John 8:32 "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." NIV

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Faster pace and GI issues (sorry)

This afternoon I set out to run 6 miles. In actuality I ran 7 miles in 1 hour 07 minutes which makes my average pace about 9: 35. About 3 months ago on a long run, I would run about 10:30 miles. It makes sense that a 3 month training period would reduce my pace by a minute, but I just did not think it was possible. Yesterday I can 4 miles with an average pace of 8:45. I am getting faster and I haven't even started marathon training yet.

In Maryland, we have had spring like temps this week. Cool breezes and lower temperatures make it easier to run. I LOVE it. I did not run with water - big mistake. Lesson learned. I even chose to run a hilly course to get the 7 miles in. And I almost decided to run 8 but at the last minute my GI started to act up. It started with gas (I'm sorry... TMI). I actually thought I had a little accident in my running skirt. I didn't but what is a girl to do when you are at least a mile from a bathroom.

My GI kept persisting, and cramps felt like it was going to bring me to my knees. I decided it was best to head home before I ended up like one of those marathoners pooping on herself like I have heard mentioned here. The weird thing is that when I got home - nothing. I thought it must have been just painful gas. I cooked dinner and ate like there was no tomorrow because I was starving. Drank 4 glasses of water because I was thirsty and then...

Yes, I had to make a mad dash to the bathroom. Poor Kiera, I think she thought I was going outside... and she wasn't thrilled to see (or smell) what I had done. Can't a girl get some privacy? I did several courtesy flushed, sprayed air freshener... did not work (and reminds me that my dad calls it "poopy flowers" when both smells linger). I thought I was done when another episode struck. It was awful.

After several more flushes, I felt absolutely fine. I have NO IDEA what made this happen. Hours later, I still feel fine. I know some of you REAL runners on here have written about these issues, but this is the first time I have experienced them. I thought back about what I ate over the last two days and it wasn't anything out of the ordinary.

So, I must ask:
Any ideas what could have caused these GI issues?

16 comments:

Amanda said...

I have no idea, but I'll tell you pepto has become a part of my pre race breakfast lol.

Pam @ herbieontherun.com said...

This happened to me once on a 5-mile run. I made it home but just barely!

Diz said...

Hmmm...interesting. I've never had this happen to me- and I usually run anywhere from 4-7 miles on the average. Do you think it was because of the run? Maybe it was because you downed 4 glasses of water so fast...? I have no idea, but I'm curious to hear what it could be!!!

Unknown said...

Its happening to me too. I have been eating peppermint or spearmint leaves before a run and it helps. You can also just get peppermint tablets but I have been to busy to go to the health food store to get any. Many people with GI and Chrons issues use it. It calms the GI and also helps with anxiety.
I have been eating the same old things but as I get faster my GI tract gets sketchier.
Good luck with it. Its definitely a pain in the......well you know :)

Erica said...

I am sorry :( this has not happened to me! But I love the picture of dumb and dumber!

Mark said...

So cool to see you getting faster!

gba_gf said...

Oh I'm sorry anytime I read that someone is struggling with GI issues. It's a source of stress in my running life. I plan any run more than 30 minutes around the "just incase" plan. In my case, usually once I "go", I'm fine, better than fine, I'm super & can finish my run w/o any problems. Check your food diary, I do OK managing my issues with food... certain foods are a non-starter: Red meat the night before a run is a definite FAIL.

And yea, really, the teams are all color named, and I'm on Snot (Green)... because NOTHING RUNS LIKE SNOT. Our coach is obviously a 7 year old boy trapped in a man's body, I haven't met him yet, but there's not other reasonable explanation for the choice in team name.

Julie said...

Hi Jen,
I am the queen of GI issues. I have struggled with them on and off for sometime. It sucks! I do have some peppermint oil that I rub on my tummy sometimes before I run....I sometimes forget to do this and it never fails. My radiologist says that my GI issues stem from the stress that I put on my organs when I run hard. There is not enough oxygen going to my GI and it lashes back by wanting to push toxins out. I really hope the more I run that my body will just become used to it. Keeping my fingers crossed....for the both of us:)

Nice job on your runs! Keep it up Jen, you are doing awesome!

TMB @ RACING WITH BABES said...

Yay for the speed! You are doing great and I am excited to see how your running continues to improve while training for your marathon!

Marlene said...

First - great job on the run and your quickening pace!

I get those issues sometimes after a particularly long and/or hard run. The body just goes bonkers!

misszippy said...

I feel your pain. I struggled with GI issues for years. It is probably related to something you ate, but you never know. I have learned what works/doesn't work for me over the years. If it happens again, pay attention to your food and try to track any patterns. Good luck with it.

ShirleyPerly said...

I've had this problem too and the cause was always something I ate or drank before or during running. But I've heard that faster running can cause some runners GI problems as well as dehydration. Hopefully it won't happen again but keeping a log of your runs (what you ate/drank before/during, pace, conditions, how far, etc) often helps a lot of folks figure out things like this.

Rene' said...

it happened to me a couple of weeks ago, but I blamed it on the GU that I used for my long run. i switched to hammer gel and seem to be okay. gi is what i am most worried about this weekend. i hope that it does not strike during my race.

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

Looks like you have gotten a variety of answers to your GI question. For me it is typically the result of two things; 1. eating the wrong food/fuel. 2. Nerves.

One time a food/fuel will be just fine and then the next time disaster. Probably a lot to do with many factors; hydration, temps, effort, distance...
Nerves. Even after the run I think our minds can cause loads of things. I often think the after run issues. The ones I was able to "run through" my mind kept in check long enough for me to get home.
I hope yours are few and far between.

Michelle said...

Wow, on your pace! I am slower now than when I first started running, so I am envious of you!

Most of my issues seem to be food related (if I overeat the night before, if I have alot of dairy, red meat is a definite no-no, green peppers are also on the no list). I agree with the food diary comments - that might help you to see a pattern.

Good luck!

Lindsay said...

i had some troubles of these on my run this morning. twice! the 2nd time i was, uh, unable to utilize a proper bathroom and had to just go behind a tree. (no shame, haha).

i have no idea what causes it though... dairy they say, and i did have ice cream last night so that could be my culprit. however i know for myself if i haven't had my "daily movement" running tends to get things moving. i usually plan/arrange for 1 pitstop but like this morning, sometimes i have surprises!

hope you figure out what's causing yours - or that it quits acting up! it's no fun to be so uncomfortable during a run :(

poopy flowers -- too funny!