Done with Dairy
Besides the running portion of training for the half marathon, there is also a bit of “diet” training. I need to figure out which foods my body prefers to fuel a run, and eat right before a run.
I already know my body prefers a “first thing in the morning” run, preferably on an empty stomach or after a very light meal. But my schedule doesn’t allow that. I have to run in the evenings on week nights . So, I get home, eat dinner, and run 30-60 minutes later.
At first, I was just getting a stomach cramp every night after my post-run shower. But starting last week, I’ve had a different problem.
(This is the part where you stop reading if you don’t want to know about my bowel movements.)
Three times in the last week, I’ve had to stop during a run and sprint (ha ha) to the bathroom… to poo. You know that uncomfortable feeling, like “I have to go right now“? That is the feeling I had – an awful, sudden cramp that had to be answered immediately.
I attributed the first two times to the fact that I had eaten some of my favorite Valentine’s Day treat the day before. I liked the treat – my body didn’t. I threw them away. One of those runs was a week night one, and one was a weekend, so I didn’t think it was from eating too close to running.
The third time though – last night – didn’t make ANY sense. I’ve been eating healthy for quite a few days before the run, but it still happened.
I did some internet research (you can imagine how fun THAT was), and this is the best article I came up with. It advises to:
- Cut dairy out of your diet
- Reduce your fiber intake
- Don’t eat anything with sweeteners ending in “ol” (sorbitol, mannitol, etc.)
- Avoid cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower
- Empty your system before a run
- Eat big meals at least 3 hours before a run
I suspected the first item. Dairy and I have been enemies for quite some time now. And I’ve been having a cheese stick once a day. Goodbye dairy, except for that occasional Chile Relleno that is no where near a running day.
I should be able to follow all of these items, except the fourth and sixth. I gotta eat my steamed broccoli. I love it. And 3 hours? Ha!
I am going to try these things and see how it goes. Apparently, all that bouncing and giggling of your intestines speeds up your need to use the bathroom no matter what, so I may not have any luck.
I’m not afraid to “go” outside if I have to – I’ll do what I gotta do!
Themocracy
Yikes! NOT a fun problem to have!!!
Earlier this week in an aerobics class, I had that feeling every time we went into jumping jacks. I tried to ignore it for a while but then decided to run to the bathroom to try and take care of it so I could focus on the rest of my workout. (I HATE stopping when your heart rate is up and your all hot and sweaty.) But once I got to the bathroom – nothin’! I was so annoyed!! So I ran back to the class and got moving again and luckily didn’t have the problem again. Bizarro!
But good luck to you!
Sarah – That would make me even more angry – the phantom poo! 😛 At least it went away. I also hate stopping when I am all sweating and loving my run. I feel better when I get back on, but upset about the whole thing.
After reading that list of what you CAN’T eat, I’m left wondering what you CAN eat? Seems pretty all-inclusive there!
I hope that some of those solutions will work for you. I hate stopping in a middle of a work out, too.
i feel you on the broccoli!!! i love it!!!! i hope that this helps!!!!
=^..^=
accck!!! i cannot give up dairy!! luckily i haven’t had this poo-issue (hee)… especially because i’ve been eating a yogurt before my morning runs 😮
Yikes! Have you ever read “Skinny Bitch”? My friend let me borrow it and it was quite eye opening. One of the things it mentioned was eliminating dairy though, and I could NEVER do it… I’m sure it would improve my health, though 😉
ya know, up until now it was the fact that you lived WAAAAY out in the burbs that was the only reason I was thankful that we were not neighbors (I’m a city girl) but now the thought of my prized rose bush being defiled by a runner . . . .
lol
okay, I’m only joking in good fun. those dietary restrictions sound a bit intense, dairy (remember I tried to give this one up and it lasted a day), broccoli, broccoli with cheese on it, and butter and the three hours??? I truly admire your dedication to even give these some thoughts. I have a friend who runs marathons (yes, I think that he’s crazy too) I should ask Daniel if he has any suggestions. keep it up though, you’re making us lazy people look bad and that makes me stop being so dang lazy 😉
No dairy?? No brocolli??
So you can’t have ice cream?? WHAT?? Are you sure this is a good idea?? 🙂
SoMi’s Nilsa – I think the only thing that will really limit me is the low fiber thing. I am trying to get away from dairy and fake sugars anyway.
Gina (Mannyed) – I am thinking the dairy thing is really going to help. If not, I am not sure WHAT to do!
CourtneyInControl – I love broccoli! I eat it almost every night and at lunch! Just plain, steamed…. yum!
Alice – A yogurt before the run! Wow! I need your intestines! Okay, I think that is the weirdest thing I have ever written 😉
Bethany – I have that book! I found it a bit… intimidating and… over the top! I would love to give up dairy completely though.
de – I don’t think dairy will be a big deal for me. I had just introduced it back into my diet with my cheese stick. We don’t keep milk in our house and rarely have cheese. The only thing I need to figure out now is what processed foods have it in it. Although that may not be a big deal 😉
kaylen – Ha! I love ice cream, but rarely have it. I have had an unopened container of it in my fridge since mid-November!