I've started to feel ill after longer runs... any tips?

[peeveddoesntcoverit]

I've been running for 4 years now, and have done a few half marathons with no problems. But in the last few months any run over an hour has made me feel really ill. The symptoms start around an hour after I'm back from my run, and I feel sick, I've vomited a few times, awful headache, stomach ache and feeling really weak. The only thing that seems to cure it is vomiting/sleeping.

I'm hydrated, I eat the same things I've been eating before and after for the last few years (including something salty as I know that can sometimes cause problems) and nothing else has changed.

I'm currently curled up on the sofa feeling sorry for myself.

Any tips? Sympathy for my self-inflicted illness?

I would say your body is telling you no so you should probably listen. I know that doesn't help you to do what you want to do.

Peeve, it sounds a bit like some sort of migraine attack?
(as opposed to the kind of under the weather feeling that you can get if you overdo it with endurance exercise)

My ex used to swear by lucozade sports drink as he ran. Otherwise he would get headaches too.

You could try hydration with zero tablets as they replace electrolytes and magnesium.

Also protein after is v important - so nuts etc are your sugar levels too low?

I recon you should try different all three together initially. It will most likely be that you are missing something very simple and your body is a little out of kilter as a result.

how soon after your run do you eat/drink?

can be v important to refuel quickly, any kind of chocolate milk will do if you can't face food

do you feel completely ok during the run?

Hmm I occasionally get this.

This is my experience, totally unscientific and something I intend to discuss with my consultant at my next check up. I'm not a medical professional and it doesn't make sense to me.

I'm diabetic and if I start my run with a slightly low blood sugar level I often find myself feeling sick afterwards, to the point I vomit and need to lie down about an hour afterwards. But, if I check my blood sugar it has often gone higher - to do with my liver releasing glucose during exercise.

I feel fine during the run.

If I have some carbs before I exercise I'm fine. If I manage my blood sugar well after the run I'm fine (either my having something to bring my sugar levels up, taking some insulin or preferably both in combination).

Have you checked blood sugar levels at all?

Wow! Thanks for all the replies!

I feel totally fine during my run, and have tried both refuelling quickly and slowly (in case I was 'overloading' my body with water/food straight after) and it made no difference.

I might try Lucozade though! I normally just have water/Ribena and then fruit or nuts. Will let you know how I get on!

Great! My ex used to run with the lucozade.

I used to get this if I didn't "warm down". Very unpleasant! Apart from that lucozade should help.