food & find what works for you. Avoid spicy & heavy food for a couple of days before races & stick to refined carbs for breakfast before running. Bagels & jam are my pre-run breakfast of choice.

Also this might sound a bit obvious but try to use the loo before going for a run.

This is really common (even Paula suffered!!!). I have to be super careful with nutrition and I have been prescribed Mebeverine to help with my stomach issues. For me, it seems to be based more on speed than distance - so I can get a bad stomach doing a fast 10k, but be fine on a 30k training run. When I race I take a Mebeverine and an immodium before I start, and another Mebeverine after, and this seems to do the trick.
A LOT of runners take immodium before they race.

Nutrition advice: don't drink coffee or tea before you run. Avoid very high fiber foods/brassicas/beans. I find running on as empty a stomach as I can works for me, which means getting up mega early to eat before a morning race but it is worth it. I once had people running for cover out of a public toilets after a big city marathon...NOT FUN!!

I have this problem. Often during training runs and always after a race (10k or HM). I've just run a mraathon and after every food station had stomach ache and at around 26kms I had to to have a Paula stop in a place that wasn't private. It is definitely speed, cold and effort which cause my problems. I'm going to try an Imodium before my next race. I paid a lot of attention to diet so it isn't that, I'm just one of the unlucky ones.
It isn't just the embarrassent of the pitstop, I gained 4 mins on my finishing time because of it!