We all know that feeling: cramping, nausea, flatulence, butt clenching dread. It starts off seemingly innocuous, maybe you have a few mild twinges in the lower abdomen but the urge passes. Next you find that urge has been replaced with a continuous barrage of intense peristaltic action, so forceful it can make your eyes cross. As you run around frantically trying to find a place to go you start to beg, pray that you can control it long enough before you have an accident.
As athletes we are quite prepared mentally to overcome pain and fear and spend hours upon hours testing ourselves physically. However, if there is one thing that can stop even the bravest at heart dead in their tracks – it is the need to poo. And not just the everyday kind, I mean the one that has been given it’s own name – Runner’s Trots.
Runners Trots can be due to many different reasons however the general consensus seems to be that the lack of blood flow to the intestines due to the diversion of blood flow to the legs can cause diarrhea/cramping. Add to this the fact that you could be dehydrated during your long training sessions and you have a recipe for “immediate evacuation”.
Having had this happen to me twice now I have realized it never happens at a convenient time or place. Your always out in the open, during the day or where there is an abundance of street lights so bright it makes an” operating room” look dim. So you run some more in the hope you may find a toilet or at least a group of tightly bunched shrubs to hide your exposed derriere. Or if you are like me – shrubs just don’t cut it as “stage fright” sets in.
There are a few things you can do to help prevent this problem happening in the first place:
- Try to avoid eating at least 2hrs before you exercise
- Avoid or limit your intake of caffeine and warm fluids
- Limit your intake of dairy products – especially if you are lactose intolerant
- Limit high fibre foods in the days leading up to a race
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Try to incorporate a rest room route
- Be aware of your bowel habits and try to go before you start exercising
- Try to avoid foods that are flatulence producing
But sometimes with all the best intentions and well thought out plans, when you gotta go, you gotta go. So the next time you head out the door keep in mind that “Code Brown” could be called. Will you be ready?
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