Stimulating bowel movements before a long run

People most familiar with the workings of the colon, in descending order
Colostomates
Enterstomal nurses
Colo-rectal surgeons
Proctologists
General nurses
General practinioners
 
I'm still concerned about the need for laxatives and enemas. I've known many,many runners, and we have often spoken about dietary and excretory issues (believe it or not) but I've never heard one talk about the need for "stimulation".

Perhaps the OP should consult a doctor, if possible a sports medicine specialist?
 
jaydeehess said:
A simple saline enema works by loosening everything up as well as creating , obviously, more bulk in the lower colon. One function of the bowel is to reabsorb water from the contents of the bowel and this a saline enema is unlikely to cause dehydration. If anything it will work to slightly rehydrate you.
Warming it up is both more comfortable and will aid in stimulating the bowl.
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That's not how enemas work.

They create a slightly hypertonic milieu in the colon which can actually draw water out of the luminal lining which helps to "flush" you out. They can be problematic as they are slightly dehydrating.

The polyethylene glycol oral solutions (e.g., "GoLytely") are meant to do a similar thing without creating such an osmotic gradient. The problem is that they are terrible. Many gastroenterologists don't prescribe these anymore for prepping for colonoscopies because they are so awful for patients to take. They simple prescribe laxatives.

Light meals for the preceding two days, a gentle oral laxative the evening before, and plenty of hydration should do the trick. Of course, if you have a mechanical obstruction problem somewhere in your alimentary canal or otherwise can't tolerate this regimen, don't do it. And, I'd certainly give it a "dry run" before you enter a race... pun intended.

~Dr. Imago
 
I know someone who trained her dogs to defecate on command, prior to entering the show ring, to avoid 'incidents'. I'll drop her an email.
 
Dr. Imago said:
That's not how enemas work.

They create a slightly hypertonic milieu in the colon which can actually draw water out of the luminal lining which helps to "flush" you out. They can be problematic as they are slightly dehydrating.

The polyethylene glycol oral solutions (e.g., "GoLytely") are meant to do a similar thing without creating such an osmotic gradient. The problem is that they are terrible. Many gastroenterologists don't prescribe these anymore for prepping for colonoscopies because they are so awful for patients to take. They simple prescribe laxatives.

Light meals for the preceding two days, a gentle oral laxative the evening before, and plenty of hydration should do the trick. Of course, if you have a mechanical obstruction problem somewhere in your alimentary canal or otherwise can't tolerate this regimen, don't do it. And, I'd certainly give it a "dry run" before you enter a race... pun intended.

~Dr. Imago
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As I stated though, colostomates use plain water 'irrigation' to cleanse the lower colon. If your desire is to completely evacuate the bowel then a prep such as Golytely or a glycol enema would be called for.
In the case of those with kidney disease its the PEG solutions such as Golytely, halflytly, or nu-lytely that should be used since magnesium and phosphate laxitives are worse.

However the runner simply wants the same that a colostomate is going for (pun intended) , that is to simply avoid an inconvenient BM.
 
catsmate1 said:
I know someone who trained her dogs to defecate on command, prior to entering the show ring, to avoid 'incidents'. I'll drop her an email.
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If only for the humor, I'm glad I started this thread! :D

So far, I have improved dramatically. Took care of my business first thing this morning, then went for a long run after. Didn't have to use laxatives(prunes or magnesium). I did do a firm stomach massage though, and light exercise, and wonder if this helped get it moving.
 
I race a lot and I've never had this problem during a race. I wake up, drink a big glass of water, and walk briskly around the block. Get home, immediately "take care of business" and head off to the race. This works every time for me. No special need to change my schedule or meals or whatever. It's the combo of the water and the walking that stimulates it for me.
 
Doghouse Reilly said:
I race a lot and I've never had this problem during a race. I wake up, drink a big glass of water, and walk briskly around the block. Get home, immediately "take care of business" and head off to the race. This works every time for me. No special need to change my schedule or meals or whatever. It's the combo of the water and the walking that stimulates it for me.
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Same here. As I said earlier, Zelenius should consider going to see a doctor.
 
Thanks for the suggestions guys. Ran a marathon today that started early in the morning and it was spectacular. I did my business first thing in the morning, thanks to eating a lot of prunes early yesterday morning, a little help from magnesium citrate, and ab exercises. No problems, no issues, I had completely forgotten about my digestive system during the run. I managed to finish my first marathon in under 4 hours, which I wasn't expecting.
 
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My anecdotal experience is to never do anything different than your normal training routine. I have learned that for me it takes eating + 1 hour for things to take their natural course. An extra heavy meal the night before or that morning results in potential uncomfortable consequences. If you can, I'd recommend getting in the habit of eating before a morning training run and learning what works for you. Anything different will result in... differences. Add nerves and potentially disrupted sleep before a big event and things get even more... different.

Good luck.

CT
 
Zelenius said:
Thanks for the suggestions guys. Ran a marathon today that started early in the morning and it was spectacular. I did my business first thing in the morning, thanks to eating a lot of prunes early yesterday morning, a little help from magnesium citrate, and ab exercises. No problems, no issues, I had completely forgotten about my digestive system during the run. I managed to finish my first marathon in under 4 hours which I wasn't expecting.
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Nor was I! Wow, great job, Z. Perhaps it is I who should be looking for tips from you! Glad your guts got sorted out in a manner which works for your particular chemistry. Happy trails!
 
What are the rules of running a marathon if you absolutely have to stop and go, or else? Are you disqualified? Or do you simply start running again when you are done? Just out of curiousity, out of desperation after you get up in the morning do you ever try to gently sort of coax it out by some on again, off again pushing to get it sort of prime started? Also, super relaxing by closing your eyes and putting yourself in a state of zen, with say assistance by a fan gently blowing on you could possibly help. Also, trying to replicate more of a squat position, possibly leaning forward on the toilet could help get it going. Often i have had no urge to go, yet can get myself to go. Phobia of it setting up in rectum and colon like concrete. Friend had to go to emergency room cause he couldnt go. They gave him laxatives and a 1 gallon enema and he had to run to the can and go 10 #`s worth he claimed. :)
 
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