Warning signs after crossing a finish line...what do they mean?

[goofeygirl]

After crossing the finish line for the Goofy this year, I felt cold. I returned to the hotel room and felt nausious. I would later be fine because I went to MK and felt minimal pain.

So here is the list:

Feeling cold?
Like you will vomit?
Muscles cramp?

What do you if this happens when you cross the finish line?

As there is a Dopey challange next year that adds more miles than a Goofy.

 

[davedmaine]

Maybe ask a doctor instead of a bunch of random strangers on a Disney forum?

 

[cewait]

Feeling Cold
Even on a warm day, one can feel cold after an endurance event. The reason (in simple terms) is that blood vessels remain dilated for some period of time post run. The causes heat to continue to be released at a higher than normal rate. Make it a habit to grab the Mylar blanket at the finish just in case you get a chill

Note that a closely related cousin of this is post run fainting. Many runners will clock out just after stopping the run. Many will get that feeling a few moments later. It is created due to dilated vessels and a heart rate that has started to return to normal. You will generally experience these in training if they happen to you. Best word of advice is to grab something as you feel them hit. Though, as a word of caution, seek medical advice if they do occur regularly just to be sure.

Nausea
Lactic acid is a byproduct of exercise. It can be and is used as a minor fuel source during the run as well. When one stops suddenly the LA continues to accumulate but is no longer being used as fuel. At some point in time it may cause nausea. As a trainer, there is a small victory if we can get a client to work legs on a leg day to a point where they feel like they need to rush off to the restroom. The best recourse for this is to keep walking – you will walk the feel off.

Cramping
Cool down cramping will occur when electrolytes are out of balance. Generally, you may have felt a few twinges or even battled them on the run. Though I find that the post run cramps are generally not the ones trying to cramp on the run – but not always. I theorize that the ones that cramp post run are those that were over worked fighting through issues on course. For those who have never experienced them, they will hit suddenly as you relax a muscle. The best example I have experienced was the hip flexors (the muscles in front of the hip). I could feel that they were tight and as I sat on the rear deck of my rental SUV both sides cramped severely; severe enough that I screamed out in pain and grabbed them. Poor Mary asked in a rather loud voice if I was OK – I then had more folks looking at me than I cared to have. Anyway, again a post run walk of 30 minutes or so will lessen the likelihood of these. If during your post run stretch you feel them twinge, do not push through.


Best word of advice is to stay hydrated and understand you electrolytic needs. Through rtraining you should get a feel for this. Always walk post run to warm down. Once you have neared a normal heart rate, stretch.

 

[bumbershoot]

Note that a closely related cousin of this is post run fainting. Many runners will clock out just after stopping the run. Many will get that feeling a few moments later. It is created due to dilated vessels and a heart rate that has started to return to normal. You will generally experience these in training if they happen to you. Best word of advice is to grab something as you feel them hit.

Being a "fainter" (when really sick, when super-hungry, and most recently when I messed up my run, nutrition, hydration AND caffeination all at once), I'll tell you that the BEST thing to do if you feel the feeling is to just sit down. Wherever you are at the end of the race (assuming, of course, you're in a safe place), just get on your bottom.

For me, the fainty feeling is that my ears almost close off; things get progressively quieter, and I usually think something like "ooh I'm really woozy". The instant I think those things, I need to sit down. Usually sitting makes it go away. A few times in my life I ignored it, and ended up on the ground anyway, just not of my own volition. So don't ignore it.



OP, I like that you asked here. I'd rather ask a group of people who know what it's like first-hand, rather than hope you find the right doctor who didn't miss that week of medical school 30 years go when they talked about these things. Or, most likely, it wasn't covered at all in medical school 30 years ago. Heck, last time I checked medical school courses, they have a whopping TWO nutrition courses, and that's at the best schools, and it's general nutrition. Guess what? I've had two nutrition courses, too!

I'd much rather talk to a group of people who have "been there done that", rather than put all of my being into the hands of ONE almost-certainly flawed MD or ND. So good for you for asking!

 

[joan4mickey]

Fainting for me is like everything starts to close in or out. Hearing fades, things start to get darker as I fade...all within a short time...less than 30 seconds, time is hard to judge at that point. It is the same for my son. His is usually due to dehydration or lack of food.
My DD when down right at the end of our first half marathon, the Princess 2009. I think they had an eye on her the last half mile. My other daughter and I were very focused on finishing and encouraging her and holding her hand to finish and just after our finish out of no where the medical were in front of us and she was in a wheel chair. We actually had a great finish, holding hands in air and our photo appeared the the next year's program.

I feel certain they have people/medical all over the course who are trained at recognizing who needs help.

 

[kappyfamily]

Maybe ask a doctor instead of a bunch of random strangers on a Disney forum?

Ummmm, isn't that what a blog is? To ask questions to a bunch of strangers. I can't stand when people try to make other people feel stupid.

 

[cewait]

Good catch... Sitting down is by far safer, but then I am a guy.

I want to add that any issue that concerns a runner that seems unexplained or extraordinary should be followed up with a doctor.

Adding a couple more medical thoughts....

In most large races there are med tent throughout the race that are staffed with folks who are more than capable of handling issues that arise.

There are also mobile medicals on bikes who are there to help and many carry EADs and necessary equipment for initial treatment.

If you are feeling bad STOP at a med tent. It is much better to lose your race and live to tell about it than to crash.

If you notice a fellow runner having issue on-course, ask if they are good. More than likely they will snap out of their funk and respond OK. If you are not convinced, look at their number and as you pass the next tent, poke your head in and ask the workers to look out for bib number xxx.

Finally, a simple device called RoadId may save your life. It has a metal tag with family phone numbers etched in. It also has room for first responder medical info. Simply, it will speak for you in the event you cannot. I recommend the wrist band, ankle band or dog tag. Do not rely on the shoe model. Why, simply look at a news story of a car vs pedestrian and look at what the cameraman is focussing on....shoes. Shoes will easily come off in an accident and if not carried with you to the hospital, your ID is useless.

 

[cewait]

Good catch... Sitting down is by far safer, but then I am a guy.

I want to add that any issue that concerns a runner that seems unexplained or extraordinary should be followed up with a doctor.

Adding a couple more medical thoughts....

In most large races there are med tent throughout the race that are staffed with folks who are more than capable of handling issues that arise.

There are also mobile medicals on bikes who are there to help and many carry EADs and necessary equipment for initial treatment.

If you are feeling bad STOP at a med tent. It is much better to lose your race and live to tell about it than to crash.

If you notice a fellow runner having issue on-course, ask if they are good. More than likely they will snap out of their funk and respond OK. If you are not convinced, look at their number and as you pass the next tent, poke your head in and ask the workers to look out for bib number xxx.

Finally, a simple device called RoadId may save your life. It has a metal tag with family phone numbers etched in. It also has room for first responder medical info. Simply, it will speak for you in the event you cannot. I recommend the wrist band, ankle band or dog tag. Do not rely on the shoe model. Why, simply look at a news story of a car vs pedestrian and look at what the cameraman is focussing on....shoes. Shoes will easily come off in an accident and if not carried with you to the hospital, your ID is useless.

 

[goofeygirl]

Thanks guys. I am trying to get super prepped for Dopey in January. I remember feeling cold and then feeling nausia...and then later my tank top stuck to me so bad I had to cut it off me...but thats besides the point...I did drink chocolate milk when I got back to my room and later that night I felt amazingly better...I walked all around the MK and got off and on rides with no issues. Yes I was sore but....however the next night on Monday I came down with that cold and shaking feeling and went to bed early. It was a tough weekend that I want to be better prepared for.


As for the poster who made a comment about seeking advice from a doctor...I don't waste my time with that. First of all and I would think this would be common sense to most people....the runners on this forum would clearly have first hand knowledge of this experience. Their advice believe it or not would far exceed what a doctor would say...which is take two pills and call me in the morning. Doctors are overloaded with people seeking their advice and remember they are human and their responses are not based on anything real but from a medical book. I think people refer people to doctors way to often...trust me...the average person with life experiences has more knowledge than a doctor...their answer is always to take a pill for something.
Now if it were something truly serious...well..we will see.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

...however the next night on Monday I came down with that cold and shaking feeling and went to bed early.

If these symptoms did not appear until more than 24 hours after the completion of the event, they were probably tied to something other than the physical exertion. By then your body would have had plenty of time to restore its energy reserves (glycogen, etc). Sounds like hydration or electrolyte imbalance issues (or both). Maybe try drinking sports drinks the day after instead of plain water? Find one that you like, because if it tastes good you will drink more.

Good luck - hope you don't experience it again this year.

A few electrolyte imbalance symptoms:

" Dizziness
" Fatigue
" Nausea with or without vomiting
" Trembling
" Constipation
" Dark urine
" Decreased urine output
" Dry mouth and foul breath
" Dry skin
" Lack of perspiration
" Muscle weakness
" Stiff or aching joints

 

[indygirl99]

I want to add that any issue that concerns a runner that seems unexplained or extraordinary should be followed up with a doctor.

I have to agree with this comment from Coach. Yes the runners on here are very familiar with the things that can happen before, during and after a race and have some very helpful suggestions. BUT they do not know your personal medical history. Coach has been a great help for many of us and we appreciate the help he has given.

I am a 50 year old overweight women with a few minor heath concerns. When I decided that I was going to start running and had a half marathon as a goal I did read on this board and picked up many good points. One of which was to check with my doctor.

When I told my doctor that I was learning to run and had a half marathon as a goal she said "Good now here are some things we need to watch for......".

I found out that day that my doctor was also a runner and had recently completed her first marathon. She has a list of physical therapists, massage therapists, and personal trainers that she can refer to for her patients who have running injuries.

When my DH saw his doctor and was talking about running his doc told him "That is a good thing to start but I don't know a lot about running or running injuries. I would suggest we consult with Dr. XXX about strategies." Dr. XXX is my doctor.

So yes check on here for information but don't forget to check out the unusual with a doctor. And if your doctor is not familiar with running or tells you not to run ask for a referral to a doctor who does run and knows about running.

THANKS COACH sometimes we forget to say thanks.

 

[goofeygirl]

If these symptoms did not appear until more than 24 hours after the completion of the event, they were probably tied to something other than the physical exertion. By then your body would have had plenty of time to restore its energy reserves (glycogen, etc). Sounds like hydration or electrolyte imbalance issues (or both). Maybe try drinking sports drinks the day after instead of plain water? Find one that you like, because if it tastes good you will drink more.

Good luck - hope you don't experience it again this year.

A few electrolyte imbalance symptoms:

" Dizziness
" Fatigue
" Nausea with or without vomiting
" Trembling
" Constipation
" Dark urine
" Decreased urine output
" Dry mouth and foul breath
" Dry skin
" Lack of perspiration
" Muscle weakness
" Stiff or aching joints

You know what I think that was.....I was just exhausted. Had to be it. Thinking about the Goofy challenge...well I did the 5k too so we called it a Dopey then...little sleep for those nights...I must have slept a total 15 hours in all those nights...I don't know if that will change in 2014. I get so excited the night before, I cannot sleep...I will do this for several nights and hopefully for the Dopey I will be spent the night before the half and full...
But lack of sleep...definately.

 

[Duanerice]

After crossing the finish line for the Goofy this year, I felt cold. I returned to the hotel room and felt nausious. I would later be fine because I went to MK and felt minimal pain.

So here is the list:

Feeling cold?
Like you will vomit?
Muscles cramp?

What do you if this happens when you cross the finish line?

Shoot, I feel like this at the end of every race. From a 5k to a full Ironman, I almost always have to sit down right after the finish. Walking doesn't do it for me. I need to sit, let my body do what it needs to do then I can go about my business.

But, I usually feel fine in a short time. Just make sure you are hydrated and take plenty of nutrition.
Good luck,
Duane