When Your "Run" Becomes Your "Runs"

Runner's trots, runner's diarrhea...whatever you call it, it's a recipe for a ruined workout. It is estimated that 20-50% of runners suffer from this problem. I am one of them. My problem occurs when I run after 5pm. Not in the morning, not in the early afternoon, not when I run at 4:30. Thankfully, it has never happened during a race which typically are in the morning (oh, I hope I haven't jinxed myself!!) It happens when I run with my running club. You know, when you're running with someone it's difficult to be discrete. You are forced to tell your running partner what the problem is and your running partner is forced to listen to you talk about your cranky colon. When the "discomfort" sets in, it's all you can think about, it can lead to panic and can lead to desperate measures. Desperate measures for me, by the way, is ...errrr....solving the problem outside a conventional bathroom. Ahhh, in the the woods, if you're lucky enough to be running in a desolate enough area. Seems to be an easy thing for men. But, man, for me, it is extremely difficult and has only happened on a few occasions when there was no other alternative.

So, what causes runner's trots? Well, most sources cite two common theories. One is the diversion of blood from the GI tract to the legs which results in a lack of oxygen to the tissues. This, in turn, interferes with normal function and causes irritation to the bowel wall - cramping. The second theory is the simple "jiggling" motion of running stimulating peristalsis (muscle movement of the digestive tract) and subsequent cramping. Some runners begin to feel peristaltic contractions (cramps) shortly after they begin running which supports the "jiggling" theory. I start to feel discomfort about 3-5 km into my run which supports the blood diverstion theory. Who knows? What I do know for sure is that it is extremely distressing regardless of the cause.

So, what do you do about it? I was hoping to recommend a source that provided really good information about this issue but, despite how common the problem is, many running sites and mags give short shrift to the problem and advise most to ensure your route has public washrooms :o(...From my reading and my own experience I found that avoiding dehydration is crucial, don't eat within 2 hours of your run, don't chew gum EVER, I once thought a banana an hour or 2 prior would be helpful - wouldn't swear by it though. If you find one time of the day is better for you run then. Unfortunately, my schedule does not allow that during the week. Some runners are aggravated by caffeine - I have coffee in the morning and that pretty much takes care of everything! No applicable in the evening. Journal what you eat and see if there are any irritants, dairy, fibre, etc. The type of food does not seem to matter for me.

The most ridiculous piece of advice that I have heard is "go before you go out on your run". Oh, I haven't thought of that!! Geez...Oh, and then there are the folks who, when they're racing, decide that stopping is just not an option and, well, just go....YouTube has left the memory of many of these poor schleps to posterity. Just search "poopy runner" and you'll see what I mean.

It's amazing to me that a problem that is so prevalent does not seem to have a solution. We have genius engineering for shoes and clothing why not for a problem that seems to affect the majority of us? Asics? Nike? Fuel Belt? Where are you? I have never taken a medication for this but I have tried everything else. Am going to take Immodium next week (about an hour before my run) just to see, just to see IF IT WORKS!

Done.

The Middle Aged Runner

Outside the Comfort Zone

Tonight was the first night of interval training for me. I have been running all winter at the same pace - quite comfortably - never pushing the envelope, never wanting to get uncomfortable, never upping the pace. Tonight at the track was a different story. Coach Daryl was very kind in his routines tonight, knowing we were all gradually waking from our winter hibernations. So, I ran my 400s and 800s. And I honestly tried to run faster than I usually do. Around and around the track. High School rugby team practicing in the field - I didn't even notice them - so intense was my pace checking. Of course, didn't have my glasses on so i couldn't see anything on my garmin anyway but judging from the heaviness in my legs and my rather rapid respiratory rate I would guess that I was running faster than my usual pace. That's a good thing right? Don't intervals increase your VO2 max or your anerobic threshold or something? Improves performance, right? Isn't that the bottom line? But, should middle aged runners really care about performance?

This is something I have grappled with for a long time. Can I actually achieve PRs at my age? Or has that ship sailed? Should I just continue to run because I enjoy it and it keeps me fit? Or am I able to improve my times if I work hard enough? I am just not convinced that is my reality. I remember being in a spin class one day thinking that the workout was great - I was working hard, really hard. Then I got a glimpse of myself in the mirror and it looked as though I was moving in slow motion. I started to question why I was doing this - why was I working so hard for so little return? Then I wondered if I was in fact working hard. I honestly don't know if I was then or I am willing to now. Am I really willing to cross over the comfort threshold? This is the season's challenge.

Back to the track. Here's a little honesty - I gotta tell ya - I hate interval training - I hate the track - I hate the discomfort I feel - I hate that I hate this workout. And as the Spring turns into summer and the days get warmer and I am ready to spontaneously combust right there on the track - probably in front of children - the point is I will be there on the track. Truth is - this workout doesn't help me to get any faster but it does help me survive the races. I know I'll go back week after week because of that. I'll also go back for the comraderie and support of other runners, for the incredible generosity of our coach Daryl Steeves who so willingly shares his knowledge and limited time, and for the opportunity to push this old lady butt around the track at a faster pace than usual. And, I will hate it!

See you next week everyone.