Lasting stomach problems after running

Triathlon Forum
1

I’m not one to have major GI issues during runs, except for the occasional disagreeable gel. However, over the last month I started running doubles (generally at a tempo level of intensity) and twice in my 2nd run of the day, I had to stop to use the port-a-potty (something that I’ve never had to do in years of training).

More recently, after my 2nd run in a double, my stomach hurt so badly I was laid up for 12 hours and a week later I still haven’t recovered. It’s a nausea, bloating, gassy thing and I generally have no appetite.

Has anyone experienced anything like this? I have a marathon coming up, and the thought of taking gels makes me want to vomit. I’d appreciate any thoughts.
Thanks!
SS

2

Poop normal or tarry black?

3

what would ‘tarry black’ point toward?

4

GI bleeding. In this case, see your personal physician.

5

Seems like poop is relatively unchanged (and not tarry black), though I’m going much more often. Im wondering if cold weather running, probably taking in less fluids, combined with doubles and more guy and other food in there, has done some lasting damage. ???

6

Have you done any open water swimming in the last few months? Sounds like it could be GI parasite symptoms, based on my own recent experience. GI symptoms that come and go, sometimes last for a week at a time, get worse when you really tax your body, etc. I’d second the recommendation to go to the doctor. If that’s what it is they can diagnose it with a stool sample and get you on meds to clear it up.

7

Overtraining?
When I double up on running I always make sure my 2nd run is a light one.

8

Are you taking any pills or supplements? Do you consume a lot of spicy foods, high acidic foods, a lot of caffeine and are you in a stressful situation personally or with work?

9

I have that exact same experience due to a food intolerance. Within the past year, I’ve learned that almonds turn me into a painful, gaseous, bloated, whiney little girl that needs to run to the potty every 10-15 minutes until the system cleans itself out. The feeling starts about 30 minutes after eating almonds and continues for 2-12 hours depending on how much ingested. My tummy doesn’t fully recover for a day or 4. Same thing with the Wife regarding gluten (which sucks for us both).

So, maybe you should start carefully scrutinizing your diet and see if there are any trigger foods.

10

What time of day are you running and what/when are you eating?

11

Generally I’d run in the am (7ish) on an empty stomach, with 1-2 Gus. Regular lunch and snacks (largely vegetarian – lots of beans, nuts, fruit) so yes highly acidic and lots of spice and coffee.

Pm run about 5pm with another gu or 2 depending on length.

Just saw a doc and he is thinking acid damage so I have some pills to try. Might take a few days to see a difference? Other possibility is an infection as i do travel a lot to countries known for that stuff but he wants to wait and see before even testing, which is a bit irritating

12

shitty…

13

I’m not one to have major GI issues during runs, except for the occasional disagreeable gel. However, over the last month I started running doubles (generally at a tempo level of intensity) and twice in my 2nd run of the day, I had to stop to use the port-a-potty (something that I’ve never had to do in years of training). Has anyone experienced anything like this? I have a marathon coming up, and the thought of taking gels makes me want to vomit. I’d appreciate any thoughts.
Thanks!
SS

Definitely a doctor visit, IMO, just to make sure you’re not suffering from a lack of blood flow to the colon (can happen to marathoners, etc.).

I’ve had something similar to your desc. in the past, and one thing you mentioned here made me want to respond: "I have a marathon coming up … " So I assume from that you’re toward the end of training, and maybe taking in a lot more calories than in prior weeks.

Around the time of my fourth or so marathon, I started experiencing similar feelings, without the “distress” of needing to hit the bathroom. But a lot of discomfort, noise, you name it. Ultimately turned into a breathing deal, too. CT scan, full heart workup, colonoscopy, endoscopy, blah blah turned up nothing super-conclusive (slight GERD, but not major). But one test a different doc did sorta turned me around: he did a digestion test, and it turned out I had a slower-than-normal digestion, and at the end of training when I was pounding serious calories (I have trouble maintaining weight sometimes) we determined that perhaps the issue was a lack of full digestion, even though I would most certainly get the hungry feeling.

After much trial and error with this, I wholly changed the morning routine, which is when I run. I basically don’t eat anything now ahead of most runs. On a 12-plus I will do a half-bagel or something like that. But anything up to 8 I do nothing but water ahead of it. Will take a gu along just in case. I try to eat lunch right at noon as opposed to 1 or 2, and dinners around 7. So that’s a lot of time between big meals.

I can’t quite explain it, but this has made a massive difference for me - I think most of it is the no-food mornings. I thought I’d never feel normal again, but this seems to have done the trick (fingers crossed) for the past few years.

Hang in there - this can be frustrating. But again, see a doc to make sure it’s nothing serious.

14

Probably a good idea you went to the doc my wife had GI issues during summer college cross country training (different issues) bottom line she new something wasn’t right and finally after multiple MD visits was diagnosed with an ulcer. Keep pushing your docs for the correct answer.

15

I used to suffer from similar issues and did some research. One article from one of the big running magazines advised that running damages the lining of your intestines and probiotics can help. I started taking probiotics twice daily and my problems went away.