Swollen hands during the half

[wvjules]

Ok so during the half at around mile 6ish my right hand swelled up like a balloon. I couldn't even bend my fingers. (The left was a little swollen but the right was insane!) I looked like I had a Mickey Mouse hand (with 5 fingers lol) What in the heck could have caused that? DD had some mild swelling in her hands as well. It took mine all day to go back to semi-normal. I almost stopped at a med tent but didn't want to not finish so I pressed on.

Im not fond of my time but I did finish and got my medal! Next time I plan on having a goal time. This time my goal was to finish but still a little disappointed anyway. I'm blaming the stomach flu I had before I left for WDW and the fact that I couldn't eat until Thursday night!

 

[MeredithRX]

I've heard of people complaining of that when their electrolytes were out of whack. Either too much or too little. I've heard both ways.

Perhaps the fact that you were getting over the stomach thing and just starting to get nutrition again before the race didn't give you enough time to get all of your levels back to normal and it was harder to keep them stable during the race.

Hopefully it won't happen again.

 

[wvjules]

I googled after I posted and found the same thing. Glad to hear it is normal. I admit I was really scared. It never happened duirng a training run so I was totally unprepared. *whew*

 

[lisah0711]

I had the same thing during a training run this week-end. According to Mayo Clinic it is common and not much you can do about it.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hand-swelling/AN01403

Congrats on your race!

 

[MickeySP]

it has happened to me once, very uncomfortable but it faded quickly too

 

[ohMom]

my hands often swell on long walks --over 7 miles or so

 

[pjlla]

Did you walk or run? My hands swell when I walk, but not noticeably when I run (but of course, I never run more than 6 mi tops). Try putting them up over your head for a minute or two every mile or so to let the fluid drain down.... and don't wear any rings/watch if you can help it.............P

 

[OK!]

First off, hi all! I often read these boards but normally don't post, but just wanted to say that the same thing happens to me during every long walk, especially during races. I did the full marathon this year and was intercepted as soon as I crossed the finish line (also due to my bright red face--I have exercise-induced asthma and get very red when I work out) and sent to the medical tent because they were worried about my hands. I tried explaining to everyone who would listen that it always happens, but they were concerned about dehydration. Once my parents finally found me and my mom vouched for the fact that it happens every single race, then they started to believe me.

But yeah, definitely remember to take the rings off! The staff dr was very worried about mine and wanted me to try to get it off, and I was like, "Dude, have you taken a look at these hot dog fingers? Ain't no way anything's comin' off!"