In a recent Ironman race I experienced extreme cramping during the end of the Bike and the marathon (even my hands and jaw cramped)…and I hade pain when I tried to breath deep.
I’m not sure if I was dehydrated, hyponatremic, both…or something else. My fitness was good…but I suffered through the run due to the cramping and breathing difficulty.
Any thoughts on a diagnosis?
… most likely HYPONATREMIA!
http://www.coolrunning.co.nz/articles/2000a006.html
It happens to pros as well:
http://www.transitiontimes.com/viewstorylocal.cfm?ID=3628&ett2local=michigan
Well, I’m not a pro, but that’s my story on TransitionTimes. I suffered very badly in Kona this year because my stomach shut down. I was drinking a lot, but it all just sat in my gut until I puked it all up at mile 3 of the run. At that point I was severely dehydrated and cramping like there was no tomorrow.
What was your race like? Conditions? Pace? What was your nutrition/hydration strategy? Did you stick to it? You say it was hard to breathe, was it from pain in your stomach?
Cramping is most likely caused by dehydration, either not drinking enough, or not absorbing what you do drink. Absorption problems can come from too highly concentrated drinks, or mixing complex and simple carbohydrates. Hyponatremia is less common, but more serious. It’s exact causes seem to elude the experts, but it can be from a combination of using NSAIDs before/during the event, and drinking too much straight water.
Did you get an IV after the race? If so, did you feel better afterwards? Did the cramping go away after you finished and drank a lot? If so, it’s more likely that it was simple dehydration, and you just have to look at your hydration/nutrition stategy.
It was IM Florida (Pace: 1:06 swim, 5:16 bike, and then at Mile 1 of the run I begain to cramp and had difficulty taking deep breaths without pain)…no stomach problems. I did not pee for thr whole race. I hydrated on the bike with four 24-oz bottls of gatoraid and one 24 oz bottle of gatorade/GU powder mix. I also had 4 gels, a bannana, and some peanut butter crakers on the ride. I drank alot of gatorade and some water on the run…but I had already fell off the cliff by Mile 1 of the run.
I guess since I didn’t pee that I was dehydrated. Any suggestions for being able to hydrate better (utilize the fluids and electrolyes)? Could it have been an electrolye issue?
Florida was pretty hot, so I would think about almost doubling your fluid intake. You had 24 oz’s an hour, evidently only taking Gatorade at every other aid station. Try alternating with Gatorade and water at every aid station. If you are using a front aero bottle, leaving a little Gatorade or water before refilling will give the water some taste, and the dilute the Gatorade a bit. Straight (full strength) Gatorade may have contributed to my stomach problems, so cutting it with water may help you absorb it. Electrolytes could have definitely played a role in your problems. Experiment with different salt tablets and see which works for you. I use www.e-caps.com Endurolytes.