I pooped myself while running a marathon — and I kept going

She made the best out of a crappy situation.

Avid runner Tamara Torlakson revealed that she once pooped her pants while running the Long Beach Mountains 2 Beach Marathon in 2018 — but still managed to achieve her best running time.

Torlakson, who was 31 years old at the time of the incident, said that her desire to compete in the 26-mile course came from her “new mom energy,” according to a resurfaced Insider article that’s going viral on Monday.

The California native said there was nothing unusual going on with her body that gave any indication she would soil herself.

“Training was going really well — I knew I was in really good shape,” said Torlakson, who had run the same distance six times before giving birth.

On the day of the competition, which started in Ojai, California, and ended in West Los Angeles, she was determined to set a new personal record — as this was her first postpartum race.

It wasn’t until the 13th mile that Torlakson experienced her No. 2 crisis.


On the day of the competition, which started in Ojai, California and ends in West Los Angeles, Torlakson was determined to set a new personal record as this was her first postpartum race.
“It just came out and I felt a lot better,” said Torlakson, who didn’t break stride for another 13 miles and ended up completing the race in 3 hours and 7 minutes.

‘Movement gets the digestive system moving a little more quickly than if you are sitting still. While it may be inconvenient, it’s never in and of itself a dangerous sign.’

Dr. Devin Smith, on what’s known as ‘runner’s trot’

That’s when her body requested a spontaneous bathroom break despite the runner’s desire to keep going.

“I thought, ‘I don’t know if it’s possible to poop while running, but I will try,’ ” said Torlakson. “I didn’t want one poop to mess it all up.”

Torlakson was given her answer after she relieved herself in her short’s built-in underwear.

That’s when she told Insider she just “had to focus.”

“It just came out and I felt a lot better,” said Torlakson, who didn’t break stride for another 13 miles and ended up completing the race in 3 hours and 7 minutes.

When the bowel movement moment arrived, Torlakson said she just “didn’t give a s – – t”  if other runners saw what had happened.

“Marathoners don’t judge,” said Torlakson, who also shouted “I pooped my pants” to her family and friends as she crossed the finish line.


According to Torlakson, there was nothing going on with her body that gave any indication that her bowels would open up.
According to Torlakson, there was nothing going on with her body that gave any indication that her bowels would open up.

"It just came out and I felt a lot better," laughed the Torlakson who didn't break stride for another 13 miles and ended up completing the race in 3 hours and 7 minutes.
According to medical pros, Torlakson likely suffered from what professionals call “runner’s trot” and that it is completely normal.

According to doctors, Torlakson suffered from what professionals call "runner’s trot" and that it is completely normal.
According to Torlakson’s Instagram, she is still running races to this day, though it is unknown if she has any more race-day accidents.

Torlakson told the outlet that right after crossing she booked it over to the medical tent to get cleaned up.

According to medical pros, Torlakson likely suffered from what professionals call “runner’s trot” and that it is completely normal.

“Walking and jogging tend to increase gastric motility and gastric emptying in everyone; this is a physiologic response,” Dr. Devin Smith told UnityPoint Health. “Movement gets the digestive system moving a little more quickly than if you are sitting still. While it may be inconvenient, it’s never in and of itself a dangerous sign.”

Dr. Smith continued, “While there’s no exact cause, it likely results from a combination of different factors including blood distribution between intestines and muscles, hormonal changes, mechanical stimulation of the organs and possible stress or anxiety, especially on race day.”

According to Torlakson’s Instagram posts, she is still running races to this day, though it is unknown if she has any more race-day accidents.

The Post reached out for comment about her 5-year-old viral moment resurfacing online.