Help! Race Day in a week!
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jtrimom posted 11 weeks ago.
you've probably had long training rides and brick days; do what works on those days...I have occassionally had stomach issues on race day, but that's when I tried something new (ie new kind of gel, gatorade-not watered down a bit etc...)and didn't do exactly what I did on training days. Even minor changes messed with my stomach. I am sure that part of it is nerves, but that's what I've noticed on bad race days-good luck on your race!
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cogirl3 posted 11 weeks ago.
jtrimom wrote:
you've probably had long training rides and brick days; do what works on those days...I have occassionally had stomach issues on race day, but that's when I tried something new (ie new kind of gel, gatorade-not watered down a bit etc...)and didn't do exactly what I did on training days. Even minor changes messed with my stomach. I am sure that part of it is nerves, but that's what I've noticed on bad race days-good luck on your race!
I should have mentioned that I NEVER have this problem on long training days. I can eat anything on long training days (which is usually gatorade, Cliff and Lara Bars). So what the heck is wrong with me??
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TriSooner posted 11 weeks ago.
Just kidding, but if these symptoms are that consistent (Eight times?! So sexy! Girls don't poo!), I'd try something OTC, like Immodium pre-race. Not a long-term fix, but if you are desperate on race day.
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triNick posted 11 weeks ago.
been there, done that... i know, it's tough...
i would agree with TriSooner, the quick solution is immodium.
what are you eating as solid food, that might be a key?
have you thought about looking into liquid nutrition, something like carbopro? it solved my problem 8-)
TRImapper.com - visual triathlon finder
TRIJUICE.com - triathlon resource blog
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cayman posted 11 weeks ago.
I t may be an electrolyte imbalance causing the diarrhea. If you are not getting the proper electrolyte replacement, particularly sodium, the fluids you are ingesting will not be absorbed causing dehydration and dehydration can cause diarrhea.
Are you taking salt caps during longer races. Are you feeling bloated along with the diarrhea? It may seem like you are hydrating properly, but without enough sodium the fluids taken in will not be absorbed properly into your system they'll just sit there in your stomach, not good. I wouldn't try anything new on race day, but it might be something to look into for future races.
Good luck out there!
john
Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.
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Tamara posted 11 weeks ago.
You mentioned you aren't eating fiber the day of the race. What about the few days prior? Unless you are *very efficient*, chances are the foods you ate in the previous 24-48hrs are still in your system. Normally I'm a high fiber, wheat bread, brown rice kind of girl. But in the days before a triathlon, it's all about white bread, potatoes and other quickly digested stuff.
Since you don't have the problems on training days, it sounds to me like stress might also play a role. Do you also have GI issues when things get bad at work or other bad times in life? If so, I'd follow the advice above and have some Immodium on hand.
good luck.
"It's very hard in the beginning to understand that the whole idea is not to beat the other runners. Eventually you learn that the competition is against the little voice inside you that wants you to quit." ~George Sheehan
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derek5 posted 11 weeks ago.
I have had some of the same issues in races. I usually have a very efficient system so I have to be careful. I just make sure to eat a lot of bananas, white bread, and no fruit juice the days leading up. Another thing you might consider is the stress that aero postion puts on your back. If your angle is not right it can actually cause GI problems. I made a minor adjustment in my position and it has helped me quite a bit and I have a pretty aggressive position on my bike.
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TryScott posted 11 weeks ago.
My GI issues are 100% race stress, and I'd love to get it under control. I'll even get it before a hard workout sometimes. The real surprise was the day I went to volunteer at a race. As soon as I heard the announcement that the race was starting in 5 minutes, my stomach got that sick feeling, and I had the d-word. Just being in the environment of race caused it! Totally unexpected.
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cogirl3 posted 11 weeks ago.
TryScott wrote:
My GI issues are 100% race stress, and I'd love to get it under control. I'll even get it before a hard workout sometimes. The real surprise was the day I went to volunteer at a race. As soon as I heard the announcement that the race was starting in 5 minutes, my stomach got that sick feeling, and I had the d-word. Just being in the environment of race caused it! Totally unexpected.
Wow! At least I'm not the only total freak :) Seriously though, I was reading the race information on the web site the other day and it was talking about people not wearing wetsuits and how they usually don't finish the swim if they do this... and guess what, immediate in the bathroom, just from reading about the race in my own home!
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jtrimom posted 11 weeks ago.
cogirl3 wrote:
TryScott wrote:My GI issues are 100% race stress, and I'd love to get it under control. I'll even get it before a hard workout sometimes. The real surprise was the day I went to volunteer at a race. As soon as I heard the announcement that the race was starting in 5 minutes, my stomach got that sick feeling, and I had the d-word. Just being in the environment of race caused it! Totally unexpected.
Wow! At least I'm not the only total freak :) Seriously though, I was reading the race information on the web site the other day and it was talking about people not wearing wetsuits and how they usually don't finish the swim if they do this... and guess what, immediate in the bathroom, just from reading about the race in my own home!
WOW! maybe try some deep breathing and positive self-talk; that usually calms me down in stressful situations; I also try to imagine myself in my training situation, on my run/bike trail, in my pool, just somewhere where I feel calm and confident
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jerallen posted 11 weeks ago.
You could race in a diaper! What is your fueling strategy for this next race? How many calories per hour, how much sodium...etc.? Have you tried switching between solids and liquids during your training to see what works?
On the D***a note, at IM Kentucky this year a gal ran buy me who had d***aed her pants, boy was it nasty, I'm not sure if it was part of her strategy to ward people off but it stunk. She kept looking for something to wipe it off with, was amusing to me so i kept a little distance and observed. So you arent the only one who this happens to and it shouldnt stop you from finishing the race!
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jtrimom posted 11 weeks ago.
jerallen wrote:
You could race in a diaper! What is your fueling strategy for this next race? How many calories per hour, how much sodium...etc.? Have you tried switching between solids and liquids during your training to see what works?On the D***a note, at IM Kentucky this year a gal ran buy me who had d***aed her pants, boy was it nasty, I'm not sure if it was part of her strategy to ward people off but it stunk. She kept looking for something to wipe it off with, was amusing to me so i kept a little distance and observed. So you arent the only one who this happens to and it shouldnt stop you from finishing the race!
holy Sh-t- that's funny and scary at the same time! I have a friend who was on a training run and had the runs. He was too far from home to get back in time so he went in the bushes and then wiped with his very favorite technical shirt. When he got back home, he regretted his decision and drove back to the scene of the crime, hosed off the shirt and kept it. I don't think there is ANYTHING in my closet that I love that much.
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chekmarks posted 11 weeks ago.
I have a friend who was on a training run and had the runs. He was too far from home to get back in time so he went in the bushes and then wiped with his very favorite technical shirt. When he got back home, he regretted his decision and drove back to the scene of the crime, hosed off the shirt and kept it. I don't think there is ANYTHING in my closet that I love that much.
you have a friend... i've heard that before.
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groovyjen posted 11 weeks ago.
Hmm. Well if it is purely psychological, would Immodium work? You could always try a two pronged strategy - Rice, cheese and bananas the day before and Immodium the day of.
Of course after all was said and done you might need dynamite to get things moving again - but at least you wouldn't have the race day runs.
I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...
Okay, so I know this gets asked alot! I also know that I am a dietitian and I should be the one with all the answers, but the fact is, i can NOT figure out my race day nutrition. Case in point: For those of you that read my 8 hour tri report you saw that I had some real stomach issues. (Sorry I'm gonna get graphic) but I had to have dia----a at least 8 times during the race, and no I am not exaggerating. The thing is, I tried eating no fiber for breakfast, eating some (with oatmeal), only drinking gatorade, eating solid food. Nothing seems to work on race day. I ALWAYS have the D word. I have a I/2 IM on Sept 14th and am worried about this being a problem throughout the race. Any suggestions? Should I take Imodium or something? Is it just nerves and I need to do some relaxation and deep breathing? Help! Thanks in advance.