Hello! I woke up at 4:30am this morning because I was a little nervous about boot camp today. I’m slowly starting to take over the group and was in charge of a 15 minute dynamic warm up. I’m okay working with a group because I used to coach cheerleading, but I could yell at them so it was easier
Okay, not exactly but I was nervous! I made coffee to take with me but I don’t have a travel mug?!?! What a bust.
By the time I got home I had been awake too long to wait until after my run to eat. I made an egg scramble and toast (unpictured naner with PB).
And a big side of hot coffee to warm my cold heart bones.
I let the food settle for 30 minutes and went for a tempo run.
My goal was 1 mile warm up/cool down and 4 miles of tempo at a sub 8 minute pace. Well, that was a very very ambitious goal and I averaged 8:37 for the whole thing. I’ll take it, but I need to keep working.
- Mile 1: 8:56
- Mile 2: 8:29
- Mile 3: 8:40 (walk break here – the way out is uphill a bit)
- Mile 4: 8:10
- Mile 5: 8:19
-
Mile 6: 9:05

During my cool down mile I suddenly had to go to the bathroom. I can’t decide if it’s better to stop and walk (less upsetting to your stomach) OR run home faster (get to the restroom!).
Thoughts?
thanks for share!
Luckily, I’ve only experienced this phenomenon once. I had to alternate fast walking and shuffling for the last 1/3 of a mile! I thought about calling home to “reserve” the bathroom but figured that was silly. It was less silly when I got home to an occupied bathroom. I paced for 4 long minutes, next time I’ll call!
For me. If i have to go. I have to go. Like right now. So i dont think id worry about running faster or walking. All that would be on my mind is “Bathroooom”.
That is what we call a poo-mergency. I try to get to the nearest bathroom as quickly as possible!
I end up finding a spot that I can hide behind the baby jogger and poop. Ugh, thank god my son is only 7 months old and hopefully won’t remember it.
I’d definitely run home faster, but that’s because there are no “good” places to stop where I run.
8:37 is a great pace to hold for 4 miles. Can’t wait to get back to full on training. I never did speed workouts, but think I need to if I’m going to get faster. Bummer.
I typically have to walk, but run as fast and as much as I can. Ugh!! I’ve made sweat soaked pit stops at gas station and fast food places before in emergency situations. At least I’m so relieved I didn’t poop myself, I could care less about the weird looks!
I never really know what to do in that situation! Running faster makes in hurt more, but slowing down makes the bathroom that much further away. It’s such a toss up!
I have to do a tempo run tomorrow. Yeah! 😛
Oh, I’ve contemplated this one many times. I’m not sure I know the correct answer yet.
I have this problem all the time. I honestly wish I didn’t. Even on an empty stomach in the morning. So I have learned to make adjustments – run on a path that has restrooms or a loop that bypasses my house. However, sometimes i just have to find a bush (so i often carry tissue in my pocket too). Yes, gross, but unfortunately a reality.
Yeah, I was going to comment about running a tempo run so soon after eating. I’d be needing a bathroom a lot sooner. As far as the decision to make, it would depend, but I think I’d walk until I found the quickest bathroom. Running tends to speed up the process!
I can totally relate to the 4:30 time. I have to get up at 4:00 to teach a 5:00 bootcamp class. Got to love those early risers!
4:30 am is crazy, girl! I thought 6am was early!
8:40’s are good – especially 30 minutes after a big breakfast. Bravo!
Wow more power to you if you can run fast to your potty… Soon as my rumblies start, I can hardly take one more step for fear of explosion. Squeeze dem cheeks girl!
OH MAN! I hear about this all the time. I am not an avid runner just yet so I haven’t experienced that… maybe number 1 but I think that is a little less embarrassing. I think I would just try to walk slowly.
The cartoon was EPIC today! Love it.
I think a prerequisite for bootcamp class is some instructor yelling. Its more authentic that way.
I’ve had that same thought. I run as fast as I can, for as long as I can, until I “need to focus on other stuff” and slow down. CLENCH LIKE A MOFO!
probably because of the hot coffee! whenever i drink hot coffee… i gotta GO. when running I slow down if I gotta go 😉
Yep, it was totally the coffee.
No thoughts, but that Natalie Dee is my fave. My hubs and I actually yell it out when we are done in the bathroom to each other (yea, we live alone, and we’re not right). Thanks for the poo humor!
Stop & walk. I absolutely cannot run when the feeling hits, something about the jiggling makes it worse.
It depends on how bad it is but I’ve done both the run-and-clench or the gotta-go shuffle. No fun!
I do a shuffle and hope like hell I make it home in time!
I’d probably call my hubby to come get me…lol
So true. I’d do the same if he wasn’t already at work.
I would have to say stop and walk. To the nearest facility.
The Kidless Kronicles
Ha!! Boy have I had to deal with this on more than one occassion..running faster to get home works for me 🙂
I used to have that same problem except it was during runs. It sucked and nothing could help it but finding a gas station!
I ALWAYS keep running, but slower. This doesn’t seem to happen to me as much any more, but back when I started running I dreaded tempo runs because I felt the absolute worst after every one. Not a good feeling!
LMAO! See, its questions like that which keep me reading RER!
As for me, I find my body makes that decision for me… if there’s time walk… if not – run, RUN!
This has happened to me many times. I have learned that I have to leave at least an hour and a half between my meal and my run or i’ll be in big trouble. I usually have to stop and walk. I always make sure I know where the porta potties are for after races lol
Haha – when you gotta go you gotta go – I speed up and try to get home before it’s too late. Or find a wooded area. =)
I do a kind of runner’s shuffle haha.
Hah I always run home when that happens. Even if it feels worse at the time, I know I’ll get home sooner than if I walked!
Gah runners trots are the worst! Great splits, Monica 🙂
I usually run. FAST. when I have that problem!! Lol. You’re going to teach boot camp? That sounds fun. I felt like I was doing that when I got roped into teaching high school P.E. for a year!! I had my whistle and I used it LIBERALLY!
I need a whistle!
O-m-g! How can you do it without one?