For all you long distance runners out there - or anybody else with this problem when running, I'm just gonna lay it all out there . . . Gaseous build up in the intestines during long runs. It's killing me! I ran a trail marathon on Sunday, and by Mile 20 or so, the pressure in my lower intestines was very uncomfortable and made it difficult to take in fluids and nutrition. By the time I got back to my hotel room, my stomach was actually distended and more than mildly firm to the touch. I have the . . . well, okay, . . . diarrhea under control with Imodium. Now I just need to deal with the pressure. There wasn't any soda available at the aid stations or I would've sucked down some of that hoping to burp it away. Any suggestions???

Do you always have this happen on long runs, or just this one in particular? And what did you eat prior to your run, or even for the 12 hrs or so prior to your run? I had a very large apple about 2 hrs before my run last night and really had bad low intestinal cramping. And I was only doing 5 miles! I also find that when I do longer runs in my "pre-pms" time frame, I have more intestinal cramping as well.

Do you always have this happen on long runs, or just this one in particular? And what did you eat prior to your run, or even for the 12 hrs or so prior to your run?

It happens with all my long runs, especially anything over 3 hours, and it doesn't matter what I consume before. That morning I had a bagel w/peanut butter. For dinner I had chicken, taters, and veggies. Previous runs, the ole bagel and pasta for dinner. During the runs, I drink a mix of GU2O and maltodextrin and eat Clif bars. Unlike the rest of me , I have a sensitive intestinal system. I have to use Imodium for any runs over 2.5 hours, and I have to watch what I consume or I get nauseous real easy. It sucks.

Maybe stomach but I've never heard of intestinal gases being able to be burped away so maybe try to get something that works in the opposite direction and just join the chorus of happy intestines along the way with everyone else that result from all the mega-nutrating before and during ultramarathons. It actually gets to be kind of funny at the starts of some of the long ones.

"long ones". Do you mean long races? Or heinously long toots?

OMG best line I've read in awhile! For me, I'm only managing to a 1/2 distance, but I find that lack of simple carbs -- just protein and fat the night before a race, works wonders. Don't know if it'll work for your consititution, but thought I'd mention it. (I do make sure to have an ample amount of carbs 2 nights before).

I'm ready to give anything a try, 'cause a nice long toot would be a wonderful thing! Hey, I'm not shy! Bring on the expension of odiferous matter! It might actually make me run faster - you know, push me along the trail faster. . . . if I could somehow harness it and use it like rocket fuel . . . hmmmmm

I wonder if that's how Superman does his thing. My runs over 10 miles go past public restrooms. http://www.riversideonline.com/health_reference/Disease-Conditions/DS00080.cfm

I'm no help. As my DW will attest, I have no problem, er, reducing pressure... TC