Guts very unhappy with running

Hi folks, 

I posted this on the plastics board, but given that it's really exercise related, wanted to check with my friends here for input.  

I'm still in the process of researching abdominal work and fighting the insurance fight.  Over the past 6+ months I've really enjoyed running - I did C25K and as I've mentioned here before, I did the 10k distance for the first time last weekend.  

The problem I'm having with my runs is... well, the runs.  Not to be gross, but my guts do NOT appreciate being jostled about.  I run one street with my house planted in the middle and just go back and forth because I'm so scared of being far away from home.  I have to stop often.  It's causing some real problems for me.  

I was thinking today... would abdominal muscle tightening help prevent some of the organ jiggling that happens when running?  I feel like my whole abdomen jiggles about when I run (despite the shapewear I use) and it HURTS.  Both PS's I saw said they'd strongly recommend muscle tightening given the fact that I've carried a child and was morbidly obese for so long.  I do strength exercises, but it still feels very weak.  

If there's any actual benefit from plastics in terms of exercise and gut comfort, I'd love to know about it.  My lower "roll" doesn't hang so low that it flops all over the place, though I suppose it would if I didn't have the shapewear on.  

Any thoughts, particularly from those that have had abdominalplasty with muscle tightening? 

Or, without PS, any of you struggle with these gut issues and if so, how do you cope with them?  I'd love some input on this embarassing and infuriating problem.    I've tried for awhile now controlling it with diet adjustments, but it doesn't seem to make much of an impact. 

This whole issue has me revisiting what my running goals are and frankly, whether they're worth it.  

Thanks,
Michelle

i have not had plastics - so I jiggle.  I don't think plastics would help with the bathroom situation, though certainly the discomfort and pain of the jiggling would be a lot of help.

Google search "runner's trots" and you will learn that GI distress and needing to use the restroom NOW on longer runs (or any length run) can happen to anyone. 

I'm not sure if I've mastered this problem or not, but I've yet to soil myself, so I'm doing ok.  I did run most of a half marathon wishing that the lines at the port-o-pottys weren't so long, cuz I really wanted to use one, but refused to wait so long and lose that much time.  I stopped during a 10 mile race to use the restroom.  I wished I had stopped today on a 5+ mile training run.

I hope others chime in with any tricks.  Maybe Immodium?  reduce fiber consumption day of long runs?

OMG, I totally understand. It seems my guts always know when I have a training run or my hill walk because I always have to have big one that morning before I go out. And I'm in and out of the bathroom many times before I leave the house or I'm in trouble. Sat. I ignored it. I was late to meet up with my group for the team training, and there was no bathroom at the place either. I should have stopped at Starbucks on the way, but ignored it. Thought if worse came to worse (and this is gross, you might want to stop reading), I was wearing pads anyway for TOM, so if worse came to worse, it would only be a little and I'd be ok. Well, I didn't realize how much the running would do, nor what my guts were capable of. Lets just say that I didn't realize how bad it was (though I could smell it****il I got home, then it was a lot of cleaning up. I am NEVER doing that again. Will make sure to always stop and go before I train. And all I had that morning was a banana. It doesn't matter if I eat before I go or not, the gut knows what the gut knows. LOL So if you find out any help, let me know.

Jan

Thank you a million times over for your honesty.  If I learn of any magic solutions, I'll let you know.

This doesn't happen because your loose skin is flopping around. (Your actual tummy is up in your chest and not jiggling.) It happens because exercise causes the digestive system to slow down and over-eating/drinking before, during and after exercise causes it to be overwhelmed so it dumps everything into the intestines.

I get this problem as to many people who haven't had WLS. I just had to experiment with what nutrition and what amounts worked for me. Most people find they can't take in solid nutrition very close to running so that's something to try.

In my case, things like Clif Shot Bloks and gels actually seem to make it worse! I ate cookies and drank broth during my ironman and didn't have a lick of trouble so I'm going to try more solid food during training and see what happens. I do know the one race where I did Shot Bloks on the bike instead of my usual Energy Bites I had the worst case. I soiled my pants so badly that I never did get the smell out! The actual soiling happened on the run but the damage was done on the bike, I'm thinking. Another time I had issues, I made it to a port-a-potty on time and in that case I had a gel right before running and then drank a sports drink on the run.

In all cases, if I start to feel nausea or gassy, I stop consuming anything with calories and concentrate on water and the bare minimum of that and most of the time that's good enough to make it go away.

Ditto, a lot of those energy things make me feel sick.  But in fact, just sips of water do too.  They run right through me, which is really frustrating when you're trying to stay hydrated.

Thanks for your honesty with your experiences... ugh, it's just not a pretty conundrum, is it? :)  

No difference at all after the tummy tuck. If I'm feeling backed up, a 4 mile run will cure it every single time. It took me a while to learn what my system could tolerate but now that I have, it's pretty darn cool.

For some reason, running moves it all...guts, my nose runs for hours, throat feels drainy, etc.

I'm sorry you're having doubts about running, especially if you like it minus these issues

My advice Michelle, take up cycling! No gut jostling and it's so much fun! 

I have totally fallen in love with it...I've seen more new places than I ever knew existed and met more fantastic people than I had any idea.

Good Luck in all your exercise endeavors!