I remembered reading about other Paula Radcliffe-esque moments a while ago and thought that in fact, it takes a very brave person indeed to stop mid-way through a run, have a little poo or pee, and keep on going. I thought I'd compile a very short list to highlight the hilarious bravery of runners in history who have managed this feat that would be seen me completely cut off from my friend.
These stories are ranked in no particular order.
1. Paula Radcliffe - London Marathon 2005
| Let it go... |
Perhaps the most famous of these examples, and the inspiration for this particular post.
Currently the World Record holder for the fastest women running a Marathon with 2:15:25 (almost faster than my best Half Marathon time) victory set in 2002 in Chicago, Paula Radcliffe caused waves in 2004 when she dropped out of the Marathon at the Athens Olympic Games due to "stomach problems." She had been heavily tipped to win gold.
She responded the following year by vowing to wow at the 2005 London Marathon, and she certainly made the headlines - for all the wrong reasons. 21 miles in to the marathon, Paula stopped and went to the side. Everyone watching through their TVs at home were worried that she had succumbed to the same stomach pains that had ailed her the previous year and was about to drop out. Fortunately, she was just stopping for a quick pee and continued on shortly afterwards. She later blamed the incident on eating too much salmon and gluten-free pasta in her pre-run meal.
Incredibly, she ran on to secure first place (beating second place by five entire minutes) and, despite her pee break, beat the world record for the third best marathon time for women.
2. Grete Waitz - NYC & London Marathons (dates unknown)
Grete Waitz, from Norway, ran her first marathon in 1978, the New York City marathon. She won with a time of 2:32:30 (then a world record) and accumulated a total 9 NYC marathon wins, as well as a host of other accolades.
She famously battled incontinence during the London marathon as well as the New York City marathon and wrote in her book "Run Your First Marathon" the following graphic non-apologetic description of her troubles;
"One of my most dramatic race stories is also my most awkward. I was in the lead of the
London Marathon when I got an attack of diarrhea... in my mind there was no question: I had
to keep running, despite the shock of onlookers and worse, the television cameras broadcasting
the event to millions of people. It was not a pleasant experience, but winning was.”
London Marathon when I got an attack of diarrhea... in my mind there was no question: I had
to keep running, despite the shock of onlookers and worse, the television cameras broadcasting
the event to millions of people. It was not a pleasant experience, but winning was.”
Not surprisingly, she won that marathon, and many others, and is said to have inspired Paula Radcliffe - in terms of running, not pooing!
3. Michael Ekvall - Goteburg Half Marathon 2008
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| The struggle is real... |
This image has not only caused amusement to many but it has also spawned a number of memes and demotivational posters. This is the iconic image of young Swedish runner (he was 19 at the time) Michael Ekvall, pushing himself to finish as quick as he could in the Goteburg Half Marathon. Sources aren't clear on what exactly happened - though it's quite clear from the many pictures that are available - but what we do know is that Michael didn't want to stop as it would affect his time. In a post-run interview he was asked if he had considered stopping to have his poo. His response was unashamedly honest;
"No, I'd lose time. If you quit once, it's easy to do it again
and again and again. It becomes a habit."
and again and again. It becomes a habit."
He came 21st in that half marathon, with a time of 1:09:43 (not far off my 10km times) and went on to set a Swedish national record at the Copenhagen 2014 half-marathon.
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The lesson to be learnt here is this; if you want to succeed in running and be the best, don't be afraid to have a mid-run poo or pee. It obviously works for some of the greats. However, it works in favour of your public image if you take a few minutes before the run to get your shit sorted.
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