Okay, so I’m getting ready to sign up for IMLOU. I tried to do IMCOZ a few months back and ended up passing out about 17-22 miles into the run from dehydration. More info on that race here. I did IMLOU in 07, but finished in a not-so-conventional and completely unofficial way. More on that race here. I know I need to get nutrition dialed in and I’ll be using infinit in training and at IMLOU. Problem is, I’m prone to heat exhaustion. I’ve passed out briefly a couple of times before after a long workout in the heat. But is there anything a person can do one the lightheadedness kicks in? If I have to lay down and take a nap at IMLOU I will. Whatever it takes to finish, even if it’s in 16:59. I’ve done IMCDA and IMFL without problems so I know I can go the distance, I just don’t want another ambulance ride.
If you know you have this problem, why choose the hottest race in NA?
If you know you have this problem, why choose the hottest race in NA?
He’s obviously not a card carrying member of MENSA.
SALT
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If your goal is 16:59, besides from better nutrition, consider chilling out on the intensity during the race … dial it back a couple of notches. Of course, if you are near 16:59 on a good day then that may not work well 
Not MENSA but I do have a college master’s degree ; ) I’ve volunteered at IMLOU the past two years so I know what the weather is like. Thing is, I live in Tennessee so I figure I can train in the same conditions. Plus it’s close.
I’ve taken the salt tabs as well. Maybe just not enough.
My PR is 13:10 and I’d like to beat it but my priority is finishing. I’m just wondering if anyone else has dealt with the dizziness and gotten over it during a race. And if so, how?
He just HAD to be an Ironman.
Again.
At $10 per engraved character, I believe you owe me about $290.00 plus 6% tax. There is a $50 surcharge if you want to go with granite rather than marble.
Dood, that sucks. Especially as IMCOZ last year was really quite cool weather (for here. We’ve already had a few 35C days here in January). do you use Endurolytes or some replacement pill at all? If you train in these conditions, try it training and see if that helps. I find I need endurolytes even this winter (but November had, seriously, our coldest temperatures all year).
Kathy,
I did take some endurolytes at IMCOZ but I also got a stomach bug a couple of days before so that probably didn’t help. I drank plenty of water thinking that would be enough but should have had more Gatorade.
“college master’s degree” ??
Kathy,
I did take some endurolytes at IMCOZ but I also got a stomach bug a couple of days before so that probably didn’t help. I drank plenty of water thinking that would be enough but should have had more Gatorade.
I’m guessing then that you went into the IM already dehydrated depending on your vomiting and diarrhea beforehand. Since you have similiar (heat and humidity) weather, I’d try some electrolyte replacement during training and see if that makes any difference. Good luck!
Yeah, because no one was impressed with my elementary school master’s degree ; )
Actually I meant to write master’s degree and college slipped in there somehow. I think it might have something to do with all the student essays I’ve been grading. Good catch nonetheless.
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SALT
HTFU first?
Other have said it, but race cooler races.
I don’t pass out in the heat, I just hate it. Therefore, I do cool weather races. Hell, I’d rather swim across a frozen lake, ride on a frozen road and run or snowshoe in the snow than do any IM above the freezing point.
do yourself a favour, get your nutrition and hydration sorted, choose cooler races and maybe a camelbak so you can simply douse yourself with water at will to keep your temperature as low as you can. Ice vests, all sorts of options. (If you think and ice vest for example would slow you down, compare it to how much the med tent or an ambulance slows you down)
Ice vests, all sorts of options. (If you think and ice vest for example would slow you down, compare it to how much the med tent or an ambulance slows you down)
yes but will an ice vest make you look silly?
You ask that question, when compression sox are worn in tri’s and we ran in speedo’s for 10 years, and, and, and… Tiathlon ain’t no fashion show.
IF an ice vest gets the poor guy to the finish line alive, the who gives a rats ass how funny you or I might think he looks.
As soon as Macca runs Kona in an ice vest and cuts 5 min off his run split, we’ll all be wearing them, as long as they are made from carbon of course!
When I did IMKY in 2010 I saw a bunch a guys passed out on the sidelines. They were dropping like flies.
The 2 most important parts you have to cover with white clothing is your frontal lobe and the back of the neck/ upper back. That is where the sun hits you the hardest.
Use lots of sunscreen, it exfoliates the skin and allows more efficient evapotranspiration to cool the surface of your skin. Take salt but only how much your body needs, everyone is different, some people don’t really need it. Ibuprofen or tylenol can help too. Drink lots of water the days before, make sure your urines is clears and colorless for 2 days before the race. Don’t wear a wetsuit on the swim, all it will do is raise your core temp. The swim is mostly down current so you get an advantage anyways, no wetsuit required for kentucky. Put sunscreen on your back before the swim because the kentucky sun is that strong it will burn you. The water is warm too, any advantage you might get wearing a wetsuit is not worth it. There is a high risk of fatigue from overheating in a suit, especially from the sound of what you’re telling me it could be more risk for you.
Put ice in your shorts by he big arteries, and on your wrists during the run. It cools your blood before it goes to the core, reducing your core temp, it works wonders you can feel the difference almost instantly. Obviously wear good sunglasses you don’t want to waste energy squinting.
Good luck, I’m doing KY as well this year. The heat is tough, but having a good race in tough conditions is rewarding.
is your blood pressure ok? have you talked to a medic about this? maybe there is an underlying problem. Otherwise just slowdown, cover your head and nec, poor water over your self at every op. Passing out cant be good for you. Why dont you try doing HIM in the heat first and work on that until you nail it then move up to IM distance. I hate the heat, I did some training in France a couple of summers ago and it was hell, just remember to slow down and cover up. If you start to feel a little dodge then walk for a bit. Are you thinking about this on the bike leg too? make sure your back and nec are under white clothes, keep cool on the bike too and it may help…
good luck, sounds like a pain in the arse to me.
Any military guys here that can shed some light on how you cope with it?