After crossing the line at IMUSA I felt fine – happy, smiling, talking with friends and family. Then 15 minutes later, mid-massage, I started to experience numbness in my hands, arms and head. This numbness got intense and I noticed I was slurring my words. Off the medical tent I went (for the first time ever). Two bags of IV fluid, 48 oz of Gatorade and 2 chicken soups, I started to return to normal. I do remember that I weighed 184 before the race and 180 after (soaking wet).
What I don’t fully understand is whether it was straight dehydration, low electrolytes, or a combination of the two that caused this intense reaction. I really did drink a lot of Gatorade on the bike and at every aid station on the run. Pee’d only once, shortly after the run start.
Any experts/experienced athletes out there with insight?