A question for the runners out there...

[jerivera]

Hoping someone in the forums knows this one and can help me out!

I'm in the middle of training for the DL 1/2. I'm assuming due to length of runs and raising temps, I'm now sweating like crazy during my runs. After my run & cooldown, if I wipe away sweat from my face, it feels as if I had scraped my cheeks or something.

It's ok after a shower, which is why I'm assuming it's related to the salt in the sweat, but that's just a guess.

My question is, has/does this happen to anyone else, and if so, how did you deal with it? More water intake? One of those anti-chafing products? Start moisturizing?? Other???

Thank you!

 

[RookieLady]

It may have something to do with where you run and not be salt. I am from the south and when I run in the park, I get covered in oak pollen that is so fine, but it feels gritty like salt. When I run around the neighborhood, I don't get that. Just something to think about, since I saw you were from the south, too.

 

[UConnFan]

Yes. This happens to me and I believe it is salt. You will want to replenish your salt when you're losing it. Many runners actually eat salt packets straight, but I have never done so. There are other methods, like putting a nun tablet in water or finding running fuel with salt in it. Many endurance runners eat foods on the run that have salt in them, as well.

Research salt loss while running. You will likely see improvements when you find a way to increase your salt intake. You'll feel stronger and avoid the salt headache at the end of runs. Many people think these headaches are from dehydration, but it actually has to do with salt and electrolyte loss.

 

[wilkeliza]

There is a lot you can do.

First off more water input. If you are running in the heat and sweating you need to replace that water. Hydration is also important the days leading up to a run so you should be drinking more water every day now not just the days you are active.

On my face I use a cream that is for wind burn/sunscreen it helps but you have to find a brand that works for you. Nothing worse than breaking out like a teenager or getting sunscreen in your eyes.

A tech hat may also help. The hat will collect a lot of the sweat and salt along with it.

I have a fuel plan in place. I eat something every 2 miles. I have to due to metabolism issues (burn threw fuel like crazy) but I know a lot of runners who do it every 5K. I use stuff that has electrolytes, salt, and sugar. They aren't always in the same product but I try to replace those 3 through out my runs.

 

[ANIM8R]

Hoping someone in the forums knows this one and can help me out!

I'm in the middle of training for the DL 1/2. I'm assuming due to length of runs and raising temps, I'm now sweating like crazy during my runs. After my run & cooldown, if I wipe away sweat from my face, it feels as if I had scraped my cheeks or something.

It's ok after a shower, which is why I'm assuming it's related to the salt in the sweat, but that's just a guess.

My question is, has/does this happen to anyone else, and if so, how did you deal with it? More water intake? One of those anti-chafing products? Start moisturizing?? Other???

Thank you!

This has happened to me. I always attributed it to wiping my face with the sleeve of my shirt....but that's just conjecture. I never thought of it being salt-related.

 

[UConnFan]

This is an interesting article.

http://www.runnersworld.com/nutrition-runners/pass-salt?page=single

 

[Rose&Mike]

I have been using salt packets at races and salt in a plastic baggie for regular long runs for a couple of years now. Before that--nausea, cramps, headaches, etc. Usually don't need any up to about an hour, but anything over that or during any race, I increase my salt intake. I tried endurolytes and they just weren't enough. I think, especially if you don't eat much processed food, you can get in trouble fast if you are a heavy salt sweater. (I am covered at the end of a long run/after most races.) I know there are lots of folks on here who disagree, but as my own experiment of one, I have found that increasing my salt intake definitely works for me.

 

[RD-SOX]

Pickle juice!!

I have never researched it but I heard it on the NFL network once when they were talking about August training camps, helps to prevent dehydration and gives you the salt that you lose during workouts in hot weather.

 

[StayCool]

When I run my fingers swell up like sausages. At first I thought it could just be a gravity thing, but could it be due to low salt/me sweating too much? I haven't found anything to relieve it yet other than time.

 

[DisneyBookworm]

When I run my fingers swell up like sausages. At first I thought it could just be a gravity thing, but could it be due to low salt/me sweating too much? I haven't found anything to relieve it yet other than time.

I'm new to running/walking long distances, but my mom and I have the same problem. I think the swelling might be from the increased blood flow caused by exercise. The one thing we've found to help is lifting our hands above our heads. When we do this, we can feel the blood rushing out of our hands, and it feels amazing.

 

[ANIM8R]

Pickle juice!!

I have never researched it but I heard it on the NFL network once when they were talking about August training camps, helps to prevent dehydration and gives you the salt that you lose during workouts in hot weather.

For me, this falls into the category of "the cure is worse than the disease"! Ugh!