Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Tuesday Training

Since I made the grand pronouncement last week that I wanted to run a half-marathon, I've made some slow and steady progress. But there's been one setback, and it's kind of a big one. First, the good: I've managed to log at least 3 miles every time I've run on the treadmill. I did take a needed rest day, and I did walk one day. So I haven't gone full force, which is good for me. I tend to charge ahead and burn out. That being said, I did my usual 3 miles Saturday morning and I felt great. It took me about 35 minutes, which is about normal for me. I didn't run very hard. I'm still trying to just run without stopping. But by Saturday night I knew I was dehydrated. I started getting terrible chills. Now this is something I'm very familiar with, and I was planning to write about the pros and cons of training for a half-marathon and putting this dehydration issue at the top of the "cons". I've struggled with this forever. When I was a kid I didn't know what it was, just that I was getting the chills a lot. I assume my parents thought I was sick. I'd freeze during the night, then wake up drenched in sweat. As an adult, I started putting 2 and 2 together and realized that I usually experience this after I worked out. I never feel sick or chilled during my workout, it's only at night when I'm winding down for bed. My doctor seemed kind of nonchalant when he told me I was "just dehydrated," but this happens to me a lot, and it is not pleasant. I know I need to drink more water, but sometimes I just don't feel thirsty and I forget. But come evening when it's too late, I curse myself out for not drinking. I do believe I dehydrate faster than most people. I have no idea why, but it has ruined many a night for me. I really need to get this under control, or running 13 miles will be out of the question. It's very frustrating. So if anyone has any advice for me or has experienced anything similar, I'd love to hear about it.

4 comments:

  1. I get cramps from being dehydrated and the only solution is to train yourself to drink water. It sounds simplistic but it's not. At the beginning I just made myself keep water on/with me at all times.

    If I caught myself out without water I pulled into somewhere and bought one.

    And then you must drink it! ;-) It's the only solution I've found.

    And I think if you're disciplined enough to run a half marathon you're disciplined enough to drink water...

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  2. Oh dear that doesn't sound good. I get really bad headaches when I get dehydrated, the only solution is too drink. I think you are going to have to train yourself to drink whilst you run.

    Well done on the training so far though :O)

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  3. I try to always keep a water bottle with me throughout the day and don't leave the house without my bottle in tow. I find I drink more if I have it with me. And if I go on vacation, one of my first stops after arriving is to buy a case of bottle water. Keep at it and it will become a habit. Slowly :)

    Good for you on training for a half marathon. I have been walking/running every night for over a month and trying to get to the point of running the whole time. I've decided I need better lungs because my legs aren't the issue.

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  4. Thank you Pam, Laney and Kelley! I really appreciate the feedback. You are all right - I have to train myself to drink just as much as I have to train to run. I don't know why it's so hard! I have a water bottle that fits in the treadmill, and I just have to wash it out and use it. And I really should carry water with me all the time so I can keep better track. This is definitely a challenge for me.
    Pam - I hope you are well!

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