Please help embarrassing problem when running

[katedan]

I am currently training for a half marathon but can't run for more than 5km without needing a poo (sometimes VERY urgently) apart from that my training is going quite well but it is massively impacting my training. I have tried eating 2 hours before so I can poo before I run and assume not eating at all would impact my energy. I don't want to pull out of the half but I really don't know what to do. Does anyone have advice? I already take imodium before I run which does not help.

I have this too.
What makes it worse for me (it’s all individual): coffee, sugar, alcohol, stress, menopause.
What makes it better: avoiding the above; and training it out - the year I did a trail marathon by the time I ran on the day I had zero problems. But at the beginning of my training plan I had problems with 5k. I think I trained my body to deal with the digestive stress.
Unfortunately I found once I fell off that high level of training, the problem came back; I think it’s best to pick a level of fitness you want to stay at, and build habits to stay there. The body loves routine - give it the right signals and it will respond. Confuse it and it’s all over the place…
Also like you it doesn’t affect me doing other exercise. I think there’s nothing like running or hiking to get everything moving!

I always run on an empty stomach. I eat well the evening before, usually have a poo before I head out, and am normally fine (even on the half marathon distances). I'm lucky that I run mostly deserted trails so I can dodge behind a hedge if I do get caught short, which used to happen quite frequently but now my body seems to have got the hang of things.

Needing a wee, on the other hand seems to happen every five minutes!