8-mile "Tempo" Run...It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...
It was the worst of times: one mile to go, pace right at 10-minutes miles, and I got a severe cramp in my right leg. Youch!!! I sort of crumbled to the ground, and then quickly made my way to the side to stretch it out. It had been aching slightly earlier in the run, but I wasn't too worried as my legs usually ache during the early-morning tempo runs. This was the first real cramp I have gotten during running. Barbara and I had to walk the last mile - it took us 21 minutes because every time I tried to speed up, the pain came back! We spent that 21 minutes discussing why I got a cramp. Potassium levels? Sodium levels? Calcium levels? Dehydration? Not enough fuel? It was a different kind of gel this morning, maybe that's why? The two burrios last night? (All opinions welcomed and much solicited.)
Once I got home, I had to run to the bathroom immediately, as I was seized with lower-intestional cramping (yes, disgusting, I know!). Dry heaves of the intestines - NOT FUN. I'm still feeling a little strange today.
Later evidence says: I was seriously dehydrated.
How to prevent this in the future:
1. Take 20 oz gatorade in my hand-held for these runs.
2. Take one gel before running.
3. Take another gel half-way through.
4. Pre-hydrate the day/night before.
Comments
DATE: 9:43 PM, December 16, 2005
How much water had you been drinking? That would be my guess....I drink a lot of water ALL the time. If I don't go to the bathroom every hour and a half then I can tell I'm dehydrated, and I drink about twice as much as a 'normal' day for the 24 hours following a long run to rehydrate up. With all the extra running you may need to up your fluids. I don't know if you're a coffee drinker or not, but I've found that somehow coffee manages to dehydrates me. I don't drink it often, so if it's part of your normal routine then it shouldn't be a problem. A lot of runners have coffee right before a run for the caffeine (I take a shot of Coke.)
Posted by: Rae | April 2, 2006 01:07 PM
DATE: 12:06 AM, December 17, 2005
If you continue to have problems with cramping after experimenting with drinking more you might want to give succeed or some form of endurolyte tablet a try. In ultra's they are usually a must, but I have used them in marathons as well to keep my sodium and potassium levels in check. Because I sweat so much it is hard for me to drink and eat enough to keep from cramping. You can even empty the tablets into your gatorade or water that way you don't have to take the extra time to pull the tablets out and carry them with you. Just a thought.
Posted by: robtherunner | April 2, 2006 01:07 PM
I can't believe it, my co-worker just bought a car for $18121. Isn't that crazy!
Posted by: Betsy Markum | May 18, 2006 07:55 PM