Hospitalisation

[Deleted User] · April 2003

I'm a little bit embarrassed to admit this, because I was so assiduous in my marathon preps and in my hydration before, during and after the race (so I thought)... But I ended up in Charing X A&E on a drip being treated for dehydration after a nasty bout of shivering, sweating and sickness post-FLM. I'm fine today, though off work, and consuming vast amounts of water and horrible lucozade.

I was running for nearly 7 hours, being somewhat slow (chip time 6:51 - am I the slowest forumite?) and was in the full sun for most of it, which can't have helped, but I'm curious - does this happen often after marathons, or was I exceptionally stupid/misguided about my water intake? I really thought I had taken in enough water - and had got to the stage where I physically couldn't drink any more, however hard I tried.

What do others think?
MB

Helegant · April 2003

I think it was very hot, that the showers were a blessing (why didn't more people run through them?), that it was a shame several water stations were dry, and that I was jolly glad I had a hat to keep the sun off my head, or I would have been ill as well.

I reckon I drank up to a third of every bottle I got (and I took one at every water stop), poured the rest over me to keep cool, and also drank 2 litres of Lucozade that I carried with me, plus some sips from the sachets. It still wasn't enough though and I've been drinking about half a litre an hour since then.

XFR Bear · April 2003

I couldn't understand it - I drank tons and yet my urine was still very dark.

Then afterwards I had to keep peeing behind trees and stuff, and I hadn't had a lot extra to drink once I finished either!

I'd be interested to hear more about the physiology of tthis - how about an article RW?

[Deleted User] · April 2003

Helen - agree with you about the water stations. I know it's impossible to predict quantities for something like this, but there were too many dry stations for my liking in that weather. I was lucky, I had enough friends and family with me that they were able to nip off and buy additional bottles to hand to me, but it's really not on to run out of water in a marathon, especially as loads of the people behind me were charity runners boiling in silly costumes. And there aren't enough pubs en route to guarantee you can fill them up when you need to.
MB

Runner Martin · April 2003

I collapsed at the 24 mile mark and was taken to the Royal Hospital, I was on a drip and blood tests, etc. I was finally let out at about 8.30pm Sunday evening. Fine today but normal pains from a long run.

I thought I had done enough training as I had completed two 20 mile runs, and plenty of halves, I am really fed up today not to have crossed the line and got the medal - I think I was chasing a time of 4 hours too much

So MB well done for at least finishing

RunRabbit RunRabbit · April 2003

I too drank 3/4 of bottle of water at all water stations and drank 3/4 of a bottle of LS at all stations.

I ate a half banana that my sister gave me and ate a packet of energy tabs.

Mind you I couldn't eat anything after the race and for the rest of the day. I know that's not what is recommended but I couldn't face anything.

Showers were wonderful too en route. Remainder of bottled water poured over head and back to keep cool

Wet T-Shirt Competition...

[Deleted User] · April 2003

Martin, I saw a chap collapse between 24 and 25 just under the bridge. Really scary to see as he looked like he was larking around to begin with, putting his arms up in front of him and doing exaggerated staggers. The SJA people tried to get him up but he was in a real state. Heartbreaking to watch, especially at such a late stage and as he was on for a 3.15 ish time. Hope it wasn't you, and hope you and he are both ok now.

It was tooooo hot!

[Deleted User] · April 2003

MB,
I wondered how you got on.
I was 6h 52mins.

I drank most of the bottle of water at every station I could, plus a full pouch of lucozade at every opportunity. I felt really thirsty at several stages and was cursing the empty water stations. I've also been really thirsty today. We must have been running close together, what were you wearing? I had a light blue WaterAid vest on, and was running with my husband the toilet! Did you see us?

[Deleted User] · April 2003

I saw your husb on telly FGS. He must have been mad/bloody boiling. Well done both!

I was so relieved I wasn't doing it in that heat. However, you are inspiring me to have a stab at the ballot next year!

Runner Martin · April 2003

Helen
sounds like it could have been me - As I did try to fight of the SJA for some reason, god knows why - It would have been about 3.15 mins and aiming for the 4.00 fininsh.

Yesterday it was never again today it is must do another to prove to myself I can do it!!!

RunRabbit RunRabbit · April 2003

FGS

Your hubby was taking a gamble and dressing up as a toilet.

By the sound of other threads, I am surprised he wasn't jumped on. It sounds as if some people couldn't be bothered to queue for the toilets... YUUKK

[Deleted User] · April 2003

I'm a very experienced Marathon runner and always prepare well, I hydrated well, drank at every single station, only spent 3 hours and 6 minutes in the sun but still ended up feeling very peculiar in the afternoon. I didn't pee from 9.30am until 5.00pm and then it was very dark and I must have drunk a litre and a half after the finish. It was very, very warm yesterday.

Hilly · April 2003

I too saw a guy go down at the 24-25 mile point. He would have been on for 3.20 ish, could well have been the same man. What an awful shame, hope he was ok!

[Deleted User] · April 2003

I spent Saturday evening in A&E, having an X-ray on an injured ankle. I asked the medics if it was safe to run; the reply was "There's no point in me answering as you're clearly going to run whatever I tell you!". I made it to 15 miles in 2:02, on target for 3:30, but muscles seized up at a toilet stop and I came home in 3:56. I didn't really notice the ankle as the whole body was aching!

[Deleted User] · April 2003

Did you all drink lots of water the day before and the morning before the marathon?

[Deleted User] · April 2003

Felt like gallons of the stuff - probably wasn't enough, had a 'wobbly moment' in the first shower and avoided them after that, but drank loads of water. V hot, wasn't it - hope those of you who visited a&e are now ok.

[Deleted User] · April 2003

Thank you everyone for your reassurance; I'm glad it wasn't just me who dehydrated. And Martin - really sorry to hear about you not finishing.

I drank 3 litres the day before before the marathon, another two or three before race and constantly throughout; water and lucozade at every station. I drank the 75cl bottle of Vittel they gave us afterwards and then threw up, which is when I went to hospital. I can't believe how much liquid I would have needed to avoid hospital!

FGS - I must have seen you, because I definitely saw your husband-the-loo. I was in a turqoise T-shirt with CLARE written in white litres on the front. I have to say after about 18/19 miles I was in my own little zone of knackered sore exhaustion, so I probably wouldn't have noticed someone hitting me in the face I was that gone.
MB

[Deleted User] · April 2003

ML - I have experienced exactly the same as you at a couple of races, the first time at FLM last year (although I managed to finish, without remebering). After having lots of tests and doing research I believe that I suffered from something called hyponatremia, which is basicallly your body reacting to the lack of salt in your body due to you sweating it all out. Taking on lots of water doesn't help either as you are just diluting the salt that is remaining. The US version of runnersworld has a bit on it and it is fairly common for endurance athletes eg Ironman Triathletes to suffer.

I'm glad that you are okay now and hopefully you will be abl eto work out the cause and run worry free in the future.

Runner Martin · April 2003

Spans
I am fine now - and looking for another marathon in the next couple of months as I now have to do one - only 2 miles short but so far.

I will look into this Hyponatremia

[Deleted User] · April 2003

I would look into the salt in the body thing. Had a mate in the Comrades Marathon in SA who completely diluted the salt / nutrients in his blood by OVER-HYDRATING and ended up in a coma after the race a because the symptoms were similar to dehydration it took the hospital a while to diagnose the treatment correctly. Fortunatley he did make a full recovery.

I ran the FLM for Children with Leaukemia for his daughter who is now in remission.

[Deleted User] · April 2003

PS:

I am not saying that you must not hydrate, you need to look at the balance of water and nutrients (sodium etc).

I'm not a specialist so this is just an observation, but am interested in any comments on this?

[Deleted User] · April 2003

I took drinks at every drinks station. My stomach was hurting for the last 5 miles but I still tried to drink. Got round in 4hrs 58mins dressed in blue leather jump suit. I always enjoy running when the sun shines and was o.k. with the heat.

[Deleted User] · April 2003

Fat Girl Slim, I was running with you guys up the final 3 miles and I didn't even know it was you! I was the loud yank running for Asthma. I chatted with Rob some of way. My foot went at mile 2 and I hobbled it to mile 10, then limped the remainder 16 and spent a couple of hours in casualty yesterday with a bruided nerve in my foot. Wasn't is rather cr&p that we had to dodge tourists, climb stairs, guess the correct path in the end?
Martin, I'm so sorry, I wanted that medal more than anything. I thought of crawling at one point ;-)

[Deleted User] · April 2003

I hope you have all recovered! I saw someone having a convulsion at about 19 miles (I didn't stop since a couple of praiseworthy runners and SJA were looking after her), and thought about hyponatraemia.

I started off the race feeling as if my bladder was part-full from the pre-race PG Tips, but decided to defer a loo stop for as long as possible. I'd downed a litre of water by 8 miles, then probably another half-litre by half-way, and some sweets, and only had sips after that. When I went to the loo at 22 miles due to trots, there was almost nothing in my bladder and I don't think I needed to pee until after getting on the coach at 8pm. But I didn't feel unwell at any time.

I think there should be serious consideration given to opening extra water stops in the last 6-8 miles for people who have been on their feet for several hours and still have two hours or more to go before they finish. They (it was me last year) are the ones who need the water at the end most of all. For the faster runners, hydrating in the first half is far more important.

[Deleted User] · April 2003

DW, I remember talking to you and walking with you towards the end. I was the other fellow Asthma runner that you linked arms with along the Embankment - do you remember. I got to the end in 6hrs 45. I hope to do better next year if I get in. I wasn't very impressed either that we had to dodge in and out of the tourists and climb stairs as well!!! and that they had ran out of water at various drinks stations too!

[Deleted User] · April 2003

MB - glad you're ok in the end. I was wondering how you'd done. Really pleased you got round.

I nearly struggled with water and walked most of the last bit. If i hadn't I probably been with you in charing X. Lets hope for a chillier marathon next year

)

[Deleted User] · April 2003

Hi Jennifer, wasn't the spirit absolutely wonderful near the end? The support from the other runners was amazing. My family followed me a bit on the Strand. Funny, the could walk faster than I could limp. haahaha. When I got past the Asthma crowd, for some unknown reason, I grabbed a bunch of balloons. I wonder what my finish photo will look like :-)

[Deleted User] · April 2003

DW, I ended up with a punch of balloons as well. I'll be looking out for my photo on the website when they are on. Hope the foot gets better soon. Will you be there next year?!

[Deleted User] · April 2003

Jen, I'll be there! If I don't get in, I'll marshall. Ether way, I'll be there to support us runners.

Armadillo · April 2003

The only person I know who ended up in hospital on Sunday was one of the boy scouts helping out on baggage truck 39000-40500. He fell off the stepladders leading up to the truck and broke his wrist and ended up in St Thomas A&E Department.

[Deleted User] · April 2003

Poor little fella, did the chop a tree down to make a streacher and make a splint out of twigs?

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