Call of nature in open water

RE: Call of nature in open water

Former Member — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 15:01:20 GMT

I've never had this problem but I stick to very low fiber foods for a few days before the swim. On the morning of a marathon swim I eat a HUGE bowl of oatmeal to provide a solid foundation for the liquid feedings. I did have a last minute call to poop before an over and back swim to Alcatraz. I opted to jump in the porta potty. They started the race when I was still running back to the water. Luckily it was only a short way.

RE: Call of nature in open water

mcnair — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 04:44:20 GMT

This thread is like something from an episode of "Swamp Loggers." :bump:

RE: Call of nature in open water

Former Member — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 12:43:05 GMT

I think you can go two and a quarter miles without going, maybe get up earlier and go for a walk or run a little ,might try rice the night before your event , Good luck

RE: Call of nature in open water

Former Member — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 08:53:21 GMT

Sooner or later, this subject would come up. Just as a point of info, India sewer workers actually swim in it: Probably the dirtiest job in the world! - YouTube Same goes for swiiming in the the Ganges River: Ganges River - Pollution - YouTube They must have a strong immune system!!! D2

RE: Call of nature in open water

Kevin in MD — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 07:57:26 GMT

I've struggled with this twice. In one instance, it was part of the reason I stopped. I just can't seem to go without standing on something; my insides were totally knotted. Second time I had to head for shallow water so I could stand. So sorry no answers, but it is something i think about for long swims.

RE: Call of nature in open water

aqueoushumor — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 02:11:23 GMT

Imodium A-D 30 minutes prior to the start!

RE: Call of nature in open water

Bobinator — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 10:04:53 GMT

Easy Peasy!! No one, not even your kayaker knows what you're doing in the murky water so just do whatever your conscious allows you to do. End of story.

RE: Call of nature in open water

rxleakem — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 09:53:05 GMT

When we pass out "joy juice" at work, we remind folks to take it easy on solid foods before their procedure. If you down a NY strip steak the night before the swim, well ... :notworking: Besides, the deer and antelope have already "played" in that body of water before you got there! :bolt:

RE: Call of nature in open water

Former Member — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 09:25:51 GMT

take care of business before the swim. if you don't know how to make that happen... consult your doctor, pharmacist, fire dept, god.... whomever.

RE: Call of nature in open water

Former Member — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 08:12:22 GMT

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.

RE: Call of nature in open water

Rob Copeland — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 04:28:50 GMT

I’ve done a dozen or so 25K or longer swims and I’ve only had “issues” in one race and that was because I tried to compensate for lack of training with an overabundance of calories. Bad decision! Thank goodness for murky water and a headwind. Maybe I’ve just been lucky, but for all the other races I’ve never had a problem and a lot of these have been 10+ hour swims. My best advice is if you have concerns about any aspect of a swim, then in your training simulate your racing conditions; do a 3 hour swim, feeding as you would in the race and if you have “issues” then in training find ways to mitigate them so you don’t have problems come race day.

RE: Call of nature in open water

Rob Copeland — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 03:55:26 GMT

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. As for marathon swims, unless you screw up your feedings you should be good for 10-12 hours if you go before the start. And unless you are in a professional marathon race, the swimmers are typically pretty well spread out after a couple of hours. If you do screw up your feedings (such as to many calories and not enough water) then your options are rather limited, you do what you got to do. I would not suggest trying to bag your leavings.

RE: Call of nature in open water

__steve__ — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 09:44:47 GMT

:blush:Avoid fiber so it sinks