Whilst not being particularly highly trained I do do a lot of running (I'm a member of the Hash House Harriers. If you don't know who they are look them up on Google!!)

99% of the time the mere prospect of going for a long run is enough to produce a crap - hence I'm OK on the run. If that doesn't work I find that whilst running there is a (partial?) shut down of the digestive system when exercising which helps get me through. I suspect its the IBS that is causing all your (and your fellow runners) distress!!

My advice - don't take up triathlons.......

Just an update:
I am running the Boston Marathon on Monday and have decided to try out immodium. I know I am taking some risks, especially since I won't be running again for a week or two afterward, but i have also stocked up on metamucil, so I think it should be ok. I will give an update after the fact.

And, about the Harriers - yeah, I've always been curious about going on a Harriers run, but haven't ever done it.

Our friend George ran the Marathon in Greece about ten years ago. He made the mistake of drinking orange juice while running, something that he had never done, and had to poop right there and then.
Well, he went into the bushes by the road, then he rejoined the race and finished in the top 10 percent anyways.
Well, that's his lesson to not do anything new during a marathon.

I would say that if you are running enough to drop shit out your ass you are probably running too much. The human body was never meant to run for long distances. Even the cheetah only runs at 70 mph for short bursts.

And now... Deep Thoughts. By Jack Handey.

"Ever wondered why a horse can take a dump while running, but it has to stand in one place to pee?"

Just a note to "shit volcano" -- I have run marathons, but even going for a short run (ie: 20 minutes), I have issues. My stomach hurts and I have to rush home to the toilet. So - just saying its more than an issue of running too long!!!

I ALWAYS have to go in the middle of a run. It's to the point I bought a treadmill so I'd be close to the bathroom. :( I don't know what to do! I ALWAYS go before I run, but then it's urgent in the middle of the run and I have to walk home so I don't crap my pants! What can I do?? Help me!!!

I too had considered buying a treadmill but realize marathons aren't held there. I recently found DIGESTIVE ADVANTAGE for IBS, a probiotic supplement, and an IBS website that says SOLUABLE FIBER is best. After 2weeks I have had only 1 problem "run" that I had to walk.

I have the same issue as many of you, and it's about to drive me crazy!! It doesn't matter WHEN I run, I have MAJOR bathroom problems. I'm getting ready to participate in an IBS study throgh my GI doctor's office. The study is testing the use of an antibiotic for IBS. The drug is already used to help prevent "Montezuma's Revenge". Hopefully it will help the IBS!! (and hopefully I won't get the placibo...)

One of my uncles, born around 1906, used to tell the story of impromptu drag races (say 1920 or so) between horses and cars. The family (five brothers, including my father) had a horse that loved to run, so they would hitch him to a wagon, and a couple of the boys would incite the horse to race against a car going down one of the country roads. The horse would run flat out and poop voluminously while running--but he would always beat the car. The boys, riding right behind the horse, would arrive home, victorious but splattered with fresh horse dung, and my grandmother would look disgusted and say, "Racing again, eh? Better clean up."

"3. Perhaps try a gentle enema such as Fleets about two hours prior to the run."

Fleet's? 'Gentle??' Are you kidding me???

Yeah, I suppose you COULD take the stuff prior to the event, but it won't be a marathon you'll be running - it'll be a relay - from your sofa to the bathroom - for hours on end. There is absolutely nothing 'gentle' about Fleet's!

_______
"...[the turd] smelled like a road-kill possum raised on a diet of carp, wrapped in dog shit, inside a burning tire with a bag of hair in the sewers of Calcutta." - C Everett Poop