Gross

Horking luggies, blowing snot, burping, farting - disgusting! Although it sounds like a group of inebriated frat boys, you are probably in the middle of a gaggle of runners. Go for a run with a group and the conversation will eventually turn to what is referred to as potty talk. Habits, rituals, what foods cause problems, what to do when you race, etc. Even the fastest among us are not exempt. At the 2005 London Marathon, world record holder Paula Radcliff had to pull off the course at mile 23 to relieve a rather urgent gastrointestinal calling. After her brief stop, she continued on to win.
During training it is wise to plan your routes around fast food restaurants or other places you know will provide an oasis if required. If you are on the trails, Kleenex or toilet-paper comes in handy but remember it either must be buried or brought out with you. Also be mindful of the ?leaves of three? that may be off the beaten path.
Racing can be another issue. While there are usually numerous port-a-johns available at the start line and designated spots along the route, it is a common place site to see runners toe the line, run with the gun and head for the bushes as soon as their chip beeps over the starting mat. Some don?t even bother heading for the bushes, as that can take up precious time. Runners and triathletes have also been known to urinate as they bike or run without stopping. Personally, knowing I am out of the winners circle, I chose to use the washrooms provided.
So what does cause such urgencies? This is where the trial and error of training comes into play. Some runners find that certain foods can cause anything from gas to upset stomach to diarrhea and full bladders. Some of the common culprits are bananas, caffeine, Gatorade or other sugar replacement drinks and energy gels which can be bothersome whether they have been ingested before activity or during. Every training run should become a proving ground for what you plan to ingest before, during or after your planned goal race. When you find the right combination of pre and during run foods, write it down and don?t vary, race what you have trained. This could be the difference between setting a PR at the finish line and setting one in the port-a-john line.

The socks are back! Thinking about running the County Half Marathon, Marathon or Marathon Relay? Register by August 15th to save $10.00 and register by September 1st to receive your exclusive SOS County Marathon embroidered socks as part of your race kit.
Register for the Sandbanks Fun Run 5k/10k by August 15th to get a t-shirt with your race kit and for the Fall Classic 10k, Half Marathon by September 5th to receive your souvenir t-shirt . While there is no time limit to register for the Fat Ass, there are a limited number of souvenir jackets so register early for the November 15th race.