Throwing up after long runs: wtf?

[Doc_Lobster]

I have been running since last summer, but until a couple of weeks ago never did more than 6ish miles. The last three weeks I have done 7 mi, 7 mi and 8 mi (today). Two out of three times, I was freezing cold and puking my guts out about 1.5 hours after I finished my run.

1) what the hell?
2) does this happen to other people?

I do get migraines and feel a bit of a headache, but not a ton of pain.

[gt7301b]

Are you dehydrated?

[Doc_Lobster]

I don't know. I drank about 6 oz on my run and I think I was reasonably hydrated before I left, but I do live in the desert and it is possible that I am underestimating my needs.

[jdbyogi]

I would drink more before and probably during as well. The freezing (and for me shivering) usually means I'm dehydrated or my electrolytes are out of whack.

I throw up sometimes during long runs, and I think it's the same issue, my electrolytes getting off balance. Usually sports drinks or salt and water help.

[Doc_Lobster]

Ok, I will give Gatorade a try and try to drink a little more. Hopefully that does it, because this shit sucks.

[kams]

I don't usually throw up (only once in a race), but I have gotten the chills after longer workouts. For me, it's electrolytes and dehydration. I would try nuun/Gatorade/ etc.

[hazelandblue]

You didn't take advil before or during did you? NSAIDS and running are a big no no. Causes major stomach issues.

[Doc_Lobster]

No, I didn't.

[emsumm]

I get sick after long runs, and particularly after races (my long is the same as your long). I don't really know why. My gut feeling is that it is overexertion. I haven't worked out my whole life, and I think when I really push my body it rebels a little bit. I had flu-like symptoms after my first 5k, which I ran 5 minutes faster than I ever had before. I know my heart rate was at 185 for the full race, and I think it was just a lot for my body to take.

[Doc_Lobster]

That's why I was kind of wondering about a migraine connection, because I have a hair trigger with those. It does not take much. But then again, I take spin twice a week and I feel like I am pushing myself a lot harder physically there than I do when I run and I don't get sick like this.

[emsumm]

Doc, I swear racing is different. I get headaches, too, after races and long runs. I sort of equate long distances I've never done before with racing. It's just not the same as a regular workout, even when you're pushing yourself.

[gt7301b]

Oct 28, 2012 13:40:14 GMT -5 Doc_Lobster said:

That's why I was kind of wondering about a migraine connection, because I have a hair trigger with those. It does not take much. But then again, I take spin twice a week and I feel like I am pushing myself a lot harder physically there than I do when I run and I don't get sick like this.

I get headaches when I am dehydrated after runs. It usually happens when I race in the dead of the summer. (Think July 4th races)

[Doc_Lobster]

That does make sense, since it only happened on the first times that I did those distances. I will try better hydration and repeating the distances to see what happened.

It's not hot where I am, but it is dry and I have only been living here since June. Maybe I am just not used to the dry desert climate instead of running in WI along the shore of a lake. I never really even got thirsty then, but I definitely do now.

[kams]

Oct 28, 2012 14:57:30 GMT -5 Doc_Lobster said:

That does make sense, since it only happened on the first times that I did those distances. I will try better hydration and repeating the distances to see what happened.

It's not hot where I am, but it is dry and I have only been living here since June. Maybe I am just not used to the dry desert climate instead of running in WI along the shore of a lake. I never really even got thirsty then, but I definitely do now.

I live in the same place, & I moved here from Colorado (high & dry, too). Hydration is absolutely key.

[Doc_Lobster]

Kams, how much do you usually drink on a run?

[kams]

Oct 28, 2012 16:40:57 GMT -5 Doc_Lobster said:

Kams, how much do you usually drink on a run?

In the heat, 3oz every 15 mins. When it's cool, nothing under 5, and about 2oz/15 mins for 5+. I usually take 1 day off a week, so most days I'm aiming to hydrate really well for the next day's workout.

It's something to really experiment with though, because too much is not a good thing either. As a native to this type of climate, I would say you acclimate, but you'll likely always be thirstier than you would at low altitude or in humidity. I also don't know that "drink to thirst" is as universal of a rule here.

ETA: these cool, breezy days are particularly drying, though. It's still a work in progress for me: today I did a 64 mike bike ride, took in 48 oz of water & Gatorade, & I feel like a raisin.

[Doc_Lobster]

Hmmmm. Usually my thirst tolerance is about 3 miles (that is when my throat is so dry I can't stand it anymore), so I usually take about 3 oz every 30 minutes after 3 miles. I am a speedy 11min mile runner, so that ends up being water at 3 miles and again at 6. I do think I am kind of a salty sweater, though, so maybe I need to take some sports drink for one of those. I will give it a shot.

[kams]

Oct 28, 2012 17:42:45 GMT -5 Doc_Lobster said:

Hmmmm. Usually my thirst tolerance is about 3 miles (that is when my throat is so dry I can't stand it anymore), so I usually take about 3 oz every 30 minutes after 3 miles. I am a speedy 11min mile runner, so that ends up being water at 3 miles and again at 6. I do think I am kind of a salty sweater, though, so maybe I need to take some sports drink for one of those. I will give it a shot.

Yeah, just test some things out. I get salty too, so I always do Gatorade or nuun. Hopefully you're able to find a solution soon. Proper hydration can be a really challenge, but I would guess that's probably the issue you're having.

[D2M]

Oct 28, 2012 12:03:41 GMT -5 hazelandblue said:

You didn't take advil before or during did you? NSAIDS and running are a big no no. Causes major stomach issues.

Really? Interesting. I went to the doc for tendonitis a month before my half and he told me (along with other things like stretching, icing, strengthening) to take an anti-inflammatory to stave off the pain. I puked my guts out after the race and now I'm wondering if the Alleve had anything to do with it... thanks for the insight.