How do elite marathon runners ?

Question

I walked a marathon but added 15 min. to my finish time because I had to wait in line for a bathroom stop. How do elite marathon runners avoid this?

Answer 1

They go right before the start and either regulate their fluid intake so they don't need to go, or urinate while running.  They do not drink their urine, they get electrolytes from aid stations along the course.

Answer 2

they either hold it or p**s their pants.

Answer 3

depends...

some runners p**s in nearby bushes,

and in extreme cases, runners drink their urine to regain electrolytes..

gross, eh?

Answer 4

They make sure they empty their bladders before they start running.  You probably drank too many fluids too close to the start of the race.  You should drink about 45 minutes before the start of the race, and spend that next 45 minutes going to the bathroom.  that's what I do before I run any 1/2 marathon and I've never (Not yet anyway) needed a bathroom break...

Answer 5

They train.

They hydrate appropriately in advance, and not too close to race start.

They'll wet themselves if they absolutely have to. (In some races I believe they've pulled off to the side.)

Because they're at the front, they don't have to stand in line. :)

They run really really fast because they want to get to the bathroom at the end. (And finishing faster frankly does mean it's less time they'd have to hold anything compared to "normal" people.)