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2014-05-16 8:55 AM


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Subject: Strange question, but I need to know
I used to train in the afternoons, but with kids and a busy life I've had to move my workouts to early in the morning (5:00 a.m.). On my running days I have a problem that is embarassing to discuss but I have to think I'm not the only one who experiences this. A lot of days I find that I have to poop about 10 or 15 minutes into a run. I've had to cut several runs short because of this issue. I never used to have this problem in my afternoon workouts. I think it has something to do with my digestive system "waking up" just as I'm getting going coupled with the up and down movement of running helping move things down the system.

For anyone who has dealt with this, how did you get around this problem?


2014-05-16 9:02 AM
in reply to: shepherdsflock

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Subject: RE: Strange question, but I need to know
Yes.

I have a morning routine that involves me getting up, making my coffee. Walking around the house just enough to cause some movement. Takes about 5 minutes. I take care of my business and then go run. Very rarely do I have a "Code Brown" but I have modified my run route to go by a clean convenience store at about mile 2 that I've hit a few times. But I dare not go out in the morning without doing it before I leave. My wife thinks it's crazy...but by now my body knows what and when to do it and protests if I try to deviate from the schedule.
2014-05-16 9:37 AM
in reply to: shepherdsflock

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Subject: RE: Strange question, but I need to know
Yes.

I've had a few "Code Brown" situations as well. Key is to try to get things loosened up and done before you head out if possible.
2014-05-16 9:38 AM
in reply to: dprocket

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Subject: RE: Strange question, but I need to know
First, there are no embarrassing questions here on BT. One of my favorite thread titles of all time has to be "Horrific Clitoris". LOL!!! It was full of actually helpful suggestions and discussions.

I mostly workout in the afternoons, but on morning race days or 8:00 am 5k days, my body is still on its regular morning schedule. I find that if I get up and eat just a little something, about 15 minutes later, I'm ready to "drop the kids off at the pool". :-)

BTW - "Code Brown" now that's funny!
2014-05-16 10:16 AM
in reply to: DannyII

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Subject: RE: Strange question, but I need to know

I do not leave the house on an AM run without either having taken a morning poop or a supply of toilet paper in my pocket.

Now, I know I may be setting myself up for the typical BT assassination thread, but there have been times that the TP in my pocket has allowed me to continue on a nice run.  Just to clarify, I'm not dumping in people's yards, I do happen to live close enough to the edge of town so that I can take a route that involved some "ditch dumping" as I like to call it.

Primarily, though, I try to get up, move around a bit so that I can "Drop the Kids off at the Pool" before I go for a run.

 

 

2014-05-16 10:29 AM
in reply to: siouxcityhawk


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Subject: RE: Strange question, but I need to know
I wish I had more time in the morning, but to get in an hour run, eat breakfast, shower, get dressed, and be to work at 7:30, I have to go directly from bed to running. No time warm up my bowels and get stuff out. I might have to opt for the toilet paper strategy. Just find a quiet place to do my thing and hope that in the early morning darkness nobody notices me. I run on a multiuse trail with some wooded areas adjacent to it, so I could probably find a somewhat private area to take care of business.


2014-05-16 10:34 AM
in reply to: shepherdsflock


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Subject: RE: Strange question, but I need to know
Fortunately I haven't had any true brown-outs on my runs, but I have had to walk as briskly as possible back to my house to use the toilet. I would like to stop that. I'm glad to hear I'm not alone with this problem. Thank you for the responses.
2014-05-16 10:51 AM
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Subject: RE: Strange question, but I need to know

Originally posted by siouxcityhawk

I do not leave the house on an AM run without either having taken a morning poop or a supply of toilet paper in my pocket.

Now, I know I may be setting myself up for the typical BT assassination thread, but there have been times that the TP in my pocket has allowed me to continue on a nice run.  Just to clarify, I'm not dumping in people's yards, I do happen to live close enough to the edge of town so that I can take a route that involved some "ditch dumping" as I like to call it.

Primarily, though, I try to get up, move around a bit so that I can "Drop the Kids off at the Pool" before I go for a run.

 

 

I'm woman enough to admit to the same---living in the desert has its benefits on those early morning runs.



Edited by ingleshteechur 2014-05-16 10:52 AM
2014-05-16 10:55 AM
in reply to: shepherdsflock

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Subject: RE: Strange question, but I need to know

I used to live where I could run by a public restroom 1.5 miles into my run. It was AWESOME. 

Now, I'll find a gas station or fast food joint to duck into if I'm in town. Rarely have I had to find a big enough cactus to hide behind.

2014-05-16 10:55 AM
in reply to: shepherdsflock


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Subject: RE: Strange question, but I need to know
Back off the pace a bit? It happens to me from time to time, but all but once I was able to get my run in and back home without missing a sock. It tends to happen more if I'm running hard.
2014-05-16 11:04 AM
in reply to: ziggie204

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Subject: RE: Strange question, but I need to know

Originally posted by ziggie204 Back off the pace a bit? It happens to me from time to time, but all but once I was able to get my run in and back home without missing a sock. It tends to happen more if I'm running hard.

 

I just spit my coffee out.  LMFAO!!!

 



2014-05-16 11:12 AM
in reply to: siouxcityhawk

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Subject: RE: Strange question, but I need to know
This is actually one of the reasons I don't try to run in the morning anymore. Agreed with all of the above, for me coffee was the trick. But, even still, I found that I need to plan my route to have emergency pit stops. I did find out what time several markets and gas stations opened. The worst was when that special feeling would come after 45 minutes or more into the run. Always left me feeling like, "really, now? why?"
2014-05-16 11:35 AM
in reply to: shepherdsflock

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Subject: RE: Strange question, but I need to know
Originally posted by shepherdsflock

I wish I had more time in the morning, but to get in an hour run, eat breakfast, shower, get dressed, and be to work at 7:30, I have to go directly from bed to running. No time warm up my bowels and get stuff out. I might have to opt for the toilet paper strategy. Just find a quiet place to do my thing and hope that in the early morning darkness nobody notices me. I run on a multiuse trail with some wooded areas adjacent to it, so I could probably find a somewhat private area to take care of business.


Something else to consider - since most races are in the AM and have early start times - and since you never want to try anything "new" on race day, you may want to figure out your morning routine so it is predictable on race day. Finding a couple days here and there when you can get up earlier may be beneficial As odd as it sounds, for a while that was a real worry for me on race day. However, I have figured out my timing and now have a routine set that I know is tried and true and I go into race day without the additional worry.
2014-05-16 11:38 AM
in reply to: shepherdsflock

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Subject: RE: Strange question, but I need to know
I barely made it home yesterday man!!! I am now doing my long runs during the week, and I was on mile 7 of 15... luckily I run loops around the hood or I would have been in a bad place. And I already went once before the run.....

I understand the up early thing. I have to be ready to go at 7, get kids up and to school and be at the office by 8. I don't like it, but I had to choose either to not workout, or wake up earlier than I've ever woken up in my life to get the miles in. That means, adding 30min to eat some, and poop. It's just part of the workout. If you want to run without a bad feeling... you just got to get up earlier and "go" before the run.

I will say, that I have training my body over time (unconsciously), to do the deed before a workout. It's gross, but kind of funny.. .just thinking about working out makes ....."my body react".....

Crap, got to go!!!
2014-05-16 11:42 AM
in reply to: shepherdsflock

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Subject: RE: Strange question, but I need to know
Stupid strong coffee about 30 minutes to an hour before I go run usually does the trick.


2014-05-16 11:52 AM
in reply to: shepherdsflock

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Subject: RE: Strange question, but I need to know
Originally posted by shepherdsflock

I wish I had more time in the morning, but to get in an hour run, eat breakfast, shower, get dressed, and be to work at 7:30, I have to go directly from bed to running. No time warm up my bowels and get stuff out. I might have to opt for the toilet paper strategy. Just find a quiet place to do my thing and hope that in the early morning darkness nobody notices me. I run on a multiuse trail with some wooded areas adjacent to it, so I could probably find a somewhat private area to take care of business.


I have almost the identical schedule. I just means that I have to get up 20 minutes earlier. And I know that means less sleep, or early bed times. When I first started this routine, I actually had to make an effort to Coach the Browns in the Super Bowl first thing after getting out of bed. I mean, it took some real effort. But, now my body is used to it.

And, in my earlier post I fudged a bit (pun intended). I actually don't get up and make my coffee. I have a coffee pot that has a timer so by the time I get out of bed, grab my clothes (laid by the door) and walk downstairs to grab my pre-brewed coffee, the troops are already banging at the door ready to storm the porcelain gates. If something unforseen happens (like the cat wants inside) we run the risk of a big problem.

Believe me, once you get your body on your schedule, it can move pretty efficiently.


2014-05-16 12:47 PM
in reply to: dprocket


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Subject: RE: Strange question, but I need to know
Totally normal. Since I started running in the morning I have to do my pre-run dump or it will hit me while I am running and force me to do an unscheduled speed workout.

Like others have said, moving around a bit in the morning before you get going helps.
2014-05-16 12:50 PM
in reply to: tb1000

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Subject: RE: Strange question, but I need to know
there have been a few times out on my run, where it has been thank god for a place with public bathrooms - the doc had me on a medicine a few months back and it wrecked havoc with my system
2014-05-16 1:02 PM
in reply to: austhokie

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Subject: RE: Strange question, but I need to know
Whatever you do, don't take a product called "Colon Blow" shortly before a long set of 800s with your track group (speaking from horrible experience)
2014-05-16 1:49 PM
in reply to: shepherdsflock

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Subject: RE: Strange question, but I need to know

This does happen from time to time- however I have the joy of living in a rural area where I can duck into the desert brush almost anywhere.  I ALWAYS run with toilet paper.  I've had to stop 0.1mi from my door once, because I couldn't make it home.  (it's ok, still rural desert)

the only issue I have is that my dog sits by the side of the road and waits for me.  One time, as I was squatting in the brush, a car pulled up wondering why there was a dog sitting alone along the side of the road.  I waived from the brush and said "he's with me".  

I usually get a 1-2 mi warning.  So, hopefully you can adjust your route options to allow for this.

On more than one occasion- a construction site porta potty has come up at just the right moment.

FWIW- a famous, top, female ironman pro competitor couldn't make it to the finish line a few years ago, and squatted right there in the finish chute in front of a million spectators.  there are probably images on the web... I don't recommend searching for them.

2014-05-16 1:52 PM
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Subject: RE: Strange question, but I need to know

I guess this is the place to tell this, and much as it pains me to recall. 

In the days between my last two bouts with triathlon, I duck hunted from Canada to Mexico, and all states within the Mississippi flyway.  It was something I always wanted to do and I was nearing the end of a period of time when I trained retreivers and had a really good dog to take along on my journeys. 

LIke many have posted here, it's common for me to take care of my daily constitutional about 20 minutes after I've awoke for the day.  I put some coffee on, take care of business, and I'm on my way, no matter where I am or what's going on.

And so it was I found myself standing next to a 2000 acre marsh wondering why this particular morning had gone differently. I thought maybe I ate something the night before that didn't need to be expelled.  Maybe the motel coffee from the lilttle mom and pop dive we stayed in wasn't really coffee.  It didn't matter. I didn't have to go and my buddies were waiting for me to make up my mind on making the 1/2 mile wade-in to our hunting spot with them or standing on the bank waiting for nature to call.  I guessed I didn't have to go, so into the water we went.

This particular day we were hunting a waist deep marsh that is flooded artificially.  It had some row crops, a few short willows, and a few dead trees laying over, here and there, that had not been cleared when the re-development and wetalnds reclamation project had taken place.  I wore chest waders, and the water came to just above my crotch.  We waded out for about 30 minutes, careful with each step, like you have to be when you can't see your feet or what is under the water.  Once at the spot where we intended to hunt, we threw some decoys out, and leaned up against some small willow scrub bushes.  We had about 45 minutes until the sun would start to rise, so we opened our thermoses and enjoyed a cup of coffee.  It was shortly after when I felt the first rumblings.

I can say now, looking back, I wasted no time heading for dry land.  I have often thought that maybe I didn't heed the initial warning signs, that somehow the outcome of this story would have been different if I had gotten a quicker start.  I don't think so.

There is no good way to relieve yourself when water will come to the crack of your arse if you can even possibly get your waders down that far.  Nevermind the freezing water that will pour into your waders and end your day.  I brifefly considered climbing into one of the willow scrubs to gtet some clearance, but I was easily 220 lbs. then, with another 30 or so lbs. of clothing so there was no way the one inch limbs would hold me.  I would have to wade back to dry land. 

I guess I had made it about 150 yards when the first wave of doubt hit me.  I REALLY have to go and there is no way I can make it.  I had already been reduced to very small shuffling steps and had to stop every 20 yards or so to squeeze........and pray.  I was sweating, and beginning to resign myself to the fact that this would end poorly, when I remembered a large tree that I had seen in the water about 50 feet offr of the path we walked.  I thought I could make it there and at least have a chance to get out of the water.  I shuffled, stopped, squeezed, prayed, and sweated for another 10 minutes or so when I finally spied the tree.

I don't think I was more than 50 feet away from salvation when it ended.  I don't know enough about the digestive system to be able to write about the forces that come into play when you can finally no longer hold it, but I lived it.  Really, it was a relief when it was over.  I stood there and crapped my pants.  I even kind of sat back a bit and let the water prop me up some.  What else can you do?  If I would have had a cigar I'd have lit it and enjoyed the moment even more.  It felt good.

When I finished I headed for the tree.  I climbed up onto it at a point where there were some branches to hold on to, and began to shed my clothing.  I had decided I would strip down naked, use a t-shirt and the available water to clean myself up, and head back to the hunt.  It was a mess, but there I stood, naked in the middle of that marsh cleaning myself off.  My waders, pants, and other items I hung in the tree branches near me.  I was bent over rinsing out my t-shirt when I heard the voices.

I'm not going to try to describe the feelings that wash over you, so to speak, as you stand naked in a marsh in the middle of January and realize people are coming toward you.  But, it should suffice to say they aren't even close to what you feel when you see the first ray of a hand held spotlilght track toward you. I have nowhere to go.  I'm not done cleaning myself up.  I stand motionless to try to hear what the voices are saying but that ends when one fo them says, "that tree has got to be right around here".  Here comes the light again......great.  Now I can hear them clearly, and for the second time in the last 15 minutes I just resign my self to my fate.  I stand up and wait for the light.  It doesn't dissapoint me, and really, neither did the reactions of the hunters trying to find my tree.

GODDDDAM"!!!" 

The first guy yelled that. 

"HOLY CHIT!!!"...another one.

Thanks.

The funny thing was that they kept the light on me.  I guess shock does that. It causes you to freeze. 

"What are you doing?", a voice called.  "I chit in my pants", I answered.  "Do you need any help?", the other voice said.  I started laughing, "whatcha got in mind?"  Silence.

I said I'd be done in a minute but really didn't need the light.  They laughed and turned it off.  I todl them I wasn't hunting by the tree and they were welcome to it.  They declined the offer.  And then they just waded off. 

I put myself back together and went back to my buddies.  They wanted to know what the yelling was about.  I told the story and we were so broke up laughing that we missed most of the good first light duck flight.  Life is good. 



Edited by Left Brain 2014-05-16 1:57 PM


2014-05-16 1:59 PM
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Subject: RE: Strange question, but I need to know

Originally posted by DanielG Stupid strong coffee about 30 minutes to an hour before I go run usually does the trick.

This, but at least an hour. I also know the best way to make me have to poop is put on bibs or a tri suit. Never fails.



Edited by BrianRunsPhilly 2014-05-16 1:59 PM
2014-05-16 2:06 PM
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Subject: RE: Strange question, but I need to know
LeftBrain, that was straight up beautiful. That story made my week
2014-05-16 2:11 PM
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Subject: RE: Strange question, but I need to know

Originally posted by Left Brain

I guess this is the place to tell this, and much as it pains me to recall. 

In the days between my last two bouts with triathlon, I duck hunted from Canada to Mexico, and all states within the Mississippi flyway.  It was something I always wanted to do and I was nearing the end of a period of time when I trained retreivers and had a really good dog to take along on my journeys. 

LIke many have posted here, it's common for me to take care of my daily constitutional about 20 minutes after I've awoke for the day.  I put some coffee on, take care of business, and I'm on my way, no matter where I am or what's going on.

And so it was I found myself standing next to a 2000 acre marsh wondering why this particular morning had gone differently. I thought maybe I ate something the night before that didn't need to be expelled.  Maybe the motel coffee from the lilttle mom and pop dive we stayed in wasn't really coffee.  It didn't matter. I didn't have to go and my buddies were waiting for me to make up my mind on making the 1/2 mile wade-in to our hunting spot with them or standing on the bank waiting for nature to call.  I guessed I didn't have to go, so into the water we went.

This particular day we were hunting a waist deep marsh that is flooded artificially.  It had some row crops, a few short willows, and a few dead trees laying over, here and there, that had not been cleared when the re-development and wetalnds reclamation project had taken place.  I wore chest waders, and the water came to just above my crotch.  We waded out for about 30 minutes, careful with each step, like you have to be when you can't see your feet or what is under the water.  Once at the spot where we intended to hunt, we threw some decoys out, and leaned up against some small willow scrub bushes.  We had about 45 minutes until the sun would start to rise, so we opened our thermoses and enjoyed a cup of coffee.  It was shortly after when I felt the first rumblings.

I can say now, looking back, I wasted no time heading for dry land.  I have often thought that maybe I didn't heed the initial warning signs, that somehow the outcome of this story would have been different if I had gotten a quicker start.  I don't think so.

There is no good way to relieve yourself when water will come to the crack of your arse if you can even possibly get your waders down that far.  Nevermind the freezing water that will pour into your waders and end your day.  I brifefly considered climbing into one of the willow scrubs to gtet some clearance, but I was easily 220 lbs. then, with another 30 or so lbs. of clothing so there was no way the one inch limbs would hold me.  I would have to wade back to dry land. 

I guess I had made it about 150 yards when the first wave of doubt hit me.  I REALLY have to go and there is no way I can make it.  I had already been reduced to very small shuffling steps and had to stop every 20 yards or so to squeeze........and pray.  I was sweating, and beginning to resign myself to the fact that this would end poorly, when I remembered a large tree that I had seen in the water about 50 feet offr of the path we walked.  I thought I could make it there and at least have a chance to get out of the water.  I shuffled, stopped, squeezed, prayed, and sweated for another 10 minutes or so when I finally spied the tree.

I don't think I was more than 50 feet away from salvation when it ended.  I don't know enough about the digestive system to be able to write about the forces that come into play when you can finally no longer hold it, but I lived it.  Really, it was a relief when it was over.  I stood there and crapped my pants.  I even kind of sat back a bit and let the water prop me up some.  What else can you do?  If I would have had a cigar I'd have lit it and enjoyed the moment even more.  It felt good.

When I finished I headed for the tree.  I climbed up onto it at a point where there were some branches to hold on to, and began to shed my clothing.  I had decided I would strip down naked, use a t-shirt and the available water to clean myself up, and head back to the hunt.  It was a mess, but there I stood, naked in the middle of that marsh cleaning myself off.  My waders, pants, and other items I hung in the tree branches near me.  I was bent over rinsing out my t-shirt when I heard the voices.

I'm not going to try to describe the feelings that wash over you, so to speak, as you stand naked in a marsh in the middle of January and realize people are coming toward you.  But, it should suffice to say they aren't even close to what you feel when you see the first ray of a hand held spotlilght track toward you. I have nowhere to go.  I'm not done cleaning myself up.  I stand motionless to try to hear what the voices are saying but that ends when one fo them says, "that tree has got to be right around here".  Here comes the light again......great.  Now I can hear them clearly, and for the second time in the last 15 minutes I just resign my self to my fate.  I stand up and wait for the light.  It doesn't dissapoint me, and really, neither did the reactions of the hunters trying to find my tree.

GODDDDAM"!!!" 

The first guy yelled that. 

"HOLY CHIT!!!"...another one.

Thanks.

The funny thing was that they kept the light on me.  I guess shock does that. It causes you to freeze. 

"What are you doing?", a voice called.  "I chit in my pants", I answered.  "Do you need any help?", the other voice said.  I started laughing, "whatcha got in mind?"  Silence.

I said I'd be done in a minute but really didn't need the light.  They laughed and turned it off.  I todl them I wasn't hunting by the tree and they were welcome to it.  They declined the offer.  And then they just waded off. 

I put myself back together and went back to my buddies.  They wanted to know what the yelling was about.  I told the story and we were so broke up laughing that we missed most of the good first light duck flight.  Life is good. 

Bookmarked.

2014-05-16 2:15 PM
in reply to: DanielG

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Subject: RE: Strange question, but I need to know
Originally posted by DanielG

Stupid strong coffee about 30 minutes to an hour before I go run usually does the trick.



Yep. Exactly. FIRST thing I do is get the coffee ready.
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