10 replies to this topic

[Maree10]

A runner mentioned in one of the forums that they take imodium before running a marathon. I have never taken it but I am hoping to run my first marathon later this year and am seeking advice.

[Rico]

Probably not quite the right subforum?

But fwiw I often take a couple before big runs.  So to speak.

[Bellthorpe]

Given that you should not do anything on race day that you haven't done in training (well, except run a marathon), this is the question for you. Do you need to void on long training runs?

If so, then experiment with Imodium. And the timing of pre-run food.

If not, then there should be no need to take it on race day.

[TheRuns]

The other thing to add is to consider if you're fast enough that a toilet break will be a problem. I am never going to be a top rated runner. Whilst having to stop to use a portaloo would cause a delay, it's not so bad that I'd ever consider taking an anti-diarrhoea medication to prevent it. That said, I've yet to run a full marathon, but those runs I have done have never led to the Gingerbread Man.

[Kato]

Maree

Another medication that has a binding effect on bowels is codeine.  I find it a bit gentler than immodium, in that things return to normal much quicker.

[Bellthorpe]

 Rico, on 14 March 2011 - 10:18 AM, said:

Probably not quite the right subforum?

It could be, if one is not quick enough getting to the loo.

[DistanceRunner]

While Codeine certainly does have a binding effect, I have found that it does have a significant adverse effect on my running performance. It's quite noticeable.

[buzzlightyear]

Getting stirred in the gut resulting in a bad stomach is often the result of a pace too quick for the runner. I think you need to look at the possibly underlying cause before you head into the preventative mode.

Are you having a tummy ache (or loose stools because)?

* Too quick and thus stressing body?
* Wrong breakfast? (i.e Milk?)
* Too late a brekkie??
* Didn't spare time prior to marathon to "sit it out"?
* Wrong Gels?


Taking imodium prior to tummy ache is like booking a visit to the chiro for a sprain ankle before you even taken the fall.

[Bellthorpe]

Hardly. Imodium actually works.

[rohan]

I've always gone for the get-it-out approach rather than the bind-it-up approach.

personally I'd like to run lighter than heavier.

perhaps you need to do a bunch more races leading in to your big event so you can get your bowel evacuation procedure down pat.(so to speak)

a bit of pre race excitement, a couple of cups of coffee and I'm good to go.  One sitdown at home.  One squat at the venue.  All done.

If you race a lot you learn and finetune your procedure until the point where you're really confident about the sequence of events.

[Bellthorpe]

I do and I have. That's why I use Imodium.