Feeling faint/sick while running

graceire · August 2014

Hello all,

Let me preface by saying I'll probably go to the doctor about this, since its happened more than once. 'Probably' because I hate going to the doctor, but might just need to this time...

I was doing my long run today--9 miles; on a treadmill at home since its really hot out today. I'm training for a half marathon and I'm a fairly new runner. My long run last week was 8 miles and felt easy. I incorporate a running/walking strategy as I'm not able to run the entire distance. At about mile 6 I felt really weak. I ate a Clif shot gel, drank water, and kept going. Eating a gel is not new, this is something I have about half way through every long run.

But right away felt really faint, weak in the legs, I started to sweat profusely (the pre-faint sweats one can get), felt nauseous, light-headed, vision going wonky, and my throat and upper chest hurt when I breathed. I stopped and sat with my head between my knees. It took a little while but I eventually felt better. I drank a Gatorade pre-game prime, although it took a little while for the nausea to go away enough to get it down. I finished the run, but much slower and with more walking.

Could this just be an electrolyte thing? I sip water while I run, maybe a mouthful every half mile or so, trying not to overdo it with the water.

Some stats: I eat between 1800 and 2000 calories a day so I don't think its that I don't eat enough. I'm 43 yo, 5'.3" and 160.

Just thought I'd get some ideas/opinions before going to the doctor. Maybe someone else has experienced this and knows what's up?

Achrya · August 2014

Did you eat anything aside from the gel before working out? Is it possible you're doing too much too soon?

But mostly tagging for people who know more about this than e.

graceire · August 2014

Did you eat anything aside from the gel before working out? Is it possible you're doing too much too soon?

But mostly tagging for people who know more about this than e.

I had eggs, bacon and toast about 5 hours before, a yogurt 3 hours before, and a fiber one bar one hour before. I usually try to eat a meal 2 hours before running, but it didn't work out that way today (took a krav maga intro class around noon--nothing high intensity, just an intro).

PetulantOne · August 2014

Bumping so my more experienced running friends might be able to help.

auntiemsgr8 · August 2014

I, like you, are a newer runner but my two cents is that you went too long into your run to eat anything,

I recently went to a class held at my running store and it was advised to have a pre run carb/protein snack and then take in electrolytes at 45 minutes and then every 30-45 minutes after until you stop running.

You may need a liquid form of electrolytes too and not just water.

Its possible you were running too fast. Try slowing down and/or increasing your walk intervals.

How far were you planning on running. Most people advise increasing your long run by only 10% each week. Going from 8 to 9 miles may have been too much

Personally, I would wait and see if it happened again after heeding any other advice you get here. But then I tend to try to 'heal/diagnose' myself first. If it does then I would speak with your MD about it

graceire · August 2014

I, like you, are a newer runner but my two cents is that you went too long into your run to eat anything,

I recently went to a class held at my running store and it was advised to have a pre run carb/protein snack and then take in electrolytes at 45 minutes and then every 30-45 minutes after until you stop running.

You may need a liquid form of electrolytes too and not just water.

Its possible you were running too fast. Try slowing down and/or increasing your walk intervals.

How far were you planning on running. Most people advise increasing your long run by only 10% each week. Going from 8 to 9 miles may have been too much

Personally, I would wait and see if it happened again after heeding any other advice you get here. But then I tend to try to 'heal/diagnose' myself first. If it does then I would speak with your MD about it

Thanks!

I'm following a half marathon training schedule I found at a marathon training website. Its longer than usual, at 20 weeks. This was week 11. The long run for the last two weeks was 8 miles, then up one mile for the next two weeks, and on up to 12 miles.

Maybe I should mix water and Gatorade/PowerAde so I'm not just drinking water while I run.

I'd try slowing down, but I'm already pretty darn slow! A bit embarrassingly slow, really

It has happened before, but this was worse than before which is probably why I'm a little more freaked out about it.

LoneWolfRunner · August 2014

I don't think it had anything to do with eating or not eating... or lack of electrolytes. It probably had more to do with over-exertion or over-heating. If you are new to running, when you start pushing up toward double digit mileage, your body is not necessarily ready to handle that exertion. I have been only running for a little over three years and still feel like a beginner in many respects, but the eating issues or electrolyte issues didn't really hit me until I was hitting higher mileage runs (15-20+). Miscalculating then can lead to the classic "bonk"... not fun, but definitely a learning experience.

I'm no expert, but I would lay off the gels and not so much water until you get to 15-20+ runs. I have found the one thing that totally rocks it for me for distances up to at least 12-15 miles is a couple tablespoons of chia seeds in 8 oz. of water about 30 minutes before a run. It turns into a gel-like substance that is easy on the stomach and is essentially flavorless. It keeps me hydrated and gives a subtle, but steady energy push.

Just keep at it.... but if your symptoms keep happening, go to your doctor and get checked out to make sure you don't have bigger more serious issues.

graceire · August 2014

Thanks, LoneWolf. I think that I'll try the chia seeds--I like the idea of something working over time instead of on-the-spot energy.

Its interesting how I can have a great run one week (I also do 3 smaller runs during the week, from 4 to 6 miles each), and a crappy, painful one the next, and only adding one mile. I know that they can't all be easy, but jeez!

coral_b · August 2014

Chia seeds are excellent! Try them in milk, too. Also.. Age old but works for me. A banana before keeps me going steady, although I am a newby runner and mostly do up to 10-12k, I can feel the difference when I haven't had one. Good luck with your race x

badbcatha05 · August 2014

ETA- annoying duplicate

badbcatha05 · August 2014

Thanks!

I'm following a half marathon training schedule I found at a marathon training website. Its longer than usual, at 20 weeks. This was week 11. The long run for the last two weeks was 8 miles, then up one mile for the next two weeks, and on up to 12 miles.

Maybe I should mix water and Gatorade/PowerAde so I'm not just drinking water while I run.

I'd try slowing down, but I'm already pretty darn slow! A bit embarrassingly slow, really

It has happened before, but this was worse than before which is probably why I'm a little more freaked out about it.

This sounds mighty familiar... I think I followed the same program for my first half back in May. I felt kind of like death making the jump from 8 miles to 9 for the first time and then again going from 10 to 11. If you aren't using walk breaks, don't be afraid of them if they help you avoid feel awful.

The Chia seed idea is an interesting one that seems like it could help. At that point in the program I was starting to experiment with what I could consume on my long runs for the race... If you plan on eating something during the race, better to make sure it's agreeable during training runs.

I find I get light headed and faint when it's really hot and humid out. I think I dehydrate much faster than I realize even inside. Could you have been more dehydrated than usual? I typically only drink water when I run, but quite a lot of it. Nothing fancy like gatorades.

Good luck figuring it out- I know I avoid the doctor whenever possible too. And good luck in your race too!

ETA- this is definitely the same program, I ditched that middle run and the annoying sunday 2 miler. I was getting run down and felt on the verge of injury. That helped a lot.

hbrittingham · August 2014

Just a question that may not pertain to anything. Do you still get TOM? If so, where are you in your cycle? I have had something similar happen to me in the past, and I wasn't even exercising at the time, but it was at the beginning of my TOM.

_Terrapin_ · August 2014

I, like you, are a newer runner but my two cents is that you went too long into your run to eat anything,

I recently went to a class held at my running store and it was advised to have a pre run carb/protein snack and then take in electrolytes at 45 minutes and then every 30-45 minutes after until you stop running.

You may need a liquid form of electrolytes too and not just water.

Its possible you were running too fast. Try slowing down and/or increasing your walk intervals.

How far were you planning on running. Most people advise increasing your long run by only 10% each week. Going from 8 to 9 miles may have been too much

Personally, I would wait and see if it happened again after heeding any other advice you get here. But then I tend to try to 'heal/diagnose' myself first. If it does then I would speak with your MD about it

Thanks!

I'm following a half marathon training schedule I found at a marathon training website. Its longer than usual, at 20 weeks. This was week 11. The long run for the last two weeks was 8 miles, then up one mile for the next two weeks, and on up to 12 miles.

Maybe I should mix water and Gatorade/PowerAde so I'm not just drinking water while I run.

I'd try slowing down, but I'm already pretty darn slow! A bit embarrassingly slow, really

It has happened before, but this was worse than before which is probably why I'm a little more freaked out about it.

If the long runs are 8,8,9,12 in succession you may want to re-consider the plan and view other options. Many plans have you increase the long run for 2 weeks and then take a re-set or lower long run. Many programs out there and you do not need to follow them to a 'T'. Some days dialing it back isn't going to kill you, but trying to run through almost passing out could. Best of luck.

_Terrapin_ · August 2014

link for Higdon's half for a novice:

http://www.halhigdon.com/training/51131/Half-Marathon-Novice-1-Training-Program

Notice the long run days; 2 re-sets over the 12 week program. They are there to make sure you aren't overtraining and getting you prepared for the half.

LoneWolfRunner · August 2014

Going into a race, if I have to choose, I'd rather be under-trained than over-trained. Over-training can lead to injury and set-back... the worst thing under-training can do is get you a DNF... which I tell myself means "Did Nothing Fatal"

abcgfed · August 2014

I was having a similar problem. I think my blood sugar gets a little low. I started eating a small snack right before I run - like 50-75 calories of granola. It hasn't happened since. If I had a little bit more an hour in advance, I would struggle. But that little bit right before is enough to keep me going. Hope that helps - good luck with your first half!

Archon2 · August 2014

My bet is you didn't have quite enough carbs in your system and you got a mild bonk.

http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/Exercise-Metabolism-Energy/a/Bonking-Hitting-The-Wall.htm
I've made that mistake a couple times -- once on the cycle and another time on an all day mountain hike with a heavy backpack.

You had a bit of toast during breakfast...it might not have been enough carbs? Next time try some oatmeal or something like that before the workout. Drink before you are thirsty too. The Gatorade is good too if you sip on it as you run.

strassenkoenigin · August 2014

I live in a very hot climate and I have that problem when it is also humid outside. Usually we have a dry heat which I seem to tolerate better. But if it gets humid I have the same symptoms and I actually fainted once.

graceire · August 2014

Thanks everyone!

This is the plan that I was following:

http://www.halfmarathons.net/20-week-half-marathon-training-schedule/

I had plenty of time to train so thought that this one would be good, since it repeats every week before moving up in distance.

Turns out there was an underlining cause after all. I had to go to the ER last night for severe abdominal pains and (so TMI:) bleeding from place that shouldn't ever bleed....

I guess a new diagnosis of ulcerative colitis, and fighting off that infection, and trying to do a longer distance run was too much for my system and I got over-taxed. I have to take it easy for a while, complete the antibiotic regimen, and see a specialist. Yay!<---so much sarcasm...

Thanks for all the help, though!

graceire · August 2014

My bet is you didn't have quite enough carbs in your system and you got a mild bonk.

http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/Exercise-Metabolism-Energy/a/Bonking-Hitting-The-Wall.htm
I've made that mistake a couple times -- once on the cycle and another time on an all day mountain hike with a heavy backpack.

You had a bit of toast during breakfast...it might not have been enough carbs? Next time try some oatmeal or something like that before the workout. Drink before you are thirsty too. The Gatorade is good too if you sip on it as you run.

Thanks for the link--will definitely up the carbs before my next run.

graceire · August 2014

I live in a very hot climate and I have that problem when it is also humid outside. Usually we have a dry heat which I seem to tolerate better. But if it gets humid I have the same symptoms and I actually fainted once.

Yikes! I've come close a few times with hot races, even on shorter distance 5Ks. I'm in Memphis, TN so it gets pretty hot here--I've learned to not try to PR those races!

Feeling faint/sick while running

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