Q: Why the need to doo doo during a run?
Hey Lauren,
I often find myself sprinting for a bathroom either during or right after I run. Is this a diet thing or a running newbie thing?
-D-Money
A:
D-Money,
Definitely a common newbie thing, but no one is safe! The pounding stimulates the gut and can push through food faster than you are used to. That should subside as you adapt to running. In fact, after you’ve been running consistently for a while, your body will naturally want to poop at the thought of going out for a run, especially if you get on a semi-regular running schedule (i.e always at 8am or something). It becomes one of those Pavlovian responses. Pretty soon, if you don’t go for a run, you won’t poop. 🙂
Running is so much better if you’ve already released the beast, but sometimes the body doesn’t cooperate. There have been times before hard workouts where I’m practically willing myself to go, jumping up and down or whatever tricks I can think of…all so I don’t have a mid-run emergency!
If you want to avoid the mid-run nature stop in the morning, I recommend waking up and drinking 16 oz of water right away. Within 15-30 minutes, you’ll probably be ready to use the loo, and then ready for an uninterrupted run. If its consistently happening in the afternoon, you may need to move your meal up a half an hour earlier before you run (or push the run back a little) and have some more water with your food, or a little extra fiber (choosing a grainier sandwich bread could be all it takes).
Sometimes though, it just happens. There is a reason runners talk about poop so freely. We’ve all awkwardly used a Starbucks bathroom without buying anything. I invite all readers of this post to comment with their own advice on the topic. Lets see what the community as a whole has to say about this one.
Tips people?
-Lauren
As a very early morning runner, I have found that one strong cup of coffee helps me visit the ‘Catalog Review Room’ prior to heading out the door. Its not a guarantee, but it sure cuts down on the ‘in flight emergencies’ that runners experience.
Applesauce! Trust me, it is magic. I eat it for lunch whenever I know I have a run in a couple of hours and need to drop the kiddies off.
I’m a newbie to recreational running (well, more like fast walking!) also and have noticed similar needs. Its surprising that a good run will get things moving so efficiently; I actually enjoy looking forward to getting to a toilet afterwards because the feeling of relief is wonderful. Your picture for the article is very apropos since I do run on trials and have had to drop logs behind a tree on a few occasions…oh the joys of a much-needed bowel movement.
Watched you win the 5k and now I’m so glad I found your website for this question alone. I thought I was the only one that had this wonderful wonderful problem. If anyone reading this saw me in the alley the other day behind Malvern St, I’m sorry!
Nope, newbie or not, the issue never goes away. Trust me, just about every run for the past 17 years I’ve structured my runs around an impromtu bathroom stop about mile 2-3. My irregular running schedule doesn’t help. As Lauren said, you can often get on a good schedule and either get rid of some weight pre-run or at least predict the urge during the run and prepare for it.