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Over recent weeks we've taken a look at the barriers that face those who wish to exercise. In many cases, the effects of physical and mental illnesses can be a real handicap. Whilst health care professionals seek to find practical solutions, often involving drugs, it's important that we encourage a positive "can do" attitude as well. Eryn Barber has this in spades. Read this extract from her recent article in the brilliant Like The Wind...

It comes at you like a thief in the night. One minute you're trotting along, taking in the scenic views. The next, your body goes into panic mode. What if it happens right now? Because it feels like it's going to. There are no toilets within a 400m radius and you're really not prepared to drop and squat. And no, I'm not talking about a quick pee behind the bushes. 

If you've ever had food poisoning, you'll know exactly what it feels like to run with ulcerative colitis. It's that pivotal moment where your stomach drops and fear consumes you because you know it's coming, and nothing will stop it.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), along with Crohn's. It's an autoimmune disease, meaning that the body is malfunctioning and beating itself up. UC affects the inner lining of the large intestine and the rectum and can cause symptoms such as blood in stools, mucus, stomach cramps, diarrhoea and fatigues - and that's just a few of them.

Life with Ulcerative Colitis can be incredibly unpredictable. Read about Gaby Dufour's experience here

Research published in March 2022 by Crohn's and Colitis UK revealed that more than a half a million people in Britain are currently living with these conditions. I'm one of them. I have UC - luckily, only a minor form, but it can get a lot worse.

So how can runners with UC manage their condition? Unfortunately, there's not much I can do except run and see what happens. Like any distance runner who suffers with a bad stomach, I've got to be careful when it comes to chosing fuel for my long run. But it's all just trial and error. For example, I found out very quickly that Kendal mint cake is a big "no".

There are only two things you can really do when you're running with colitis. Number one, plan. Make sure there is a bathroom somewhere along the route. Number two, stop putting pressure on yourself. It's hard when you're training for an event, but health should always be your top priority. If I set out for a long run one day and my stomach isn't feeling it, then it's time to head back. I know the phrase "listen to your body" is pretty cliched, but quite frankly I'd much rather turn back and try another day than risk debilitating cramps afterwards ... or even worse.

Exercise can play an important part in recovery. Read about Annabelle Winters' experience here

I distinctly remember one of the first long runs I shared with Alex - now my partner, but at the time we were friends. You can imagine that during our 14km together in the north of England, my number one priority was to look graceful and elegant whilst running and not to have to dash to the bushes. I was (as I always will be) struggling to keep up, but pretending that I was just fine. We were running through some woodlands, and the feeling that anyone with UC dreads started to erupt in my stomach. At the time I was far too embarrassed to explain what was happening and just began slowly to fall back so he couldn't hear what would be coming next. Thank God, may I add, it was just trapped wind, otherwise I'm not sure I would have got a second date.

I'll be honest. It feels cringeworthy writing these stories down. But why? I want anyone who has gastrointestinal problems to read this and sigh with relief. If I can write it down for the public to read, then hopefully we can all become slightly more omfortable talking about gastric conditions to our friends and family. Inflammatory bowel disease can have a debilitating effect on our lives, so we need to start talking.

Poo is a bit of a taboo subject. Even writing "poo" feels a little bit naughty. But I don't know a single long-distance runner who hasn't experienced "runner's tummy" at some point in their life. It comes as part of the package, along with a niggly knee and the toenail that's poised to fall off. These are the unglamorous but common problems that occur when running.

But what I hope you take from this is that it's OK to talk about poo, and all of the other not-so-pretty issues that tag along with running. Chances are if it's happening to you, then it's happened to thousands of others too.  

Eryn is a personal trainer and writer based in Manchester. Her website can be found here.

The first of the "Barriers..." posts can be found here.

Barriers (Part 4) can be found here.