Post Marathon swelling?

jstonecipher
jstonecipher Posts: 1 Member
edited January 1 in Health and Weight Loss
Okay so I ran my very first Marathon Saturday and it's a beast of a course (Yes, of course, i WOULD choose to make my first marathon the one that goes up over and mountain and back on an Alaskan island in October rain, brilliant!) I really loved it but it's Monday morning and this is going to sound superficial but my thighs are touching again and they weren't before the race. This sounds ridiculous but I'm Mexican on one side and Dutch on the other, I fought for years to figure out how to slim down those thighs. I celebrated a little but i think even race day i only put down maybe 1600 cal and probably around 1300 yesterday, at 5'11'' and 170lbs that's just not enough to gain real weight right? I realize I'm probably just freaking myself out but still. Help?

Replies

  • LoosingMyLast15
    LoosingMyLast15 Posts: 1,457 Member
    you could just be swollen from the race. congratulations on running a marathon that's awesome!!!!! i would spend the next few days hydrating like crazy (lots of water) and see if that helps. i can't imagine you can bulk up like that just from a race.
  • jess7386
    jess7386 Posts: 477 Member
    I would definitely call a doctor about this. I don't want to alarm you and it's probably just a result of running such a long distance, but swollen extremities could point to a larger issue.

    Please give them a call sooner rather than later, "just in case."

    And congrats on the marathon!
  • doggiesnot
    doggiesnot Posts: 334 Member
    I'm no expert, but I would guess it's lactic acid.

    http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=why-does-lactic-acid-buil
  • girlykate143
    girlykate143 Posts: 220 Member
    Congrats!! Your muscles are holding onto a lot of water. That's what happens after strenuous exercise. Plus, you were moving for like 3 - 4 hours, right? Your body is freaked out. My guess is that you could have easily eaten 2000-2300 calories and been fine that day. Not all before the race, that is.

    keep drinking tons of water, maybe cut back on salt. It will come off in a day or so.
  • yo_andi
    yo_andi Posts: 2,178 Member
    Congrats on finishing your race! My guess is lactic acid build-up/water retention because you just did something incredibly strenuous! I would get it checked out just to be sure.

    Well done again!
  • SamSkinnyJeans
    SamSkinnyJeans Posts: 5
    Running that distance (congrats y the way!!) forces your body to swell up big time! You are probaly also retaining a lot of water which will make you feel puffy. Give it a few days and try not to worry!!
  • Cheval13
    Cheval13 Posts: 350 Member
    puh-lease... I doubt there's a reason to call the doctor.

    Congratulations on the marathon! The bloating is probably most definitely from running. When you were training, you probably found yourself a bit bloated the days after long runs, right? At least I do. Give it a few more days, re-hydrate, take in a lot of vitamins and minerals, and soon you'll find yourself to be in excellent shape. When recovering from a marathon, I think the week afterward is the best reward! Then I start to feel flabby again and decide it's time to start running again.
  • gddrdld
    gddrdld Posts: 464 Member
    I would definitely call a doctor about this. I don't want to alarm you and it's probably just a result of running such a long distance, but swollen extremities could point to a larger issue.

    Please give them a call sooner rather than later, "just in case."

    And congrats on the marathon!

    I don't believe what she is describing is actual edema..I think it's just water retension from the marathon. Very normal. As long as you don't have any ankle swelling or pitting edema or other signs and symptoms, then it is very normal and happen to me after long training sessions all the time.
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