Running with IBS
Don’t let this happen to you! Waiting for a test after having to fast for 24 hrs.
Over the last couple of months I have been having severe stomach pains after tough races. I am fine throughout my whole race and about 30-45 minutes after I have finished and cooled down, I become debilitated, sometimes for a couple of days. At first I tried chalking it up to a tough race and something I must have eaten. But then it happened again. And again. I can run 10 easy miles and be fine, I can run 3 hard miles and be fine. What kills me is the races. I race longer distance races 10K to Halfs and have died after every single one.
Finally, I decided to go see the doctor.
I told her I have no interest in stopping racing nor do I have any interest in taking it easy. Where do we go from there?
Luckily, she said she sees this in alot of runners and if anything I am flying on the mild side of it all, since I have no problems in my day to day life. She told me I had a very mild case of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. She explained that running can cause severe stress on a body and although it does not cause IBS, it can unmask otherwise unnoticed symptoms of IBS.
IBS is a disorder that leads to abdominal pain and cramping, changes in bowel movements, and other symptoms. Luckily, IBS does not cause permanent damage to the intestants and does not lead to other diseases like cancer. However, for some it can be very debilitating, but for most, like me, it tends to be mild and there are many ways to treat symptoms.
My doctor was able to give me a couple of tips before a hard run/race to help minimize the abdominal pain and cramping.
Tips
DO: Eat high carb foods: Rice, pasta, oatmeal, and white bread that are easy on the intestants
DON’T: Have caffeine (coffee, tea, or soda), dairy products, and high fiber foods, which can inhance stomach pains
DO: Stay well hydrated
DON’T: Eat closer than two hours before a run or eat large meals the day prior
Hopefully, these tips will help alleviate some of the problems I have been having and will keep me in good shape after the Falmouth Road Race, which is my next big race. As a mom it is hard enough to get time to run everyday and be able to particpate in races but to be layed up afterwards is completely unacceptable to me!
Have you guys experienced similar problems? Do you have any tips or remedies that have worked for you?
I knew you were no good for me…
Dear Adidas Sneakers,
I knew I didn’t like you from the moment I laid my eyes on you.
This is how you make me feel.
I have only run ten miles in you and you have made my knee and my Achilles tendon ache. Therefore, I have returned you, you nasty little sneakers and replaced you with these..
They may not be lovely but I feel better already!
Good luck with all future endeavors. Don’t call me, I won’t call you.
Love,
Katie
