Long distance running and your digestive system.

Back when I was doing longer distances it took my innards a while to adjust. I would bet that yours will adjust also.

How so?


I know for me, in terms of 'timing', my best big meal time is a few hours after a long run. Immediately after, I'm just too wiped to care about eating and not an appetite yet. And eating before a run or even trying to run in the morning after a big meal the night before is always a ticket to extra colon activity. Over the years, I have 'trained' myself to not only run witout the gels and snacks on the run, but I also run on pretty much an empty stomach and very little "in the works" so to speak.
So really, I think you need to keep tabs on not only what you eat, but when and how much you eat. :twocents:

As with almost anything, it just takes time to get used to.


But I've never had any problems...

I would like to second jrjo's thought on what you are eating, ie, fiber=not so good. I always do my long runs in the mornings but was very careful about what I chose to eat the day before. I don't know that my body got used to anything so much as I figured out what was a good idea for dinner the night before for me (rice or pasta) and what wasn't so hot (chinese and mexican :umno: ), or I got up early enough to get coffee in me to, uh, churn things along gee, this is turning south quickly :umno:

How so?

Well you see... Its not during the run that I have the problems, its after. My insides knot up real bad for hours, and input or output are :umno:

How so?

Well you see... Its not during the run that I have the problems, its after. My insides knot up real bad for hours, and input or output are :umno: Okay.. I don't think that's real unusual. When I'm pushing my long runs, it's like a trigger for the GI tract if I start chowing down right afterwards. Just sticking to a sportsdrink for a few hours is how I handle those days. And like I've said, watch the amount of food you eat prior to the run. If you're logging a morning run, keep the day before's big meal to breakfast and/or lunch. You might want to try keeping a food log for awhile and see if you can spot any trends. Like Cheryl says, if might be a case of fiber or spices or caffiene or alcohol or grease or who knows.. but there is definitely a "formula" for your individual digestion that will work with feeling good through and following big mileage.