Throwing up at the end of a race?

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  • short_nerdy_lady
    short_nerdy_lady Posts: 152
    Thanks guys! Keep the stories and tips coming. I feel better now knowing that it's a normalish thing. Knowing I can do everything right and still be sick is also comforting as I thought I was doing something wrong.
  • LeanButNotMean44
    LeanButNotMean44 Posts: 852 Member
    When I used to race, I *aspired* to push myself so hard that I would throw up after I finished. It never happened, so I am pretty jelly! :wink:
  • gettheledout3372
    gettheledout3372 Posts: 13 Member
    I've run everything from 5k to two marathons without puking, though I would very often feel like I was going to at the end of my longer training runs (18 miles when the heat index is creeping up towards 100 is not fun o.O ). I came very close during my first marathon (bent over and heaving, but managed to keep it together somehow), but that was also right after my exhaustion-addled brain thought it would be a good idea to try to dry-swallow some advil liquigels around Mile 20.

    I have a pretty weak stomach in general, so I find that I need to eat a nice big meal, but waaaay before I run, and then maybe some crackers or toast closer to race time. Some naseau is normal, but puking should be a very-rarely-to-never kind of thing.

    I would change up what, how much and how often you eat before races to see what works for you, and don't do more than nibble & sip right afterwards until the nausea passes. The hot and cold feelings seem a bit odd, but heatstroke shouldn't really be a concern this early in the year.
  • Runs4Wine
    Runs4Wine Posts: 416 Member
    My last couple of races I get really queasy at the end of them - one of them I was actually recovering from the flu only to get it again - so I won't count that.

    However I think my nauseous/faint feeling comes from the sudden stop after running. With training I do a 5 minute cool down walk, but after a race I get the medal and then I typically walk to a place where I stretch. So my "cool down walk" is maybe 1 minute. I start feeling faint and queasy within a few minutes.

    I am still working on it, but I have yet to get sick in front of others - and honestly I've never seen it at any of my races, but that could be because I'm not coming in in the top 10%.
  • mrdexter1
    mrdexter1 Posts: 356 Member
    RE: electrolytes

    Not sure that's it as I was sipping Gaterade and water throughout the race.

    look at the contents of gaterade - and then look at the contents of a propper electrolye powder that is mixed to drink and you ll realise what your body will be missing the pace you re expecting it to perform at.
  • amybg1
    amybg1 Posts: 631 Member
    When I first started running 2 years ago I'd feel fine right after the run, and as we stretched as well but on my walk back towards the bus station (10-minute walk from the running store) and while waiting for the bus I'd feel slightly nauseous for a few minutes and then it would pass. E-mailed my guide whose also an avid runner about it and she suggested eating something after the run that was easy on my stomach and that my electrolytes were maybe a bit off. The next time I went running with her I had brought a bit of easily digestible food but she took out a banana for herself and she also had one for me. Ever since then if I'm feeling hungry or a bit off, in terms of digestion or anything post-run I'll eat a banana before eating anything else as it is stomach-friendly.

    But yes, feeling nauseous either means something's not right with your electrolyte balance and heat stress is taking over or you pushed too hard or it's just..pure adrenalin wearing off.

    As far as Gatorade...Some are fine with it but I personally prefer something a bit more "high-end" such as eLoad. It uses a different carb as Gatorade/Powerade, is lightly flavored (heat and pushing oneself tends to increase flavors which can upset stomach) and Powerade/Gatorade only replaces potassium and sodium and not necessarily at their optimal levels either. What you also lose in sweat (in lower concentrations) are magnesium, calcium and zinc.

    So I'd suggest trying out something that has NO protein in it as it could make your stomach work harder (Endurox R4 has a few grams protein) protein is fine pre or post-workout but during you want carbs as your fuel source. And if you really want to stick with Gatorade...water it down so it's more gentle on the stomach
  • short_nerdy_lady
    short_nerdy_lady Posts: 152
    @Amybg1 VERY helpful! I will go to The Running Room and check that out!
  • penguinlibrarian
    penguinlibrarian Posts: 33 Member
    The only race I've ever thrown up at was unfortunately right in front of a Earthwise healthy grocery store. It was a 5k and I got my fastest time ever -- 24 minutes -- but then I ralphed all over the parking lot, right in front of the frontdoors. Felt sorry for the people leaving with their bags of groceries having to watch a puking running. THAT'S appetizing.
  • JoanB5
    JoanB5 Posts: 610 Member
    @Missybct

    I had half a multigrain raisin pita thingy they gave us at the end of the 5k and at the 10K I managed 3/4 of a whole wheat bagel.

    I usually carb load the night before...like spaghetti or something. That morning, I eat about an hour to an hour and a half before the race, stop at a bathroom on the way there...go back to the bathroom once I get there, don't eat any more. Enough calories, but Iapretty "empty stomach" so that I don't get any surprises on the course. : )

    I sip water before the race a bit slowly. I don't need to drink during a 5K unless there are hills and it's extremely hot.

    I usually push hard during a race...about two minutes a mile faster than my normal easy runs, without even realizing it. I run by my level of breathing...making sure I can sustain, sometimes adding in some interval pushes if I'm trying to pass someone.

    At the race line, I often have to put my headdown and get very still for a minute to catch my breath and let heartrate return to normal. Sometimes, I cry. I can't help it. I was gasping wildly for breath my first 5K this year. It was attractive. I think I would have thrown up if I tried to walk aroun--I had to sprint toward the finish to maintain a lead. (The feeling tends to pass faster if I beat my opponent. LOL)

    Edit to add: I usually don't feel like eating much that day. Sometimes not much the day after, just very tired. By the third day, I'm ravenous! I WANT FOOD NOW...ALL DAY! That's just me.

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