Half marathon with a stoma

Cardiff Half Marathon

As I type this, I am in agony from the mighty Cardiff Half Marathon. This year it saw 29,000 runners from all over the world came to Cardiff to compete. If you have ever ran, doing a half marathon is one of the most common goals to aim for. It takes both mental and physical strength to carry out, and for someone with an ostomy there are things I had to consider more than others. I have been a runner for a few years now, and this was to be my third half marathon. I always take the opportunity to raise money for our boys hospital charity, Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital in Wales. 

Being prepared

It goes without saying that you should take a stoma bag change with you. I wore a bum bag which was big enough to have a pre-cut base, pouch, black waste bag, pack of tissues, and 50ml REFRESH 3 in 1 spray. Folded neatly, it fitted with room left for my phone and headphone case. I carried out my daily bag change the night before, and I felt confident my bag would not fail me. In previous years I did it before I left home for the race, but I didn’t feel the need to deviate from my normal routine this time. I did use flange extenders in case sweating and an increase in body temperature caused my bag to start peeling away from the edge. Luckily, this worked well and that didn’t happen. Using such a thing can give great security, and I would definitely order samples as a back up, even if you don’t require them for ‘just in case’.

Toilet stops

Portaloo stops can be found along the course. There are no signs saying when they will appear, but I received a race pack with a visual map with toilet stops clearly marked, so you can take comfort in knowing they are there. Even before the race started, the queues for them were very long, and no toilet roll to be seen by 9am with the race starting at 10am! Make sure to take a pack of tissues with you. There were very few accessible toilets, and it is near to impossible to change a stoma bag in a portaloo, so I would strongly recommend if you have any feeling of discomfort that would risk your stoma bag failing, to change it before you get there. Of course you can not predict if things take a turn, so if you can not see accessible facilities, make sure to ask a member of staff on the day where the nearest are, and explain your situation. They should do their best to help you. There is also a space on the back of your running number to complete if you have a medical condition. Make sure to fill that in, in case you need medical assistance.

Support wear

This is a very personal thing. Some people swear by wearing support wear, others don’t feel the need to. For me, if I time food correctly I don’t have hardly any output, and I can wear supportive leggings/shorts which removes the need for extra support wear. For others, they take great comfort in using it. You are entitled in the UK to get 6 garments on prescription per year, and there are many high quality types to choose from. This may be a support belt, underwear, or a vest for example. This is definitely something you need to plan and trial well before the event, to make sure you are as comfortable as can be whilst running with your bag. 

Hydration 

Spread around the course were multiple hydration stops, which are also shown on the race pack visual map provided beforehand. Hydration gels were given out which I stayed away from as they have had a laxative effect previously, which when you have an ileostomy and no colon is a no go! If you are offered something that you haven’t tried before, a half marathon wouldn’t be the best time to try. Do your research, and if there is something that will be offered that you are interested to try, it might be best to try them before race day to check how your body will react. For anyone, hydration is essential for 13.1 miles of exercise. Drinking little and often, including electrolytes, will ensure you stay as hydrated as possible. Be on the lookout for tell tale signs of dehydration, and if at any point you don’t feel well, stop and get yourself checked. There were medical staff scattered throughout the route, and for those that did need support in between, everyone steps in to help and support. 

People support

Whether your friends and family come to watch, or even run with you like my wonderful partner did, sharing this great experience and the atmosphere is the best feeling. Nothing can prepare you for the amount of love, encouragement and community you get during the race. When you feel like there is nothing left in the tank, the next poster, cheer, or hand hold means the world and powers you through. Make sure to take all the photos and soak it all up, as you will certainly make core memories that will last a lifetime. 

Rach x