intestinal pain after running

[SerafinaC]

I have a really embarrassing problem when running. I've been upping my mileage a bit (I get about 30+/-5 miles/week), and have been feeling really bloated (moreover, gassy) towards the end of my longer runs (more than 5) and incredibly bloated/gassy and sore for the first 20 minutes following a run. The same thing happened last year once I started my 8-milers.

My diet is fairly consistent and usually consists of lots of fiber (which I've never had a problem with before) and a good balance of proteins/carbs/fats (about 30/50/20). Anyone else have this problem and/or a way to remedy it?

[3LittleBirds]

Yes, this used to happen to me although I haven't experienced it lately. I looked all over the internet and it seemed to be something a lot of women experience, but no doctors were able to give a good reason why it happens. Some people say to try and go to the bathroom before you run and that might help. I remember the only "remedy" was when you first start to feel it during your run, walk for about 5-10 minutes until the feeling goes away. Then once you start to run again, it doesn't come back. That method worked for me. But it was usually happening mid-way through my run and not at the end. I hope you're able to find something to help you, because I remember how miserable I used to be when it happened.

[s0ad]

Can't offer any advice but when I used to consistently jog, the more I increased the length of my jog, the more this happened, sometimes forcing me to stop. It was a pain! Good luck.

[MarkThePilot]

I have a couple thoughts... First off, are you increasing your distance a LOT with no chance to work up to it, or have you been running for a while now (at least a few months) and are gradually increasing the duration of your runs?
Secondly, 20 minutes or more can be a long time to run without hydrating--assuming you don't really have a way to drink water while you're running. Are you able to hydrate while you're running and are you drinking a ton of water before and after your runs?
The reason I suggest all that is your bloated feeling and abdominal pain sounds like heat cramps. My suggestion is either increasing your water intake (preferably during your run) and definitely trying to get some more electrolytes in your system. Something with salt in it will help. I'm sure you already know but sweating a lot (like in the case of sustained runs) depletes your body of a lot of salt, so it's easy to get heat cramp symptoms REAL QUICK. Hope some of that was helpful! Happy running to you! :rockon:

[Kotegaeshi]

My suggestion is either increasing your water intake (preferably during your run) and definitely trying to get some more electrolytes in your system.

Be careful about this. Make sure you stop to take a drink and don't drink while you're actually running and out of breath. If you drink without stopping you can often end up swallowing a lot of air which may be another cause of your cramps, air bubbles in your stomach.

If you're drinking sports drinks (Lucozade or Powerade are the common ones in the UK) DURING exercise it's best to dilute them a little (50-50) as otherwise they won't hydrate you.

[SerafinaC]

I've been running between 20-35 miles per week for about a year now. I am quite used to longer runs, and have been training a lot smarter then I did last year. I drink a good amount of (sometimes even too much) water throughout the day. Most days I get in about 2 liters before 3PM and about 1-2 for the rest of the day. I also eat a lot of salt... hmmm.