hi all, I am set to do a marathon in May…can’t wait! however there is a lingering fear of leakage ruining my run. I do have the right pads (TENA Lady) for it, but I don’t want leakage to distract me or cause discomfort. I do this every year, however in the past year I have developed bad stress incontinence. I would rather a dry run obviously!! does anyone have any advice on staying dry whilst running..? like any tips for beforehand? experienced runners’ advice would be best if poss!
Hi,
I would recommend emptying your bladder well beforehand. A full bladder leaks more than an empty one, so you’re making your chances of leakage much less likely.
Before your run, be careful with caffeine and any other bladder irritants such as sugar.
It is also vital to manage your intake of liquid carefully. Don’t be tempted to stop drinking water completely, as this can cause dehydration which further irritates the bladder. Drink water close to the time you start running so your bladder is not full. Sipping instead of gulping helps the body absorb fluids well.
Maintaining a healthy weight is also a long term health benefit for reducing leaks during running.
Do you self conscious in the running clothes you wear? There are changes you can make to your attire if you feel the pads are exposed.
