Running!!! and Fainting?????

Ok here is my question.  I am in the desert and for the last three months I have been running on the treadmill because well basically its FLIPPIN HOT outside.  LOL

Anyways, I ran outside about 2 months ago in the late afternoon and by the time I walked from the running area to my tent to grab my shower stuff and got into the shower I felt like I had to sit down.  Just lifting my arms was hard.  I started getting very dizzy and felt like I was going to faint.  I figured it was because of the heat and may-be I wasn't as hydrated as I thought. 

Well this morning I got up at 0600 and went running again.  The sun was barely out and it was extremely windy so I only ran for about 20 minutes before I felt like I had to stop.  (Which was depressing in itself) but again I felt fine walked back to my tent and was in the shower when I felt this overwhelming OMG I need to sit down.  I turned off the shower got out and wrapped my towel around me and started drying off but I couldn't even finish without having to sit on the bench and collect myself. 

Now I know this isn't normal.  I drink water all day long so I know I can't be dehydrated...Or could I?  Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I am doing wrong or what could be going on?  This doesn't happen when I run any other time except here lately. 

 

 

I don't know medically what it is that's wrong, but something similar has happened to me in the past. I went for a jog like practically every day all week (25-30 min sessions) and then on like day 5 my stomach muscles just tightened and a sharp searing pain came in my abdomen and I felt exhausted after 20 mins! I was so confused and a bit disappointed, but I stopped running and left it for the rest of the day. I think if this happens it might be your body telling you you need a rest from running - you could try a lower impact sport for longer for a bit...maybe brisk walking or cycling?

So I have been looking on "The Google"...LOL and Web MD.  My symptoms are more likely heat exhaustion and/or dehydration.  I just don't get it though.  I don't drink sodas or coffee or tea or gatorade I drink water all day long so how could I be dehydrated? 

I mean I run inside on the treadmill for 45-60 min and by the time I am done my shirt is drenched in sweat.  But I don't get all faint and oh I need to sit down.  I feel good.  But when I run outside I can only do about half the time and then feel all dizzy. 

I know running outside and on the treadmill are two totally different things.  That is why I wanted to run back outside because when I get home I plan on running outside more.  Do you think that my body has just got acclamated (spelling?) to running inside now? 

I was thinking about walking, I don't have a bike where I am at right now. 

Yeah, maybe it's cause you're just not used to doing it outdoors. Perhaps - this is a possibilty - you're actually running faster outdoors than you would on a treadmill? I mean, a treadmill has a set speed...and you're not really running to anywhere. When I jog (I always jog outside) I have this 'route' or I do laps or something, so it's like, sometimes I speed up without realising if I just want to get it over with and I feel more tired after. Also being outside, in the natural sunlight is different from being inside...i don't know why this would make a difference, but it's possible I guess.

In the desert you tend to sweat and not notice, so even though you may be well hydrated, you might be losing vital salts/electrolytes and this is why you are getting heat exhaustion symptoms.  This can turn into hyponutremia if you then try to down a lot of water after your run to rehydrate without adding in some salts/electrolytes to the mix.  Basically, you get very ill because of the imbalance of fluid to salts/electrolytes in your body.  Maybe try drinking some diluted gatorade either before you run or even during your run.  Or, try eating something fairly salty before your run and see if that helps.  Also, make sure you take it easier than normal when running outside in the heat.  Heat will slow you down quite a bit, so make sure you aren't trying to push too hard.

I get this feeling outside in the sun even when i am not running.. such as at the beach or something.. there's something about all of that bright light in my eyes and on my skin.

Thanks guys for all the great info.  It's helped me to understand a little bit more why that happens.  I think Manta is right about the salt thing.  I did notice when I washed my face later that it seemed saltier than normal.  I will probably try and drink some gatorade before I got out. 

It was just frustrating because I thought I was doing good and to have something like that happen is just disappointing.  So I appreciate all the advice! 

This happens to me ALL the time. You're dehydrated. Make sure you drink a decent amount of water BEFORE you exercise... not enough to make it feel like it's swishing around as you run, but enough to reenergize your body. Drink as you run and drink when you're done. Also, you may be ending your runs abruptly. Make sure you do cool down before stopping completely. Like walk for 5-10 minutes to lower your heart rate.

OMG!, i'm like just saying like i know cause my friends were all like and all like, so you go girl, u know?

Keep in mind, too, that running on a treadmill is substantially easier than running on a track or outside.  When you run on a treadmill, you don't have to hoist all your body weight forward with every step because the machine does it for you.  When you're running outside, you're the one providing the momentum. 

Maybe I didn't explain that very well, but I know that when I run on a treadmill, I can always go faster and longer than outside.  So don't push yourself to do the same speed and distance outside that you would on a treadmill!

What desert do you live in? Do you mean like a desert in Africa, or in the US midwest, or something else? And what's the temperature and humidity levels? 

I live in southern louisiana, so I would imagine the desert would feel a lot different from my weather. It is ridiculously hot here though and the humidity is what kills you! Running in a desert without humidity actually sounds welcoming to me, haha. 

Anyway, you need to slow down your pace. On days when I run on the treadmill because it's raining or something, I'm able to go much faster. You just get tired more quickly outside. I'm a big advocate of running outside, though. I hate the treadmill, plus I think fresh air does good for our bodies!

Don't give up! Even start out by walking for a week or two first to let yourself adjust to the heat. Then slowly pick up your pace. Good luck :)

Um, guys, this is a zombie thread, bumped by someone who apparently only speaks valleygirl.

Original Post by amethystgirl:

Um, guys, this is a zombie thread, bumped by someone who apparently only speaks valleygirl.

I noticed that after I posted. now I feel stupid!!! Why do people bump old threads????