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Fainting after a long run
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Training for the FLM and yesterday completed my 22m long run. Was fine after, spent the day sitting about not doing much.
Took an aspirin before going out for a curry in the evening, whilst there I suddenly developed a painful headache, 10 minutes later I started to black out (whilst sitting down), tried to get some fresh air and fainted once I got outside.
Spent the rest of the evening in bed nursing my monster headache.
Was probably a combination of the aspirin, a warm room and digesting food, but does anyone else suffer from this? I obviously need to take it easy after a long run, but how long does it take to recover?
Took an aspirin before going out for a curry in the evening, whilst there I suddenly developed a painful headache, 10 minutes later I started to black out (whilst sitting down), tried to get some fresh air and fainted once I got outside.
Spent the rest of the evening in bed nursing my monster headache.
Was probably a combination of the aspirin, a warm room and digesting food, but does anyone else suffer from this? I obviously need to take it easy after a long run, but how long does it take to recover?
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Comments
I've often had a monster headache after a long run. Was that you were taking the asprin for in the first place?
The aspirin was to calm down the aching on the front of my right shin (which I'm hoping isn't shin splints).
I don't think the headache was due to dehydration more the fainting. I'm guessing my blood pressure dropped to cause the faint but why does a long run bring it on?
Did you take energy drinks / gels during your run? Had you had plenty to eat after the run?
If not, it is likely to be low blood sugar levels.
The risk of this is greatly increased if one decideds to consume alcohol as this being a depressant also lowers blood pressure - sort of doubling the risk. It's not been uncommon for many marathon runners / Tour De France racers do enjoy a glass of bubbley as they cross the finish line only to nose dive straight into the tarmac almost instantly.
This may or may not have been what happened to you but it's something to consider.
Low blood sugar is also an option - did you feel sick? The brain need glycogen (blood sugar) to function & when you stores are dangerously low (20% 'ish) the brain send out an early warning system & you bonk - ie, you feel dizzy, nautious, you may even get sick / faint if you choose to ignore the warning & soldier on. However I think it's probably unlikely as you fueling with lucozade which, even post run, should get into your system pretty fast
Funny as I was just about to post a similar message so I thought I'd tag on to yours instead, if you don't mind.
I did my last long run today (18 miles) and felt pretty much ok during the run. Got home, started stretching and then felt incredibly nauseous and like I was going to faint. I figured it was low blood sugar so went to start making some lunch, only to pass out on the living room floor. I forced myself to cook but then couldn't eat anything because I was feeling so nauseous.
Finally managed to eat after a lie down and am feeling much better now so I'm fairly sure it was low blood sugar. My question is how can I keep my blood sugar level on a long run if I am feeling nauseous? I had a small bottle of SIS drink on the run and attempted to eat a bit of a sports bar, but couldn't stomach it (began feeling sick at about mile 15). I actually felt my stomach rumbling about 2 hours into the run. The SIS itself is ok, I think (the Lucozade didn't agree with me), but I can't seem to drink that much of it.
Any advice?
Thanks!
The odd thing is that I'd been fine straight after the run, I'd eaten a meal and several chocolate bars throughout the afternoon (plus plenty of water) so I thought I was over it. It was later that I felt faint, I guess it can take longer than you think to recover from the very long runs.
Point noted with the aspirin and the alcohol, think its best to hold off on anything like this until the day after.
Sorry to hear you had the same thing Janey, have you tried Gels? They're a new thing for me but I find they do give you a kick and they're easier to get down than an energy bar. Also, straight after the run I usually shove down a load of berries, blueberries are my fav. and some dried fruit n nuts - seems to hit the spot until I can get the energy back to cook. I couldn't eat after I'd fainted either which just adds to the problem.
Hope you're feeling better.
I always make sure that I have eaten really well the day before I run too. And re-fuel the following day when I know I can eat. I make sure I have lots of snacks every day too. You need to eat enough calories throughout the week to fuel your run not just on the morning.
Not for me it ain't!
The hot spicy food of a curry might just have been too much for your stomach to take following such a strenuous activity.
Suffered a bout of dizziness and a migraine during the final mile.
When I got to the car I ate my banana, drunk water, still felt deflated.
I did not feel better until I had a lie down then lunch.
I have taken into account what other readers have said. I will carry some children's
Lunchbox jelly and yoghurt pouches to maintain my blood sugar and a water bottle
Doing a long run next time.
I think I would find the sports gels over poweringly sweet and sickly.
And it took 10 years to respond