Welcome to my world!!!  Say hello to the "runner's trots" You should look up that term, there is a lot a good adivce about what to do.  It is a quite common experience for distance runners.  I have troubles all of the time.  I have found running routes that have port-o- potties around...or I run where I now there is somewhere I can stop in case of emergencies!!!  It does help me run faster, though (to the toilet)!!!  LOL

Good luck!

i feel for ya - i had this problem for awhile and only recently it has gotten better -

first - i learned that i MUST move my bowels before i run - so i must get up early and eat and have coffee to stimulate this - my runs vary between 9 and 21 miles

second - i learned that i must watch what i eat to stimulate my bowel movement - i have found that 3 tablespoons of peanut butter work the best - other things bothered my stomach

third - i learned that milk in the coffee was causing the 'second bullet' effect - meaning i was going before my run and during - so no more milk - no more problem

and last - i would watch how late and how much i ate the night before - especially before tlong runs and races

i also have a small carry pack  and in it always is a small roll of TP - for piece of mind only lately - i hope you find success as i know that this issue is very distressing for runners - for me it was 2nd only to injury as a concern

anyway - good luck

I can't speak for anyone else, but here's wha's helped me.

1) Don't eat before a run

2) Get up earlier than you think you have to

I know some people -- better runners than I -- who insist on eating and drinking before a race.  For me personally, I disagree.  I generally try to make sure I drink plenty of water the day before so my body's hydrated, but not eat or drink anything that morning so that my stomach is not upset. (I do drink a little at water stations during races)

My exception to that is if I've got a long drive to get to my race. (I run some races in baltimore 1.5 hours away) Then I eat before I leave.

Getting up early has really helped me a lot, too.  I try to make sure I'm up like an hour to an hour and a half before I run.  I wake up, go to the restroom, then read and relax for awhile before trying to use the restroom again.  Unfortunately, during the summer this means getting up at 5 or 5:30 in the summer when I try to beat the heat, but it's a better alternative to starting my run and then feeling like I had to use the bathroom again.

(FYI, my longest run to date is 10 miles -- so maybe "don't eat before" isn't an option for a marathon

Hopefully, I can offer you some help.  I understand the jittery stomach and I do run on an empty stomach also.  I've had running partners each while we run but I can't do that, it makes for a very uncomfortable run.  Recently, I found some products that have increased my running endurance and improved my run without upsetting my stomach even though I still don't eat before a run.   www.advocare.com/09083680.  If you go to the active line, the spark is the endurance product, the O2 gold increases the amount of oxygen that gets to your muscles while running(awesome!!!) and in the trim line, the catalyst preserves all muscles while you train, train, train.  They even offer a wide variety of products through the wellness line that would help with GI health.  I hope I have helped.

i just started with them about a month ago.  my husband and I have been in the health club business for the past 12 years and in the fitness industry for the past 18 years.  we have tried any and all supplements that we have sold and nothing compares to these products.  the medical advisory board, the endorsers and just the "real" people that are involved with advocare has blown us away.  I love the variety that they offer and the customer support.