Long Run Question

Athena413

So I'm not super new to running, but I'm definitely new to the longer distances. I'm training for my first half marathon (March 31!) and did a 12 mile long run today.

So here's my question: Is it normal to feel sick after a long run?

.5 mile warm-up, 11 mile run, .5 mile cool-down, had a gu every hour and a banana when I was finished - have used gu before and never had a problem, plenty of water today, felt fine before, no greasy foods yesterday or today, and now I feel icky...thoughts?

I did 10 miles last week and felt fine, 9 a couple weeks ago and felt fine, so I'm just trying to figure out if it's something I did that I shouldn't have or if it's just normal for your body to be in rebellion after 12 miles of awesomeness.

Rsespaniak

If it was just this one run it happened on, I wouldn't worry about it. There are occasional days my stomach just rebels against running. That said, there are particular brands and flavors of gels that don't sit well with my stomach. Those I need to avoid.

You might also want to see if there's any correlation between what you've eaten before the run. Avoiding the greasy food is a good start but there could be other foods that aren't working for you in this regard. Unfortunately this is one of those trial and error things.

coronalime

caffeine is what screws us up in this house!
I got a real sick feeling on my 32 miler. Luckily a lady was there and handed me some fruit snacks rolled in ginger. It helped me complete it. On that run I didnt fuel with any "real" food. and I think I needed it. I alse started fueling to late in the game and I was grabbing sugar at rest stops. So I think the strain of working out and the sugar or caffeine or something combo triggers me to get stomach aches.

joehempel

A GU every half hour?? Wow...I figured that would be the culprit right there.

I did an 11 mile run the other day with no water or gu. (never used a gu before)

Was a bit dehydrated, but I didn't hydrate well the previous couple days either.

jillybean9881

There's a reason there's something called "runner's diarrhea"! Running diverts blood away from the digestive tract (ischemia), and this can have any number of results - diarrhea, nausea, cramping, etc.

For me, I get stomach cramps after a long run. You have to find out what works for your body. For me, I eat a small meal before a run with plenty of fluid, take in some Gatorade during the run, and then eat a small meal almost immediately after finishing a long run. I don't eat anything during a long run until I get to over 12mi runs.

It kind of seems like you're eating too much Gu during your runs, though. If you're at 10 miles, you really don't require that much refueling during a run. Try different combinations of fluid and food intake at varying points during your long run day and see if that helps.

Tiffany789

I was very nauseated after my last 20 miler. I think it's because I pushed too hard and was dehydrated. After some chicken broth and crackers I was all better.