Post-Ironman ailments
I completed IMLP on Sunday. About halfway through the bike leg, I began to feel a bit nauseous. Well, it continued throughout the race. No vomiting or other manifestations, but I still feel mildly nauseous four days later. It's the same feeling as morning sickness while pregnant. (No, I'm not!) Another thing is it is still hard to take a deep breath. Suggestions as to problem and solution?
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Feeling nauseous is usually a sign of being dehydrated. It can also be a sign of needing more sodium and or calories in general. If you crossed that finish line dehydrated or under your sodium count I suppose its possible that you would still feel nauseous on Thursday, although that does seem like a long time. I did IMLP in 2011 as my first and it took me a good week to feel normal again. After upping my calories and switching to sports drink only for IMFL 2012 I felt better after 48 hours although I was still really tired.
If I were to guess, your issue of it being hard to take a deep breath is related to your entire cardio system having recently been over taxed. I have had feelings post Ironman for a day or two of being able to feel my heart beat in a way that wasn't quite normal. A few days later and the body recovers from the massive effort of doing an ironman.
Its also possible that you are just Sick with some sort of low grade stomach bug.
Congrats on the race, EAT, DRINK, and TAKE A NAP...
That being said, my experience leads me to think that Nate is on the right track. I raced Wildflower earlier this year. The event was very hot. Over 100 degrees the week of the race. It's a camping trip and I was not able to focus on hydration the day before the race. As a result, I got to the starting line a little dehydrated, I am sure. As a result, I was completely zonked out on the bike. I was tied and yawning and by the end of the bike in 100 degree heat I was nauseous, wrung out and miserable. The run was just terrible. I was weak, nauseous and tired.
After the race, I had no appetite. I was really thirsty, but the thought of food made me sick for hours. I drank about 4 liters of fluid in the 1-2 hours after the race, but had no need to urinate. Finally, very late in the evening I was able to produce a few ounces of very dark yellow urine. The next day, after drinking 4-5 more liters of fluid, I finally started to urinate regularly. However, my stomach still felt "off". The "off" feeling and lack of appetite continued for several more days. By about Saturday after the race I felt 100%, but that week I was just a bit queasy all week.
Consider seeing a doctor if you still feel bad, but I think rest, fluid and rest is the answer.
My nausea intensified on the run, but I never vomited, but neither did I have to pee. I suspect lack of calories could have been an issue, as I only had one GU before trying a few pretzels, which felt terrible. I switched to flat coke, remembering that my mom gave me that for stomach aches as a child. But, by mile 18, I realized I was losing mental focus as well, so I knew I had to figure something out. I decided to hit the chicken broth every mile for the next 3. I think I needed the sodium. I got my focus back and was able to run more than walk it in at the end.
The pizza looked horrible at the finish. I had some watermelon. Perhaps I should have forced food down. I went to bed having only had fruit, but I did start eating again in the morning. The vague nausea is over now. I gained back the pounds I lost during race.
My lungs also feel good, but it took several days. This was my first IM, but I did have lung trouble after the Half IM's I did.
How many times did you Pee on the bike?? You didn't pee on the run, so if your answer is less than say, 3 for the bike, I think the dehydration and sodium delpletion is what got you.
For my IM #2, I was determined to continue my nutrition plan past the finish line so I could recover better. I piece of pizza and some chips right after the race. This was hard. I then drank a protein smoothie, banana, and half a sandwich in the condo after IMFL. Huge breakfast the next morning.
You not having anything significant to eat that night after the race may have also lead to the symptoms dragging out a bit.
Your experience sounds like how I felt after IMLP 2012. It was a disaster for me. It felt like someone excavated my chest cavity with a backhoe for about a month afterward.
I fully expected to feel the same way last Sunday night at IMMT. I was completely floored by my realization that it didn't happen this time. The keys were a better nutrition plan (and sticking with it) and better execution on the bike, which set me up for a miraculous run. Feel better soon.
@ Peter: Congrats on you IMMT finish and your PR there! Great job!!