Help with 'Runners Trots'...

nellocono

Hi Folks,
I am not looking for medical advice but just some knowledge to try to get my head around the above issue

Its not me but my girlfriend, where every time she goes for a run, suffers with an upset stomach. When she gets home she has been ending up on the toilet for about an hour with cramps etc. Sometimes she almost has to jump into a bush as it gets so bad.

A quick google on the issue is suggesting a thing called 'runners trots' and seems to say avoid dairy on the day of the run and proper hydration etc. Of course we will try these things but I have some doubts...

She was going to go to her doctor but knowing her doctor I know he will give her some silly advice and have her take tablets etc so I am thinking maybe at looking for a sports nutritionist or similar if we cant get to the bottom of the issue. I dont want it to ruin or stop her from running but it is really starting to affect her. She has tried to take a imodium before hand but was of no affect...

Just wondering, if anyone here has come across the issue and if so what was your experiences and solutions...

Thanks...

nellocono

Just searched through some threads and found a fair few similar stories, which is kinda relieving... Anyway, the main consensus is diet. Avoid caffeine based drinks (tea, coffee, fizzy drinks) and diary products and high fibre foods.

Maybe not eat minimum 2 hours before the run also. I dont think Imodium are working but may try the other tabs, Limotel (sp?).

huskerdu

nellocono wrote: »

Just searched through some threads and found a fair few similar stories, which is kinda relieving... Anyway, the main consensus is diet. Avoid caffeine based drinks (tea, coffee, fizzy drinks) and diary products and high fibre foods.

Maybe not eat minimum 2 hours before the run also. I dont think Imodium are working but may try the other tabs, Limotel (sp?).

No need for tablets when the first thing she needs to do is sort out her diet.

All good general advice above. Tell her to experiment with her diet. Stick to simple carbs and don't eat for 2 hours before a run and see if it improves.

There is no magic solution, so it is unlikely that a GP will be able to help, unless you are very lucky.

plodder

There may be different causes for different people. But, for me, it's definitely avoiding eating anything, three hours before a run. I would definitely try this first, and if it works, experiment with reducing the time to two hours or less. Medication doesn't sound like a great idea to me. But, I'm no expert ..

gerard65

plodder wrote: »

There may be different causes for different people. But, for me, it's definitely avoiding eating anything, three hours before a run. I would definitely try this first, and if it works, experiment with reducing the time to two hours or less. Medication doesn't sound like a great idea to me. But, I'm no expert ..

+1. Most runners have suffered from 'runners trots' at some stage. Running too soon after eating a big meal is a no-no for me, has to be at least 2 hrs after eating. Also found that any cola or caffine drinks (even a small amount) sets the bowels going, so thats also a no-no. Best thing is to have nothing, except water, for a couple of hours before training.

nellocono

Thanks guys...

Will try a few things and report any success...

G-Money

She should also keep an eye on what she eats perhaps the night or day before. I guess everyone is different but sometimes if I eat something dodgy, it might be 24 hours before it comes back to haunt me. So while her diet on the day of the run might be ok, it could very well be something she's ate the night before or day before that is causing trouble.

I also know a guy who tried a different energy gel when running and he had to stop 3 times and head to the toilet. I'm guessing your gf isn't taking energy gels, but if she's taking caffeine or lots of sugar in some form or another, it may be causing issues.

I'm guessing it's diet related, especially if it's only happening when running.