Stomach Running Advice Needed
During my last three runs, two of them have given me stomach issues (runs #1 and #2). During run #1 my stomach was hurting so much that I had to stop at a nearby park and find the port-a-potty. My stomach calmed down enough to complete the last 2.5 miles of the run (total distance was 7 miles). However, my stomach proceeded to ache upon attiring home and for about 2-3 hours afterward. I literally have never had any issues with my stomach before and am wondering what is going on now. I would love any thoughts!
Baby Running Advice Needed
Is six months too young for separation anxiety? During my last three runs, two of them have left Xander in tears with daddy (runs #1 and #3). Yesterday, John even had to call me to come home early. I made it 4.7 miles out of the scheduled 8. Xander was a screaming mess but calmed down immediately when I held him. Last weekend during the 7 mile run, John and Xander were able to work things out. I’m wondering what could be going on with this – I obviously need to (and want to!) get my training runs in. Am I running too close to his long nap time? Can separation anxiety start this early? Do I just let the boys figure things out?
Thanks in advance for any advice and thoughts on either issue!!
My husband has had issues with his stomach and running and one thing that he found that worked for him was to drink a large glass of water and then a small cup of black coffee and hour before running. It helped his digestive system and stomach so he doesn’t have any unwanted issues when he is running
Unfortunately I don’t like coffee — but I have heard about that before! Plus I remember reading studies after how a little bit of caffeine can enhance running performance!
Katie — I have the same tummy troubles when running anything over 5 miles. I handle by avoiding dairy for 24 hours before a long run and then popping an dose of immodium AD 30 minutes before the run. Works EVERY TIME.
Ughhh I’ve never been like this before though! I guess I need to stop thinking about how things used to be before baby though — guess my insides are different
Thanks for the suggestion LNRB!
I’m a nanny for a six month old (as of yesterday) and she is starting to get that way with me too!!! If I put her in her bouncy seat and leave the room for a minute she will holler and scream like crazy. She hates me to leave her. If she can’t see me, it’s all over! She’s also getting the stranger danger syndrome where she’s starting to cry and get really weird with ppl she doesn’t know. This age must be when that phase starts! Keep on trying, I guess and hopefully your beautiful boy will become more comfortable when youre gone! Spa love and good luck!!
Aww poor girl! I used to be a nanny as well and just totally forget when the separation anxiety starts! Thanks for the SPA <3!
Hi,
Stomach could be a few things, you need to remember that when running the blood goes away from the stomach so not much left to digest. Pay attention to make sure you are not eating too many fats before a run, either night before or that morning. Also, allow enough time to digest before a run. I can have a yogurt and protein powder 30 minutes before, if I have anything else – there are issues. As far as baby issues – let the guys work it out. Your son needs to learn that mommy will come back and mommy NEEDS time for herself
Thanks for the suggestions Lisa!
Great question about running with kids! I will post it on my FB page for The Kid Project during our fitness and motherhood event and see if anyone has ideas! kidproject.org. Most mine involved lots of snacks ….
PS: and seperation anxiety can start than young, depending on the kid. Honestly for most of mine I sort of went the “tough mommy” approach and all mine grew out of it. I dialogued with whomever was on baby watch and came up with soothing ideas for while I was gone. Sometimes they just had to cry it out…But I know that isn’t the best for everyone… Also, if you are nursing, maybe leave for the run right after they are done?
Yeah we time it so I’ve fed him and I leave a pumped bottle with the boys as well.
Thanks for putting it up on your page! Looking forward to thoughts!
As a dad, I think it’s just something that they’re going to have to figure out. It’s better to do it now vs. a year or two years from now.
I love that you chimed in on this. Thank you!!
I agree that we need to get it to work, but I think the timing can be improved as far as when the long run occurs v. his long nap. He has napped with me before, however I think he is very particular when it’s his long nap. Both meltdowns when mommy was gone happened when he needed his long nap for the day.
Aww thanks for chiming in bubs! I think this weekend we should try me leaving in the morning – hopefully this’ll help since he’s always happy then. Then we can transition, since he still needs to know mommy might go away sometimes! xox
I unfortunately have personal experience on both these issues…
Stomach: What are you eating before (not just in morning but the day before)? Also did you eat too close to running? I have to avoid certain things (dairy, sugars, gluten) or have huge GI issues.
Baby: Yes! My 2 1/2 year old went through her first separation phase around 6 months (pretty sure I have a blog post about it!). Timing is one thing, I was BFing so many times I would time it so I feed her then left and she was better. Luckily she got over it pretty quick, this was one of our “tough love” situations. My approach may cause some controversy but it worked. I needed to run or go somewhere so I just did it, let her scream and have issues with it but not giving in. I just shortened my planned time to be gone and slowly increased. If I remember it was 2-3 bad events in a row and then she was over it. We as moms need to have our time as well
It will get better.
Hmmm stomach issues — what are you eating leading into that run? I can’t stomach dairy before a run AT ALL. And ideally, I eat almost ‘empty’ as often as I can just bc the more food in my tummy the heavier I feel and the less likely it will be that my run turns out to be a good one. I’m in the minority on that one I think — most people need something in their tummy before they run. At most, I can have some pretzels with a bit of pb or half a banana, but even that’s pushing it. But as you can see, I stick with basic, plain foods before a run always and it seems to help. Good luck my friend!
Since I’ve never had these issues before I haven’t really been paying attention to what I’m eating before. I’ll definitely be taking a note though — including dairy, since everyone keeps mentioning that! Thanks for your input!
Hi girlie,
I’m not a parent but I am familiar with what you are describing, and to me it sounds normal. Typically, anxiety starts at around 6-7 months and can look different on all types of kids. Usually at that age, it’s more stranger anxiety and then later becomes separation anxiety. HOWEVER, I would not fret about this and instead, look at it as a positive. He is acting developmentally appropriate, maybe just showing it a little earlier. If I were you, I’d try not to change your routine to much and stick with whatever running schedule you have come up with. I think that eventually X-man will also adapt. I hope this helps!
HUGS!
I love having a psychologist as a friend. The end.
I still have stomach troubles when I run sometimes. I’ve learned that I need to be more hydrated and make sure I’m not low on electrolytes. It’s helped tremedously!!
And, with X, I would just let him and John figure it out. Doing that now will make it easier for when he’s older (fingers crossed!). Good luck!
I agree with Jess, I can’t run with much in my stomach at all. so when I run, I almost always run first thing in the morning, because no matter how long I wait after I eat, I usually almost always feel sick and icky! Maybe just try different times of day for that, which might also help the separation anxiety thing too? Good luck!!