Peeing one’s running pants…

Yes, I’m going to talk about it.

Last night my training run was for speed.  After warm-up, Seanna made me run at a very fast pace for a 1/2K, followed by another 1/2K at a slow pace.  I had to repeat four times.

I got through the first three reps alright, but on the forth rep, while running very quickly (for me), I felt an almost irresistible urge to pee my pants.

It was a familiar urge.

Last fall I was running a 5K race in Sunnybrook Park.  I was running very well, on my way to what would be a personal record.

At just past the halfway point, I started to pee as I ran.  Right there.  In front of everyone.  In public.

I was stunned.  I tried to stop myself.  I couldn’t.

I peed the whole second half of the race.

From Shut Up and Run

Luck was on my side.  I was wearing black compression pants and it was raining.  No one knew about my traitorous bladder but I.

As soon as I got home, I googled that business to find out if I had suddenly become incontinent for life.

I found out that I was dealing with stress-induced incontinence.

I also found out that I’m normal and peeing one’s pants whilst running is equally normal.

That said, while it may be normal, it’s not ideal for my needs.  I don’t like peeing my pants in public and I don’t like what it does to my running shoes while I’m wearing them.

So, after doing my research, I came up with a strategy that hasn’t let me down since.

It’s really simple:

1. Pee as close to the start of a run or race as possible.  On that fateful day, I walked past the line-ups at the port-a-johns thinking, “Uh, I will not be lining up to pee in a kybo when I don’t even need to pee. Suckers!”  I have since never met a kybo with which I didn’t want to spend some time.

2. Do not over-exert oneself.  That’s the stress part of stress-induced incontinence.  As soon as I felt that urge to pee on my run last night, I slowed down immediately.  I knew I was running harder than I should and this was my body’s way of driving the point home.

3. If you don’t know that the first two tactics will work, wear black bottoms.  That one’s self-explanatory.

Last night’s run reminded me that, as I’m planning my race day, I need to remember to plan exactly when and where I will powder my nose.

And, if all else fails, I can always count on my black Under Armour shorts.