Call of nature in open water

Former Member
Former Member
I've ahd this question for a long time and now I se it being address for runners at least, in the NYT www.nytimes.com/.../new-york-city-marathon-a-restroom-plan-can-relieve-some-worry.html I've been lucky that I've always been able to finish the 2.25 mile "race" I do without it being an issue. One year I was in the porta potty for the official start. Another year, I found a bathroom immediately after coming out of the water. I swam kinda fast that last quarter mile or so, too! I prep at bit before hand - I usually eat high fiber cereal and fruit for breakfast, but on the race day, low fiber cereal and maybe a banana for fruit. Still I'm a bit concerned on how to handle the inevitable. Do you just drop your drawers and not worry that there are people swimming after you in the race? Ewww! Would I explain to my kayaker what I was doing? Some kind of plastic cleanup bag? Nothing seems like good solution. I imagine that in a marathon, it's more likely than not I would need to deal with this.
Parents
  • Former Member
    Former Member over 12 years ago
    I assume you are asking about bowel movements and not urination. If so, then my initial reaction is that if you can’t go an hour between BM’s (a fair time for a 2.25 mile swim) then you have more serious issues then how to handle the inevitable. I haven't had a problem with 2.25 miles, over the 5 or 6 times I've done it. On the other hand, I've yet to break 90 minutes, and at age 59, I don't ever expect to break an hour. I'm thinking of increasing, and doing some 5 k's and maybe 10 k's. I imagine it will be an issue.
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  • Former Member
    Former Member over 12 years ago
    I assume you are asking about bowel movements and not urination. If so, then my initial reaction is that if you can’t go an hour between BM’s (a fair time for a 2.25 mile swim) then you have more serious issues then how to handle the inevitable. I haven't had a problem with 2.25 miles, over the 5 or 6 times I've done it. On the other hand, I've yet to break 90 minutes, and at age 59, I don't ever expect to break an hour. I'm thinking of increasing, and doing some 5 k's and maybe 10 k's. I imagine it will be an issue.
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