This blog is for women only!
One problem with increasing my running distance is the need to go to the bathroom. Especially in the hot summer weather, I drink alot, and thus need to pee alot!
I tried simply squatting, and well, it was just a mess.
So, I searched online for female unrine funnels, and found a product called Magic Cone. They cost 62 cents each, which seemed like a lot just to be able to pee in the woods!
Rather than pay 62 cents a pop, I made one out of a paper plate. It worked great, and paper plates only cost about 2 cents each. I even folded it and put it in my pocket. The only challenge is finding a discreet place to pee along the trail, and I worry about my safety going off trail too. But, well, certain things can’t be helped.
The picture at right shows how I did it. Click picture to enlarge it.
To use it, follow the instructions for the http://tinyurl.com/5l6jm Magic Cone site. Be sure to use it with the stapled edge up, so pee doesn’t leak out of the seam.
UPDATE: more notes about this…
1) I gave up caffeine to allow me to go longer without the need to pee. That really helps alot. I even try to not drink any decaff coffee on the days of my long runs.
2) I found that if I have this paper plate thing in the pocket of my running shorts, it gets sweaty and loses it’s shape and then it doesn’t work. What I do now if I have to pee on a run, is find a discreet place in the woods. Then I lean my back against a tree and my legs are spread apart at an angle away from the tree. Then I just use one hand to pull my shorts and underwear to the side and pee. Since I’m not pulling my pants down, I can make a quick exit if someone else comes along the trail! It takes some practice but I can do it without the urine dribbling down my legs and making a big mess. Also, I figure I’m all sweaty anyway….so if a little urine gets on my skin – who the heck is going to know or care?
3) Peeing while running on the road is a bit more of a challenge due to privacy. Sometimes I’ll pass a house under construction and use the porta potty at the site.
4) i haven’t found a solution for having to pee if I am wearing long pants.
I found that if you cut the bottom of a water bottle off about halfway. Unscrew the cap and put the opening of the bottle to your “pee hole” and pee quick. Works well for me as I hope it does for you!
Smartway’s urine funnel is a cheap alternative to making your own. Water resistant and they’re packaged small. I always take one while I train.
I find squatting to be the best and most effective method, also discreet if you do it right. The squat toilet is pretty common in asia, and even in France and Italy where I lived for several years, so I got plenty of practice. You don’t need to lean against anything, just squat in a low position pulling your shorts and knickers aside and pee. I do this even when wearing a skirt about town when I can’t find a toilet ( lack of public toilets is very common in Europe) Nobody is ever the wiser.
I find using and apple juice carton in stead of a paper plate ruduces the soggyness when you are peeing!
You can make a pee device using a coffee lid. Trim the trimming and that’s it.